Remote-Sensed Tree Crown Diameter as a Predictor of Stem Diameter and Above-Ground Biomass in Betula pendula Roth and Populus tremuloides Michx. × Populus tremula L. Plantations

Toms Artūrs Štāls (), Arta Bārdule, Kārlis Dūmiņš, Kristaps Makovskis and Dagnija Lazdiņa
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Toms Artūrs Štāls: Latvian State Forest Research Institute Silava, LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia
Arta Bārdule: Latvian State Forest Research Institute Silava, LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia
Kārlis Dūmiņš: Latvian State Forest Research Institute Silava, LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia
Kristaps Makovskis: Latvian State Forest Research Institute Silava, LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia
Dagnija Lazdiņa: Latvian State Forest Research Institute Silava, LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia

Land, 2023, vol. 12, issue 11, 1-14

Abstract: Striving for climate neutrality and wider implementation of climate change mitigation measures including tree introduction in agricultural land, request for approaches and general allometric models for estimating carbon (C) stock in tree above-ground biomass (AGB) based on relatively easily obtainable remote sensing data is increasing. Here, we present estimates of individual trees’ crown diameters (CDs) for Betula pendula Roth ( B. pendula ) and Populus tremuloides Michx. × Populus tremula L. ( P. tremuloides × P. tremula ) in 11-year-old tree plantations (tree height ranged up to 12.8 and 18.1 m, respectively) in the hemiboreal region of Europe (in Latvia). Individual trees’ CDs were measured using a drone orthophoto map. Afterwards, linear equations were developed to predict individual trees’ stem diameters at breast height (DBHs) and, consequently, tree AGB (which was then converted to C stock) from remote-sensed tree CD data. RMSEs of the prediction models of tree stem DBH were in the ranges of 1.87–2.12 cm for B. pendula and 2.50–3.12 cm for P. tremuloides × P. tremula . This demonstrated approach is applicable to carry out, for instance, a self-assessment and approximate C stock in the AGB of selected tree species by land owners, managers, and other implementers of climate change mitigation measures.

Keywords: tree crown; maximum diameter; stem diameter at breast height; remote-sensing approach; drone orthophoto map; competitive conditions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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