Modelling the Above-Ground Biomass (AGB) of Eucalyptus Plantations using WorldView-2 Imagery in Sabah, Malaysia

Abstract

Forest plantations are established not only to provide supply of demands, but also to help mitigate climate change. Satellite remote sensing can be used to estimate above ground biomass (AGB). This study was conducted in Eucalyptus plantations in Sabah, Malaysia. Satellite images from WorldView-2 were acquired as primary data. Allometric functions were used to calculate the AGB. The individual bands and vegetation indices were used as predictor variables. From the analysis, the ‘best’ predictive model for AGB was . The predictive model recorded an I2=0.71, RMSE=0.44 tha-1 and p=0.001. The predicted AGB ranged from 4 to 225 tha-1.