Carbon losses from land cover change in Australia: a role for SAR

Abstract

The integration of JERS-1 SAR and Landsat TM data for quantifying and mapping carbon losses associated with vegetation clearance near Injune, central Queensland, Australia, is outlined. Above ground biomass (including stem and leaf components) was estimated for 70 plots by applying allometric equations to measurements of tree size taken in July, 1997. Significant Pearson's product moment correlation coefficients were derived between foliage biomass and Landsat TM NDVI and stem biomass and the JERS-1 SAR backscatter coefficient. To estimate above ground biomass, a simple regression model integrating both JERS-1 SAR backscatter and NDVI data was derived. For a property in central Queensland, spatial estimates of biomass were generated by applying the model to segmented JERS-1 SAR data. These estimates were combined with the Queensland Statewide Landcover And Trees Study (SLATS) land cover change data sets to estimate carbon losses associated with vegetation clearance between 1995 and 1997.