Geospatial Strategy for Tropical Forest-Wildlife Reserve Biomass Estimation

This study focus on the biomass estimation of Sariska Wildlife Reserve using forest inventory and geospatial approaches to develop a model based on the statistical correlation between biomass measured at plot level and the associated spectral characteristics. The multistage statistical technique with incorporated the satellite data of IRS P-6 LISS III gives a precise estimation of biomass. Forest cover, forest stratum, and biomass maps were generated in the study. Spectral signatures along with tonal and textural variations were used to classify different forest types validated with GPS and ground truth data. Altitude dependent vegetation and contour information from toposheets were also considered while classifying imagery during interpretation. Sample plots were laid in study area with 0.1 ha area at intersect of the diagonals of the plots. DBH and height of all the trees inside the plot were measured and converted to biomass using volumetric equations depending upon specific gravity. The specific gravity of each tree species differ from each other and sometimes unique in different regions and varies from forest type of different regions. Estimation of tree biomass can serve as useful benchmark for future studies in related areas. Linear equation obtained was used as the model to generate final biomass map where predicted and estimated biomass were compared for each band of the satellite imageries. Linear, logarithm and power exponential models were compared to each other for correlation coefficient. Correlation between estimated and predicted AGB is 0.835 and coefficient of determination (r²) value is 0.698.