Are inventory based and remotely sensed above-ground biomass estimates consistent?

ABSTRACT: Carbon emissions resulting from deforestation and forest degradation are poorly known at local, national and global scales. In part, this lack of knowledge results from uncertain above-ground biomass estimates. It is generally assumed that using more sophisticated methods of estimating above-ground biomass, which make use of remote sensing, will improve accuracy. We examine this assumption by calculating, and then comparing, above-ground biomass area density (AGBD) estimates from studies with differing levels of methodological sophistication. We consider estimates based on information from nine different studies at the scale of Africa, Mozambique and a 1160 km(2) study area within Mozambique. The true AGBD is not known for these scales and so accuracy cannot be determined. Instead we consi

SUBMITTER: Hill TC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3777937 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature