Author: Thomas U. Omali and Sylvester M.B. Akpata
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Forest biomass consists of the Above-Ground Biomass (AGB) and Below-Ground Biomass (BGB). The AGB attracts more attention in terms of biomass assessment because it is the major pool of total living forest biomass and it is the most directly subjected to deforestation and forest degradation. Carbon emissions into the atmosphere as a result of deforestation and forest degradation are major factors in global warming and climate change. There are several instruments and methods employed to monitor the forest biomass such as forest inventories, and remote sensing. This review provides important contribution to the literature on the methods for estimating the above-ground biomass and carbon stocks. Data for the study was collected using reliable academic digital databases. Through the data search, numerous output sources were found. The relevant literature were chosen, read, arranged, assessed, and used for the citation. The outcome of this review signifies that the conventional forest inventory affords the most accurate scheme for estimating the AGB and carbon stocks. It is however characterised with many limitations such as high labour costs, more time, environmental destruction, and others. Nevertheless, application of remote sensing has ameliorate the situation. Remote sensing offers an effective approach by allowing stratification of forest type and canopy density. Also, its repeated coverage offers the temporal dataset required for change analysis
Allometric, Carbon emission, Forest inventory, Sample plots, Sequestration, Remote sensing
In this review, we show that a wide range of efforts have been and are being made towards offering the methods and data for the assessment of AGB and carbon stocks. However, no study has systematically evaluated the adequacy of current or potential systems for reliable assessment of the AGB and carbon stocks at national, regional or local levels. Though the traditional forest inventory technique is the most accurate method for monitoring the AGB and carbon stocks, it comes with a lot of drawbacks, including high labour costs, time commitments, environmental damage, and others. Nonetheless, the development of remote sensing has made multispectral, hyperspectral, LiDAR, and radar data accessible for multidisciplinary applications. By enabling stratification of forest type and canopy density, remote sensing provides an effective and affordable method of monitoring the AGB and carbon stocks. It can be used to reliably and efficiently gather vegetation data over wide areas, particularly those that are inaccessible. Its recurrent coverage offers the temporal dataset required for change analysis, and its digital data format allows for easy integration for additional analysis into a GIS environment
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Thomas U. Omali and Sylvester M.B. Akpata (2025). Methods for Estimation of the Above-ground Biomass and Carbon Stocks: A Comprehensive Review. International Journal of Theoretical & Applied Sciences, 17(2): 12–21
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