A Novel Method for Estimating Biomass and Carbon Sequestration in Tropical Rainforest Areas Based on Remote Sensing Imagery: A Case Study in the Kon Ha Nung Plateau, Vietnam

Abstract

Forest ecosystems play a key role in sustaining life on this planet, given their functions in carbon storage, oxygen production, and the water cycle. To date, calculations of the biomass and carbon absorption capacity of forest ecosystems—especially tropical rainforests—have been quite limited, especially in Vietnam. By applying remote sensing materials, geographic information systems (GIS) facilitate the synchronized estimation of both biomass and ability of forest ecosystems to absorb carbon over large spatial ranges. In this study, we calculated the biomass of tropical rainforest vegetation in the Kon Ha Nung Plateau, Vietnam, according to four regression models based on Sentinel-2 satellite image data, forest reserve maps, and forest survey standard cell data (including 19 standard cells for 2016 and 44 standard cells for 2021). The results of the data comparison for the four biomass computing models (log-log, log-lin, lin-log, and lin-lin) demonstrated that the models with the highest accuracy were the lin-log model for 2016 (with a correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.76) and the lin-log model for 2021 (with a correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.765). Based on the analytical results and the selection of biomass estimation models, biomass maps were developed for the Kon Ha Nung Plateau area, Vietnam, in 2016 and 2021, with a predominant biomass value of 80–180 tons/ha (Mg/ha); furthermore, biomass fluctuations were analyzed for the period 2016–2021. Accordingly, the ability to absorb carbon and CO2 equivalents in this research area for 2016 and 2021 was calculated based on the estimated biomass values. In summary, we present a method for estimating biomass via four basic linear regression models for tropical rainforest areas based on satellite image data. This method can serve as a basis for managers to calculate and synchronize the payment of carbon services, which contributes to promoting the livelihoods of local people.

Application of mathematical modeling in forest ecological protection

“…Specific forest management strategies can improve carbon sequestration capacity and soil carbon storage [4] . In addition, based on Sentinel-2 satellite image data, forest reserve map and forest survey standard unit data, Dang Hoi Nguyen et al calculated the vegetation biomass of tropical rain forest in Kon Ha Nung Plateau of Vietnam according to four regression models, providing a new method for the calculation of forest carbon storage [5] . Tree growth model is an effective method to estimate carbon sequestration.…”

Prediction of Urban Trees Planting Base on Guided Cellular Automata to Enhance the Connection of Green Infrastructure

“…There are different types of forests on the planet, such as tropical rainforests, temperate rainforests, temperate deciduous broadleaf forests, and temperate coniferous forests. The biodiversity and carbon storage capacity of forests at different latitudes also differ [22,23]. The Amazon basin is particularly rich and is the largest ecosystem carbon sink on Earth that could help mitigate carbon emissions [24,25].…”