Estimation of aboveground biomass of savanna trees using quantitative structure models and close-range photogrammetry

In efforts to mitigate climate change and optimize resource management, the demand for accurate aboveground biomass (AGB) estimates has significantly increased. Traditional AGB estimation methods rely on allometric models, which have inherent limitations. Recent advancements in remote sensing techno...

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Main Authors: Finagnon Gabin Laly, Gilbert Atindogbe, Hospice Afouda Akpo, Noël Houédougbé Fonton
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:Trees, Forests and People
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666719325000196
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author Finagnon Gabin Laly
Gilbert Atindogbe
Hospice Afouda Akpo
Noël Houédougbé Fonton
author_facet Finagnon Gabin Laly
Gilbert Atindogbe
Hospice Afouda Akpo
Noël Houédougbé Fonton
author_sort Finagnon Gabin Laly
collection DOAJ
description In efforts to mitigate climate change and optimize resource management, the demand for accurate aboveground biomass (AGB) estimates has significantly increased. Traditional AGB estimation methods rely on allometric models, which have inherent limitations. Recent advancements in remote sensing technologies present new opportunities for obtaining precise and nondestructive AGB data. This study evaluated the accuracy of AGB estimates derived from close-range photogrammetry (CRP), comparing it with destructive sampling and allometric equations. Thirty trees from five Sudanian savanna species, spanning six diameter classes, were photographed with a handheld camera. Images were processed to reconstruct 3D models of the trees, from which tree volume was calculated using quantitative structure models (QSM) and converted to AGB with species-specific wood density. Agreement between reference and estimated AGB was assessed using coefficient of variation of root mean square error (RMSE%), mean absolute bias (MAB) and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). CRP-derived AGB closely matched with reference data (RMSE% = 23.4%, CCC = 0.98, MAB = 241 kg) and outperformed pantropical (RMSE% = 81.6%, CCC = 0.62, MAB = 694 kg) and regional (RMSE% = 74.3%, CCC = 0.70, MAB = 640 kg) allometric models. Accuracy varied by tree size, with CRP performing best for trees with DBH ≥ 30 cm. These results demonstrate CRP's effectiveness in AGB estimation for Sudanian savanna trees and its potential for timely, accurate, and scalable assessments across diverse ecosystems.
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spelling doaj-art-c84ead7cdf08461b839eb50a6c116a8b2025-08-20T02:00:33ZengElsevierTrees, Forests and People2666-71932025-03-011910079110.1016/j.tfp.2025.100791Estimation of aboveground biomass of savanna trees using quantitative structure models and close-range photogrammetryFinagnon Gabin Laly0Gilbert Atindogbe1Hospice Afouda Akpo2Noël Houédougbé Fonton3Correspondence author at: ORCID: 0000-0001-9440-1259 01 BP 526, Cotonou, Benin.; Laboratory of Applied Statistics and Biometrics, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526, Cotonou, BeninLaboratory of Applied Statistics and Biometrics, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526, Cotonou, BeninLaboratory of Applied Statistics and Biometrics, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526, Cotonou, BeninLaboratory of Applied Statistics and Biometrics, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526, Cotonou, BeninIn efforts to mitigate climate change and optimize resource management, the demand for accurate aboveground biomass (AGB) estimates has significantly increased. Traditional AGB estimation methods rely on allometric models, which have inherent limitations. Recent advancements in remote sensing technologies present new opportunities for obtaining precise and nondestructive AGB data. This study evaluated the accuracy of AGB estimates derived from close-range photogrammetry (CRP), comparing it with destructive sampling and allometric equations. Thirty trees from five Sudanian savanna species, spanning six diameter classes, were photographed with a handheld camera. Images were processed to reconstruct 3D models of the trees, from which tree volume was calculated using quantitative structure models (QSM) and converted to AGB with species-specific wood density. Agreement between reference and estimated AGB was assessed using coefficient of variation of root mean square error (RMSE%), mean absolute bias (MAB) and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). CRP-derived AGB closely matched with reference data (RMSE% = 23.4%, CCC = 0.98, MAB = 241 kg) and outperformed pantropical (RMSE% = 81.6%, CCC = 0.62, MAB = 694 kg) and regional (RMSE% = 74.3%, CCC = 0.70, MAB = 640 kg) allometric models. Accuracy varied by tree size, with CRP performing best for trees with DBH ≥ 30 cm. These results demonstrate CRP's effectiveness in AGB estimation for Sudanian savanna trees and its potential for timely, accurate, and scalable assessments across diverse ecosystems.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666719325000196Close-range photogrammetryAbove-ground biomassAllometric modelsQuantitative structure modelsSudanian savannas tree species
spellingShingle Finagnon Gabin Laly
Gilbert Atindogbe
Hospice Afouda Akpo
Noël Houédougbé Fonton
Estimation of aboveground biomass of savanna trees using quantitative structure models and close-range photogrammetry
Trees, Forests and People
Close-range photogrammetry
Above-ground biomass
Allometric models
Quantitative structure models
Sudanian savannas tree species
title Estimation of aboveground biomass of savanna trees using quantitative structure models and close-range photogrammetry
title_full Estimation of aboveground biomass of savanna trees using quantitative structure models and close-range photogrammetry
title_fullStr Estimation of aboveground biomass of savanna trees using quantitative structure models and close-range photogrammetry
title_full_unstemmed Estimation of aboveground biomass of savanna trees using quantitative structure models and close-range photogrammetry
title_short Estimation of aboveground biomass of savanna trees using quantitative structure models and close-range photogrammetry
title_sort estimation of aboveground biomass of savanna trees using quantitative structure models and close range photogrammetry
topic Close-range photogrammetry
Above-ground biomass
Allometric models
Quantitative structure models
Sudanian savannas tree species
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666719325000196
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AT hospiceafoudaakpo estimationofabovegroundbiomassofsavannatreesusingquantitativestructuremodelsandcloserangephotogrammetry
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