Estimation of above ground forest biomass from airborne discrete return laser scanner data using canopy-based quantile estimators

A conceptual model describing why laser height metrics derived from airborne discrete return laser scanner data are highly correlated with above ground biomass is proposed. Following from this conceptual model, the concept of canopy-based quantile estimators of above ground forest biomass is introdu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scandinavian journal of forest research 2004-12, Vol.19 (6), p.558-570
Main Authors: Lim, K.S, Treitz, P.M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Above ground forest biomass
airborne laser scanners
airborne laser scanning
biomass
canopy heights
equations
estimation
forest inventory
forest structure
forest trees
forests
hardwood
height
image analysis
laser altimetry
lasers
leaf area
LIDAR
measurement
overstory
prediction
quantile estimators
remote sensing
spatial data
stand characteristics
statistical models
tree and stand measurements
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Summary:A conceptual model describing why laser height metrics derived from airborne discrete return laser scanner data are highly correlated with above ground biomass is proposed. Following from this conceptual model, the concept of canopy-based quantile estimators of above ground forest biomass is introduced and applied to an uneven-aged, mature to overmature, tolerant hardwood forest. Results from using the 0th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 100th percentiles of the distributions of laser canopy heights to estimate above ground biomass are reported. A comparison of the five models for each dependent variable group did not reveal any overt differences between models with respect to their predictive capabilities. The coefficient of determination (r 2 ) for each model is greater than 0.80 and any two models may differ at most by up to 9%. Differences in root-mean-square error (RMSE) between models for above ground total, stem wood, stem bark, live branch and foliage biomass were 8.1, 5.1, 2.9, 2.1 and 1.1 Mg ha −1 , respectively.
ISSN:0282-7581
1651-1891
DOI:10.1080/02827580410019490