Characterizing tropical forest regeneration in Cameroon using NOAA AVHRR data

Abstract

To facilitate estimation of the carbon sink associated with tropical forests in Cameroon, regenerating and mature forests were mapped using an unsupervised classification of AVHRR channels 1, 2 and 3. Stages of regeneration were defined using nonlinear relationships between AVHRR channel 3 radiance and basal area, estimated using data collected from 183 plots (1 ha in size) in an area south-east of the capital, Yaounde. The overall extent and patterns of regenerating forest were comparable to those generated in previous studies. Older stages of regeneration could not, however, be discriminated adequately from mature forest, suggesting that areas of tropical forest disturbance may be underestimated when mapped using AVHRR data. closed tropical forests were regenerating and that their rate of expansion million ha y 1. These regenerating forests accumulate biomass more rapidly