Combining TanDEM-X Interferometry and GEDI Space LiDAR for Estimation of Forest Biomass Change in Tanzania

The background for this study is the limitations of the conventional approach of using deforestation area multiplied by biomass densities or emission factors. We demonstrated how TanDEM-X and GEDI data can be combined to estimate forest Above Ground Biomass (AGB) change at the national scale for Tan...

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Main Authors: Svein Solberg, Belachew Gizachew, Laura Innice Duncanson, Paromita Basak
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Remote Sensing
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/15/2623
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author Svein Solberg
Belachew Gizachew
Laura Innice Duncanson
Paromita Basak
author_facet Svein Solberg
Belachew Gizachew
Laura Innice Duncanson
Paromita Basak
author_sort Svein Solberg
collection DOAJ
description The background for this study is the limitations of the conventional approach of using deforestation area multiplied by biomass densities or emission factors. We demonstrated how TanDEM-X and GEDI data can be combined to estimate forest Above Ground Biomass (AGB) change at the national scale for Tanzania. The results can be further recalculated to estimate CO<sub>2</sub> emissions and removals from the forest. We used repeated short wavelength, InSAR DEMs from TanDEM-X to derive changes in forest canopy height and combined this with GEDI data to convert such height changes to AGB changes. We estimated AGB change during 2012–2019 to be −2.96 ± 2.44 MT per year. This result cannot be validated, because the true value is unknown. However, we corroborated the results by comparing with other approaches, other datasets, and the results of other studies. In conclusion, TanDEM-X and GEDI can be combined to derive reliable temporal change in AGB at large scales such as a country. An important advantage of the method is that it is not required to have a representative field inventory plot network nor a full coverage DTM. A limitation for applying this method now is the lack of frequent and systematic InSAR elevation data.
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spelling doaj-art-177d96f10e684bfe96166b6289430c862025-08-20T03:36:22ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922025-07-011715262310.3390/rs17152623Combining TanDEM-X Interferometry and GEDI Space LiDAR for Estimation of Forest Biomass Change in TanzaniaSvein Solberg0Belachew Gizachew1Laura Innice Duncanson2Paromita Basak3Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), Pb 115, 1431 Ås, NorwayNorwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), Pb 115, 1431 Ås, NorwayDepartment of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD 20742, USADepartment of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD 20742, USAThe background for this study is the limitations of the conventional approach of using deforestation area multiplied by biomass densities or emission factors. We demonstrated how TanDEM-X and GEDI data can be combined to estimate forest Above Ground Biomass (AGB) change at the national scale for Tanzania. The results can be further recalculated to estimate CO<sub>2</sub> emissions and removals from the forest. We used repeated short wavelength, InSAR DEMs from TanDEM-X to derive changes in forest canopy height and combined this with GEDI data to convert such height changes to AGB changes. We estimated AGB change during 2012–2019 to be −2.96 ± 2.44 MT per year. This result cannot be validated, because the true value is unknown. However, we corroborated the results by comparing with other approaches, other datasets, and the results of other studies. In conclusion, TanDEM-X and GEDI can be combined to derive reliable temporal change in AGB at large scales such as a country. An important advantage of the method is that it is not required to have a representative field inventory plot network nor a full coverage DTM. A limitation for applying this method now is the lack of frequent and systematic InSAR elevation data.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/15/2623InSARTanDEM-XDEMGEDIlidartemporal change
spellingShingle Svein Solberg
Belachew Gizachew
Laura Innice Duncanson
Paromita Basak
Combining TanDEM-X Interferometry and GEDI Space LiDAR for Estimation of Forest Biomass Change in Tanzania
Remote Sensing
InSAR
TanDEM-X
DEM
GEDI
lidar
temporal change
title Combining TanDEM-X Interferometry and GEDI Space LiDAR for Estimation of Forest Biomass Change in Tanzania
title_full Combining TanDEM-X Interferometry and GEDI Space LiDAR for Estimation of Forest Biomass Change in Tanzania
title_fullStr Combining TanDEM-X Interferometry and GEDI Space LiDAR for Estimation of Forest Biomass Change in Tanzania
title_full_unstemmed Combining TanDEM-X Interferometry and GEDI Space LiDAR for Estimation of Forest Biomass Change in Tanzania
title_short Combining TanDEM-X Interferometry and GEDI Space LiDAR for Estimation of Forest Biomass Change in Tanzania
title_sort combining tandem x interferometry and gedi space lidar for estimation of forest biomass change in tanzania
topic InSAR
TanDEM-X
DEM
GEDI
lidar
temporal change
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/15/2623
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