Sentinel SAR Data and In-Situ-Based High-Resolution Above-Ground Carbon Stocks Estimation Within the Open Forests of Ramgarh District

Abstract

The present study deals with an approach to estimate the above ground biomass (AGB) to assess the total carbon stock of forest cover present in Ramgarh district using remote sensing and GIS techniques. Due to the fact that biomass estimation is one of the most influential biophysical parameters in traditional carbon sequestration techniques, satellite remote sensing plays an important role in AGB and carbon stock estimation. Presently, AGB is estimated using Sentinel1A SAR data in conjunction with in-situ field data, which is conducted in 20 different sites within the forest area. Biomass is calculated for each plot, and a correlation analysis is performed with the backscatter value obtained from SAR data to generate an allometric equation that is used to calculate the AGB and carbon stock for the entire forest cover. Both Polarization VV and VH are correlated with field data in which cross-polarized backscatter value shown a stronger correlation of 0.75 (R2 Value). C-band is proved to be the best band for the estimation of biomass and carbon stock in tropical mixed forests.