Advanced search
Start date
Betweenand
Related content
(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Evaluating spatial coverage of data on the aboveground biomass in undisturbed forests in the Brazilian Amazon

Full text
Author(s):
Tejada, Graciela [1] ; Gorgens, Eric Bastos [2] ; Espirito-Santo, Fernando Del Bon [3, 4] ; Cantinho, Roberta Zecchini [5] ; Ometto, Jean Pierre [1]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Natl Inst Space Res INPE, Earth Syst Sci Ctr CCST, Av Astronautas 1758, BR-12227010 Sao Jose Dos Campos, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Fed Vales Jequitinhonha & Mucuri, Dept Forestry Engn, Campus JK, Rod MGT 367, Km 583 5000, BR-39100000 Diamantina, MG - Brazil
[3] Univ Leicester, CLCR, Sch Geog Geol & Environm, Univ Rd, Leicester LE1 7RH, Leics - England
[4] Univ Leicester, LISEO, Sch Geog Geol & Environm, Univ Rd, Leicester LE1 7RH, Leics - England
[5] UNDP, SEN 802, 17 Conj C St, BR-70800400 Brasilia, DF - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 5
Document type: Journal article
Source: Carbon Balance and Management; v. 14, n. 1 SEP 3 2019.
Web of Science Citations: 1
Abstract

Background Brazilian Amazon forests contain a large stock of carbon that could be released into the atmosphere as a result of land use and cover change. To quantify the carbon stocks, Brazil has forest inventory plots from different sources, but they are unstandardized and not always available to the scientific community. Considering the Brazilian Amazon extension, the use of remote sensing, combined with forest inventory plots, is one of the best options to estimate forest aboveground biomass (AGB). Nevertheless, the combination of limited forest inventory data and different remote sensing products has resulted in significant differences in the spatial distribution of AGB estimates. This study evaluates the spatial coverage of AGB data (forest inventory plots, AGB maps and remote sensing products) in undisturbed forests in the Brazilian Amazon. Additionally, we analyze the interconnection between these data and AGB stakeholders producing the information. Specifically, we provide the first benchmark of the existing field plots in terms of their size, frequency, and spatial distribution. Results We synthesized the coverage of forest inventory plots, AGB maps and airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) transects of the Brazilian Amazon. Although several extensive forest inventories have been implemented, these AGB data cover a small fraction of this region (e.g., central Amazon remains largely uncovered). Although the use of new technology such as airborne LiDAR cover a significant extension of AGB surveys, these data and forest plots represent only 1% of the entire forest area of the Brazilian Amazon. Conclusions Considering that several institutions involved in forest inventories of the Brazilian Amazon have different goals, protocols, and time frames for forest surveys, forest inventory data of the Brazilian Amazon remain unstandardized. Research funding agencies have a very important role in establishing a clear sharing policy to make data free and open as well as in harmonizing the collection procedure. Nevertheless, the use of old and new forest inventory plots combined with airborne LiDAR data and satellite images will likely reduce the uncertainty of the AGB distribution of the Brazilian Amazon. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 18/18493-7 - Correlation between greenhouse gases, natural processes and land use in the Amazon Basin region
Grantee:Graciela Tejada Pinell
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
FAPESP's process: 13/20616-6 - Brazilian Amazon forest biomass assessment for the modeling of the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of deforestation-driven carbon emissions (INPE-EM)
Grantee:Graciela Tejada Pinell
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate