A tree-based approach to biomass estimation from remote sensing data in a tropical agricultural landscape

Introduction

Due to increasing agricultural landcover throughout the world, it is critical to develop methods that estimate above ground biomass and carbon in order to accurately monitor terrestrial carbon stocks and predicting carbo dynamics. This paper claims that while active remote sensing data may be a means to achieve these estimates, the plot-based methods may not be suitable for these agricultural areas. Thus, the authors seek an alternative. 

Goals & Methods

The goal of this study is to quantify above ground biomass of a tropical forest landscape using a tree-based method. The study uses remote sensinc data collected in the Azuero Peninsula of Panama and applies the model to tree-crown polygons. The aggragate above ground biomass from this method was then compared to the plot-based method. 

Conclusions & Takeaways

The study found that above ground biomass measurements significantly differed between the tree-based method and the plot-based methods. The authors conclude that the former method needs to be continually used and developed.