Mapping data gaps to estimate biomass across Brazilian Amazon forests

Autor(es)

Tejada, Graciela ^[1] ; Gorgens, Eric Bastos ^[2] ; Ovando, Alex ^[3] ; Ometto, Jean Pierre ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Natl Inst Space Res INPE, Earth Syst Sci Ctr CCST, Av Astronautas 1758, Sao Jose De Campos 12227010, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Vales Jequitinhonha & Mucuri, Dept Forestry Engn, Campus JK, Rod MGT 367, Km 583, 5000 Alto Jacuba, Diamantina 39100000, MG - Brazil

^[3] Natl Ctr Monitoring & Early Warning Nat Disasters, Estrada Doutor Alino Bondesani 500, Sao Jose Dos Campos 12247016, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: FOREST ECOSYSTEMS; v. 7, n. 1 APR 22 2020.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

Background Tropical forests play a fundamental role in the provision of diverse ecosystem services, such as biodiversity, climate and air quality regulation, freshwater provision, carbon cycling, agricultural support and culture. To understand the role of forests in the carbon balance, aboveground biomass (AGB) estimates are needed. Given the importance of Brazilian tropical forests, there is an urgent need to improve AGB estimates to support the Brazilian commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Many AGB maps and datasets exist, varying in availability, scale and coverage. Thus, stakeholders, policy makers and scientists must decide which AGB product, dataset or combination of data to use for their particular goals. In this study, we assessed the gaps in the spatial AGB data across the Brazilian Amazon forests not only to orient the decision makers about the data that are currently available but also to provide a guide for future initiatives. Results We obtained a map of the gaps in the forest AGB spatial data for the Brazilian Amazon using statistics and differences between AGB maps and a spatial multicriteria evaluation that considered the current AGB datasets. The AGB spatial data gap map represents areas with good coverage of AGB data and, consequently, the main gaps or priority areas where further biomass assessments should focus, including the northeast of Amazon State, Amapa and northeast of Para. Additionally, by quantifying the variability in both the AGB maps and field data on multiple environmental factors, we provide valuable elements for understanding the current AGB data as a function of climate, soil, vegetation and geomorphology. Conclusions The map of AGB data gaps could become a useful tool for policy makers and different stakeholders working on National Communications, Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+), or carbon emissions modeling to prioritize places to implement further AGB assessments. Only 0.2% of the Amazon biome forest is sampled, and extensive effort is necessary to improve what we know about the tropical forest. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 13/20616-6 - Avaliação da biomassa florestal Amazônica brasileira para a modelagem da heterogeneidade espacial e temporal das emissões de carbono do desmatamento (INPE-EM)
• Beneficiário: Graciela Tejada Pinell
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 18/18493-7 - Correlação entre gases de efeito estufa, processos naturais e uso da terra na região da Bacia Amazônica
• Beneficiário: Graciela Tejada Pinell
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado