Quantifying spatial-temporal changes of aboveground carbon stocks using Landsat time series data: A case study of Miombo woodlands

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Abstract
There is a need for accurate reporting of the second-growth forest in accounting for the contribution of secondary forests to achieving global carbon sequestration strategies. This study develops a model relating aboveground live biomass (AGLB) to Landsat reflectance measurements, and this method is used on multi spatial-temporal Landsat data (1998, 2001, 2004, 2011 and 2016) to assess changes in Miombo woodlands in Zambia. Results showed that the enhanced vegetation index was a better predictor of AGLB (r2 = 0.96; RMSE = 0.24 t ha−1) than the other assessed vegetation indices. Forest carbon stocks increased by an average rate of 3.65 ± standard error (SE): 0.56 t ha−1 yr−1 from 1998 to 2001, but a continual decline was evident for the periods 2001–2004 (−0.60 t ha−1 yr−1), 2004–2011 (−0.88 t ha−1 yr−1) and 2011–2016 (−2.03 t ha−1 yr−1). The study provides an empirical model for evaluating carbon stock changes.
Funding Information
  • National Research Foundation (101435)

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