Abstract
ABSTRACT According to previous studies involving biometric variables modeling using remote sensing (RS), data did not consider the effects of anthropogenic disturbance as relevant factor. The main objective of this study was to model aboveground biomass (AGB) and total wood volume (TWV) of Brazilian Savanna biome using vegetation indices (VI) from LANDSAT 5 TM. Multiple linear regression (MLR) and random forest (RF) algorithm were applied across 641 field plots of cerrado sensu stricto of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, comparing two models: non-stratified, and stratified according to plot’s anthropization degree. AGB and TWV obtained from non-anthropized plots presented linear relation with VIs (R2 = 0.82 and 0.74, respectively) and, on the other hand, presented nonlinear relation when plots were affected by anthropogenic disturbances or were not stratified. This finding helps improving estimates by stratifying plots into their anthropization degree, mainly in the Brazilian Savanna biome undergoing anthropogenic disturbances.
Highlights
The Savanna biome represents a large area in Brazil, occupying the central part of the country, totaling about 204 million ha (Sano et al, 2010)
aboveground biomass (AGB) and total wood volume (TWV) obtained from non-anthropized plots presented linear relation with vegetation indices (VI) (R2 = 0.82 and 0.74, respectively) and, on the other hand, presented nonlinear relation when plots were affected by anthropogenic disturbances or were not stratified
Weak correlations in non-stratified and stratified methods in anthropized areas were found. This result clearly shows how anthropogenic disturbances impact the correlation between biometric variables and spectral indices. This is an indication that the disturbance degree in a biome such as the Savanna, in cerrado sensu stricto vegetation type, affects the correlation between remote sensing vegetation indices with aboveground biomass (Figure 3) and total wood volume (Figure 4), leading to problems in the modelling process
Summary
The Savanna biome represents a large area in Brazil, occupying the central part of the country, totaling about 204 million ha (Sano et al, 2010). In the state of Minas Gerais, savanna is a significant portion of the territory, with estimated area of 33 million ha (Scolforo et al, 2015) This biome is among the most endangered eco-regions in the world due to high conversion rates (Bueno et al, 2019; Silveira et al, 2019a) and few protected areas (Hoekstra et al, 2005). In addition to anthropogenic disturbance, as the state has large dimensions, the physiognomy grows in places with different climatic and soil conditions. These two sources of variation make it even more difficult to accurately evaluate biometric data
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
