Hattab M. auteur aut IRD Zribi L. auteur aut IRD Semmar N. auteur aut IRD Bahri H. auteur aut IRD Nasr Z. auteur aut IRD Mouillot Florent auteur aut IRD Sadfi N. auteur aut IRD Gharbi F. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access Shrubs constitute an important, yet often underestimated component of forest ecosystem carbon stocks, particularly in Mediterranean regions. Resprouting shrub species further strengthen this role through substantial belowground carbon reserves, a mechanism that remains insufficiently investigated. This study investigated shrub biomass and carbon storage in two contrasting stand ages, a young site (YS) and aged site (AS) of a Quercus suber (cork oak) forest in northwestern Tunisia. Species-specific allometric equations were developed for dominant shrubs (Pistacia lentiscus, Myrtus communis, Erica arborea) to estimate aboveground (AGB), belowground (BGB) and total biomass using dendrometric variables (height, basal diameter, crown diameters). Nonlinear models provided the best predictive accuracy. Biomass and carbon stocks increased significantly with stand age. Total shrub biomass was 9.12 Mg ha-1 (4.96 Mg C ha-1) in YS and 32.55 Mg ha-1 (19.15 Mg C ha-1) in AS, with 1.6% in belowground compartment of total forest biomass for YS and 6.0% for AS. Litter carbon storage was higher in AS (5.05 Mg C ha-1) than YS (3.96 Mg C ha-1), while soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks were substantial with 302.61 and 457.77 Mg C ha-1 in YS and AS, respectively. These findings highlight the significant carbon sequestration potential of resprouting shrubs in Mediterranean forests. specialized Allometric equations Biomass Carbon stocks Resprouting Shrub Soil organic carbon TUNISIE ZONE MEDITERRANEENNE 082 076 145 3 49 [16 p.] 2026 1612-4669 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010096526 10.1007/s10342-026-01881-x 1612-4669 [F B010096526] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010096526 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2026-04/010096526.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2026-04-15 2026-04-15 fdi:010096526 fre