Aboveground biomass estimation of tropical peat swamp forests using SAR and optical data | IEEE Conference Publication | IEEE Xplore

Aboveground biomass estimation of tropical peat swamp forests using SAR and optical data


Abstract:

Climate change mitigation mechanisms, such as REDD+, which aim at avoiding deforestation and forest degradation, require an accurate aboveground biomass (AGB) monitoring....Show More

Abstract:

Climate change mitigation mechanisms, such as REDD+, which aim at avoiding deforestation and forest degradation, require an accurate aboveground biomass (AGB) monitoring. In the present study, multi-temporal X-(TerraSAR-X) and L-band (ALOS PALSAR) SAR data and a multispectral RapidEye image were analyzed for their ability to estimate AGB in a tropical forested peatland area in Central Kalimantan on Borneo, Indonesia. Field inventory AGB data was used to calibrate regression models based on SAR backscatter values and spectral unmixed fractions of the RapidEye image. The independent validation indicated that the estimated AGB using optical data is more accurate (RMSE=44%) than the SAR estimated AGB (RMSE=82%). AGB derived from RapidEye data overestimates AGB on burned areas, but these estimations depict degradation through low impact selective logging. The SAR model estimated AGB accurately in lower biomass ranges and on burned scars.
Date of Conference: 22-27 July 2012
Date Added to IEEE Xplore: 10 November 2012
ISBN Information:

ISSN Information:

Conference Location: Munich, Germany

1. INTRODUCTION

REDD+ aims at reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, forest carbon stock enhancement, sustainable management of forests and forest conservation and requires a thorough forest monitoring. The carbon stock is generally derived from aboveground biomass (AGB) estimates by assuming a carbon content of dry biomass of 50% [1]. Peat swamp forests make a significant contribution to the carbon reservoir with the AGB and belowground peat deposits and are therefore a focus of REDD+. In Indonesia, peatlands cover 10.8% of the land surface and comprise app. 55 Gt of carbon [2];[3]. Many peatlands have been drained and deforested, mainly for agricultural development, thereby releasing carbon into the atmosphere. Indonesia emitted app. 518 Mt CO2 from peat decomposition in drained peatland in 2006 [4].

References

References is not available for this document.