Assessing relationship of forest biophysical factors with NDVI for carbon management in key coniferous strata of temperate Himalayas

Akhlaq Amin Wani (), Amir Farooq Bhat, Aaasif Ali Gatoo, Shiba Zahoor, Basira Mehraj, Naveed Najam, Qaisar Shafi Wani, M A Islam, Shah Murtaza, Moonisa Aslam Dervash and P K Joshi
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Akhlaq Amin Wani: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir
Amir Farooq Bhat: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir
Aaasif Ali Gatoo: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir
Shiba Zahoor: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir
Basira Mehraj: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir
Naveed Najam: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir
Qaisar Shafi Wani: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir
M A Islam: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir
Shah Murtaza: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir
Moonisa Aslam Dervash: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir
P K Joshi: Jawaharlal Nehru University

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 2021, vol. 26, issue 1, No 1, 22 pages

Abstract: Abstract Assessing biophysical variables are essential for evaluation of carbon dynamics due to anthropogenic activities. Biomass carbon is an important biophysical parameter of forest ecosystems that indicates carbon mitigation and human–forest interactions. Spectral modeling approach was used to assess the relation of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) with biomass carbon, crown density, tree density, slope, altitude, aspect, species, and forest division in temperate conifer region of Himalaya. Field inventory was recorded from 188 biomass plots of 0.1 ha each across the study area. NDVI was observed to have a positive relation with aboveground biomass carbon, crown density, tree density, and altitude. The NDVI and ABC values ranged from (0.11 to 0.43) and (1.54 to 276.82 t ha−1), respectively. Among the aspects, highest and lowest average NDVI was observed for south east (0.289) and north (0.258), respectively. Similarly highest and lowest average aboveground biomass carbon was observed for north east (72.63 t ha−1) and east (44.30 t ha−1), respectively. NDVI expressed a fairly good relation with biophysical parameters including altitude, aspect, crown density, tree density, species, and location (forest division). NDVI using principal tree species composition (forest type) revealed a relation with aboveground biomass carbon for Cedrus deodara (R2 = 0.63), Mixed I (R2 = 0.61), Pinus wallichiana (R2 = 0.57), and Mixed-II (R2 = 0.48). NDVI demonstrates potential to understand biomass carbon variability through establishment of relations with forest biophysical parameters using spectral modeling approach. Varying NDVI can be ascribed to vegetation canopy density, number of stems, species, and altitude. The database and established relations would help indicate biomass carbon dynamics and enable to adopt site-specific management. The study further helps draw inferences on mitigation and adaptation perspectives in view of varying biophysical conditions that occur in a forest.

Keywords: NDVI; Biomass carbon; Biophysical factors; Himalayan temperate conifers; Mitigation; Adaptation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1007/s11027-021-09937-6

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