Abstract
Forest stand height (FSH), or average canopy height, serves as an important indicator for forest monitoring. The information provided about above-ground biomass for greenhouse gas emissions reporting and estimating carbon storage is relevant for reporting for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). A novel forest height estimation method utilizing a fusion of backscatter and Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) data from JAXA’s Advanced Land Observing Satellite Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (ALOS PALSAR) is applied to a use case in Savannakhet, Lao. Compared with LiDAR, the estimated height from the fusion method had an RMSE of 4.90 m and an R2 of 0.26. These results are comparable to previous studies using SAR estimation techniques. Despite limitations of data quality and quantity, the Savannakhet, Lao use case demonstrates the applicability of these techniques utilizing L-band SAR data for estimating FSH in tropical forests and can be used as a springboard for use of L-band data from the future NASA-ISRO SAR (NISAR) mission.
Highlights
This study examines the application of an Forest stand height (FSH) estimation method that combines backscatter and interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) (InSAR) techniques to estimate FSH in a tropical forest in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR)
The backscatter, Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), and fusion-based FSH estimates are compared in a kernel density plot with the GEDI, Global Land Analysis and Discovery (GLAD), and LiDAR-based heights as well as through the error metrics: R2, root mean square error (RMSE), and bias (Figure 7)
Heights above 13 m, the category including the greatest area for all three estimation methods, are distributed spatially in approximately the same locations, a pixel-by-pixel inspection reveals that the methods do not produce exactly the same results
Summary
The Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) committed to the REDD+ program (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation plus the sustainable management of forests, and the conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks), in. Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) program, REDD+ aims to provide incentives for the reduction of emissions caused by deforestation and forest degradation [2]. Through these incentives for participating member countries, the REDD+ program aims to protect and enhance the capacity of forests to act as natural carbon sinks [3]. Since 2007, the institutional landscape implementing REDD+ in Lao PDR has evolved Emission Level (FREL) is an integral component of REDD+, providing a baseline for evaluating the impact of REDD+ activities through changes in emissions [4].
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 call
