Modelling above-ground biomass estimation using combination of vegetation height and forest canopy density at secondary peat swamp forest of Kalimantan

Abstract

Rapid estimation of carbon stock, particularly carbon from Above-Ground Biomass (AGB) in a high-potential carbon forest, is required to assess potential carbon emission projects. Satellite imagery has been widely used as the main data source to rapidly estimate AGB. Canopy Height (CH) data from NASA’s Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) and Forest Canopy Density (FCD) data from satellite Landsat 8 imagery are widely used to estimate AGB. An allometric model with multiple linear regression equations has been used to estimate the AGB value using both parameters of the FCD value and the CH value. 43 values of calculated AGB by non-destructive field survey located in a peat swamp forest area use as a training dataset to develop an allometric model. The CH and FCD indices performed several tests, and the test result met the requirements for developing allometric equations. The coefficient correlation (r) of CH and AGB from 43 sample plots is 0.546, indicating a moderate correlation. The coefficient correlation (r) for FCD and AGB is 0.267 which indicates a weak correlation. The validation test was carried out to assess AGB from the developed allometric model and AGB of field survey with a non-destructive method. The validation result of the allometric model has the value of coefficient correlation (r), RMSE, and R2, respectively 0.569; 22.235; and 0.324. In terms of allometric model validation, another forest with typical conditions, particularly basal area, the model’s AGB result, and the validated area have RMSE 46.506 and r value 0.664.