Submit to Forests Review for Forests Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Biomass Estimation and Carbon Stocks in Forest Ecosystems: 2nd Edition

Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Ecology and Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2024) | Viewed by 14175

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Andrzej Węgiel

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Forest Management, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 28, 60-637 Poznań, Poland
Interests: forest management; biomass estimation; forest inventory; remote sensing; forest ecology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Adrian Łukowski

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, University of Life Sciences, 60-637 Poznań, Poland
Interests: silviculture ecophysiology; game management; plant–insect interactions; shrub species; particulate matter pollution; climate change and forestry; invasive species; social dimensions of forestry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Forest biomass and carbon are key elements in the development of climate change mitigation strategies. Due to the growing demand for renewable energy, there is also a growing interest in the wider use of forest biomass for energy as a possible substitute for fossil fuels. The use of woody biomass as an energy source can make a significant contribution to mitigating climate change. Forest biomass estimation is also important in the evaluation of carbon sequestration and the carbon balance capacity of forest ecosystems. Forests, being the most important carbon sink, are a good tool to reduce the carbon content of the atmosphere. Estimating the amount of carbon stored by forests is essential to support climate change mitigation and promote the transition to a low-carbon-emission economy.

This Special Issue aims to present updated knowledge relating to biomass estimation and carbon storage in forest ecosystems. The topics will include:

Advanced methods for forest biomass modelling, mapping, and estimation;
Linking field and remote sensing measurements;
Biomass components of forest ecosystems: tree compartments, vegetation, fungi, bacteria, soil fauna, etc.;
Modelling growth and biomass production;
Effects of forest management practices on biomass allocation;
Forest biomass utilization;
Factors influencing carbon and nutrient storage.

Dr. Andrzej Węgiel
Dr. Adrian Łukowski
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

biomass allocation
allometric equations
growth models
biomass expansion factors
remote sensing
bioenergy
carbon and nutrient storage
ecosystem biodiversity
soil productivity
forest management

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (10 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

11 pages, 1823 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Determinants of Deadwood Biomass under the Background of Nitrogen and Water Addition in Warm Temperate Forests

by Liang Hong, Shouzheng Tang, Tao Li, Liyong Fu, Xinyu Song, Guangshuang Duan, Jueming Fu and Lei Ma

Forests 2024, 15(8), 1464; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15081464 - 20 Aug 2024

Viewed by 555

Abstract

Climate change is exacerbating the vulnerability of temperate forests to severe disturbances, potentially increasing tree mortality rates. Despite the significance of this issue, there has been a lack of comprehensive research on tree survival across extensive forest areas under the background of global climate change. To fill this gap, we conducted a detailed analysis of tree survival within a canopy nitrogen and water addition experimental platform in central China, utilizing data from two censuses and evaluating contributing factors. Our findings revealed 283 dead trees within the plots, predominantly of very small diameters (1–10 cm). The distribution of these dead trees varied among subplots, influenced by both biotic and abiotic factors. Notably, three dominant tree species were responsible for 64.8% of the deadwood biomass. The study determined that both the breast diameter and the quantity of dead trees, affected by surrounding trees and environmental conditions, played a critical role in deadwood biomass accumulation. This research offers an in-depth examination of deadwood biomass patterns in a temperate forest, highlighting the need to consider both experiment treatments and abiotic elements like topography in studies of forest ecosystem carbon. The insights gained from this study enhance our understanding of warm temperate forests’ role in the global carbon cycle and offer valuable guidance for forest conservation and management strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Estimation and Carbon Stocks in Forest Ecosystems: 2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 3083 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Needle Biomass Turnover Rate in Scots Pine Stands of Different Ages

by Mieczysław Turski, Ignacy Korczyński, Adrian Łukowski and Andrzej Węgiel

Forests 2024, 15(8), 1454; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15081454 - 18 Aug 2024

Viewed by 497

Abstract

Understanding needle biomass turnover rates in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands is crucial for modelling forest ecosystem dynamics and nutrient cycling. This study examined needle litterfall and biomass turnover in Scots pine stands of varying ages in temperate forests (western Poland). The research focused on determining how stand age affects needle biomass, litterfall and the associated turnover rates. Data were collected from 20 Scots pine stands aged 26 to 90 years, and needle litterfall was measured and analysed in relation to stand characteristics such as age, density and biomass. The average annual needle litter production of the sampled Scots pine stands was 2008 kg·ha⁻¹·year⁻¹, similar to the values previously reported for this tree species in other temperate forests in Europe. The average needle biomass turnover rate for sampled Scots pine stands was 23.4%. We could not support the hypothesis that this parameter depended on the age of the Scots pine stand. The needle biomass turnover rate showed a positive correlation with crown length and a negative correlation with stand density due to the very weak correlations; however, further research is needed to confirm these relationships. Despite this, the parameter can be used to estimate needle litterfall and can be applicable to conditions corresponding to those of temperate forests in Central and Western Europe. This study also highlights the need for further research on needle biomass turnover in temperate forests to improve the accuracy of carbon and nutrient cycling models. This work contributes to a deeper understanding of the role of needle litterfall in maintaining soil fertility and forest productivity, offering insights into sustainable forest management and conservation strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Estimation and Carbon Stocks in Forest Ecosystems: 2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 8365 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biomass and Carbon Stock Capacity of Robinia pseudoacacia Plantations at Different Densities on the Loess Plateau

by Yawei Hu, Jiongchang Zhao, Yang Li, Peng Tang, Zhou Yang, Jianjun Zhang and Ruoxiu Sun

Forests 2024, 15(7), 1242; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15071242 - 17 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 616

Abstract

Forests make an important contribution to the global carbon cycle and climate regulation. Caijiachuan watershed false acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia Linn.) plantation forests have been created for 30 years, but a series of problems have arisen due to the irrationality of the density involved at that time. To precisely assess the contribution of R. pseudoacacia plantations with different densities to this cycle, we measured the diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height (H), biomass, and carbon stocks in trees, shrubs, herbs, litter, and soil across different density ranges, denoted as D1 = 900–1400, D2 = 1401–1900, D3 = 1901–2400, D4 = 2401–2900, and D5 = 2901–3400 trees ha⁻¹. In order to achieve the purpose of accurately estimating the biomass, carbon stocks and the contribution rate of each part in different densities of R. pseudoacacia plantations were measured. The results are as follows: (1) Both DBH and H decreased with increasing density, and field surveys were much more difficult and less accurate for H than DBH. Based on the two allometric growth models, it was found that the determination coefficient of the biomass model that incorporated both H and DBH (0.90) closely resembled that of the model using only DBH (0.89), with an error margin of only 0.04%. (2) At the sample scale, stand density significantly affected R. pseudoacacia stem biomass and total biomass. At the individual plant scale, stand density significantly affected R. pseudoacacia organ biomass. Increasing stand densities promoted the accumulation of vegetation biomass within the sample plot but did not improve the growth of individual R. pseudoacacia trees. The stem biomass constituted the majority of the total R. pseudoacacia biomass (58.25%–60.62%); the total R. pseudoacacia biomass represented a significant portion of the vegetation biomass (93.02%–97.37%). (3) The total carbon stock in the sample plots tended to increase with increasing stand density, indicating a positive correlation between density and the carbon stock of the whole plantation forest ecosystem. Hence, in future R. pseudoacacia plantations, appropriate densities should be selected based on specific objectives. For wood utilization, a planting density of 900–1400 trees ha⁻¹ should be controlled. For carbon fixation, an initial planting density of 2900–3400 trees ha⁻¹ should be selected for R. pseudoacacia. This study provides theoretical support for local forest management and how to better sequester carbon. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Estimation and Carbon Stocks in Forest Ecosystems: 2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 4823 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Urban Above-Ground Vegetation Carbon Density Mapping: An Integrated Approach Incorporating De-Shadowing, Spectral Unmixing, and Machine Learning

by Guangping Qie, Jianneng Ye, Guangxing Wang and Minzi Wang

Forests 2024, 15(3), 480; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15030480 - 4 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1445

Abstract

Accurately mapping urban above-ground vegetation carbon density presents challenges due to fragmented landscapes, mixed pixels, and shadows induced by buildings and mountains. To address these issues, a novel methodological framework is introduced, utilizing a linear spectral unmixing analysis (LSUA) for shadow removal and vegetation information extraction from mixed pixels. Parametric and nonparametric models, incorporating LSUA-derived vegetation fraction, are compared, including linear stepwise regression, logistic model-based stepwise regression, k-Nearest Neighbors, Decision Trees, and Random Forests. Applied in Shenzhen, China, the framework integrates Landsat 8, Pleiades 1A & 1B, DEM, and field measurements. Among the key findings, the shadow removal algorithm is effective in mountainous areas, while LSUA-enhanced models improve urban vegetation carbon density mapping, albeit with marginal gains. Integrating kNN and RF with LSUA reduces errors, and Decision Trees, especially when integrated with LSUA, outperform other models. This study underscores the potential of the proposed framework, particularly the integration of Decision Trees with LSUA, for advancing the accuracy of urban vegetation carbon density mapping. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Estimation and Carbon Stocks in Forest Ecosystems: 2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 4338 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Wood Density Variation and Biomass Allocation in Accurate Forest Carbon Stock Estimation of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Mountain Forests

by Stefan Petrea, Gheorghe Raul Radu, Cosmin Ion Braga, Alexandru Bogdan Cucu, Tibor Serban, Alexandru Zaharia, Dan Pepelea, Gruita Ienasoiu and Ion Catalin Petritan

Forests 2024, 15(3), 404; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15030404 - 20 Feb 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1617

Abstract

The European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is one of the most common tree species in Romania, with importance both economically and environmentally. Accurate methods of biomass assessment at the tree compartment level (i.e., stump, stem, branches, and leaves) are necessary for carbon stock estimation. Wood density (WD) is an important factor in determining biomass and, ultimately, the tree’s carbon content. The average tree density was found to be 578.6 kg/m³. For this study, WD was evaluated by the weighting method related to tree volume. Also, to investigate a practical approach to determining the weighted wood density (WWD_st), models were run using density at the base of the tree (WD_Base), density at breast height level using discs (WD_DBH), the wood core density (WD_ic), and the diameter at breast height (DBH) as predictors. The biomass assessment was conducted using different model evaluations for WWD_st as well as allometric equations using the destructive method. From the results, it was noted that using the WWD_st, the total biomass was underestimated by −0.7% compared to the biomass measured in the field. For allometric equations that included DBH and tree height as independent variables, the explained variability was around 99.3% for total aboveground biomass (AGB_total), while it was 97.9% for allometric function using just the DBH. Overall, the distribution of biomass across different compartments was as follows: 73.5% in stems, 23.8% in branches, 1.9% in stumps, and 1.3% in leaves. The study findings offer valuable insights into WD, biomass distribution among different components, and biomass allometric quantification in natural beech forest environments in mountainous areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Estimation and Carbon Stocks in Forest Ecosystems: 2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 3072 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pedodiversity and Organic Matter Dynamics in the North Apennines (Italy): Relationships among Soil Types, Biodiversity, and Ecological Functionality

by Livia Vittori Antisari, Mauro De Feudis, William Trenti, Gloria Falsone, Federico Puliga, Alessandra Zambonelli, Giulia Tabanelli and Fausto Gardini

Forests 2024, 15(2), 353; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15020353 - 11 Feb 2024

Viewed by 1098

Abstract

Pedodiversity is generally neglected in studies concerning soil organic carbon (SOC). Therefore, this investigation aimed to explore the effect of soil types on the following: (1) soil processes related to organic matter (OM) dynamics along the profile; and (2) the microbial community and functionality within the uppermost horizon. Humic Dystrudepts (HD), Typic Dystrudepts (TD), and Humic Lithic Dystrudepts (HLD) were selected in beech forests of the Apennine ridge in the Emilia-Romagna Region (Italy). Soils were sampled by horizons until parent material, and physico-chemical and functional analyses were performed. The results showed that both HD and HLD soils had a higher SOC accumulation than TD, particularly within the deeper horizons. Such accumulation might be due to the lower turnover rate of soil OM forms, namely fulvic acid-like substances, humic acid-like substances, and non-extractable OM. Noteworthy, the A horizons showed slight differences in SOC among the soil types, suggesting similar SOC decomposition processes. This fact was confirmed by the lack of differences in microbial DNA-based diversity and functionality. This study highlighted the importance of combining pedodiversity and microbial diversity for a wider perspective on SOC dynamics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Estimation and Carbon Stocks in Forest Ecosystems: 2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 4368 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Irrigation on Biomass Partitioning in Above- and Belowground Organs of Trees Planted in Desert Sites of Mongolia

by Ser-Oddamba Byambadorj, Byung Bae Park, Sarangua Lkhagvasuren, Enkhchimeg Tsedensodnom, Otgonsaikhan Byambasuren, Altankhundaga Khajid, Donato Chiatante and Batkhuu Nyam-Osor

Forests 2024, 15(1), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15010046 - 25 Dec 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1604

Abstract

Planting trees is considered a crucial factor in mitigating the increase in carbon emissions in the atmosphere by generating plant biomass. In addition to advancing our understanding of how tree biomass is allocated in desert environments, we explore potential variations in biomass partitioning based on the irrigation regimes (4, 8, and 12 L h⁻¹) supporting the growth of these trees. Specifically, this study compares the pattern of biomass distribution between above-ground and belowground organs of 11-year-old trees (U. pumila, E. moorcroftii, and T. ramosissima) planted in a desert site in Mongolia. An interesting result of this study is the demonstration that biomass partitioning among roots of different diameter classes differs between the tree species tested, suggesting that each tree species establishes its own type of root/soil interaction. The differences in biomass partitioning in roots could determine specificity in the strength of anchorage and efficiency of nutrition for the trees. We also demonstrate that the presence of plantations influences certain chemical properties of the desert soil, with differences depending on the tree species planted. In addition to presenting a method for planting trees in desert sites, this study underscores that a reliable evaluation of atmospheric carbon sequestration in trees must necessarily include root excavation to obtain an accurate measurement of biomass stored in belowground structures. Assessing the overall biomass produced by these trees allows us to determine the potential for carbon sequestration achievable through plantations established in desert sites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Estimation and Carbon Stocks in Forest Ecosystems: 2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 15127 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Estimation of Above-Ground Biomass for Pinus densata Using Multi-Source Time Series in Shangri-La Considering Seasonal Effects

by Chaoqing Chen, Yunrun He, Jialong Zhang, Dongfan Xu, Dongyang Han, Yi Liao, Libin Luo, Chenkai Teng and Tangyan Yin

Forests 2023, 14(9), 1747; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14091747 - 29 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1684

Abstract

Forest above-ground biomass (AGB) is the basis of terrestrial carbon storage estimation, and making full use of the seasonal characteristics of remote sensing imagery can improve the estimation accuracy. In this study, we used multi-source time series and sample plots with the Random Forest (RF) model to estimate the AGB. The sources included Sentinel-1 (S-1), Sentinel-2 (S-2), and the S-1 and S-2 combination (S-1S-2). Time series included single season, annual, and multi-season. This study aims to (1) explore the optimal image acquisition season to estimate AGB; (2) determine whether the ability to estimate the AGB of multi-seasonal imagery exceeded that of annual and single-season imagery; (3) discover the sensitivity of different data to AGB according to phenological conditions. The results showed that: (1) images acquired in autumn were more useful for AGB estimation than spring, summer, and winter; (2) the S-1 multi-seasonal AGB model had higher accuracy than the annual or single-season one; (3) in autumn and spring, S-1 had higher estimation accuracy than S-2, and in autumn and spring, estimation accuracy from S-1S-2 was higher than that from S-1 and S-2; (4) in 16 AGB estimation models, the best estimation accuracy was achieved by the autumn AGB model from S-1S-2 (R² = 0.90, RMSE = 16.26 t/ha, p = 0.82, and rRMSE = 18.97). This study could be useful to identify the optimal image acquisition season for AGB estimation, thus reducing the economic cost of image acquisition and improving the estimation accuracy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Estimation and Carbon Stocks in Forest Ecosystems: 2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 2618 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Estimation of Biomass and Carbon Sequestration Potential of Dalbergia latifolia Roxb. and Melia composita Willd. Plantations in the Tarai Region (India)

by Neha Chopra, Lalit Mohan Tewari, Ashish Tewari, Zishan Ahmad Wani, Mohd Asgher, Shreekar Pant, Sazada Siddiqui and Ayesha Siddiqua

Forests 2023, 14(3), 646; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14030646 - 21 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2406

Abstract

This study was carried out in the Tarai region of Uttarakhand, India to estimate the carbon stock and sequestration potential of Dalbergia latifolia and Melia composita plantations of different ages (4 and 6 years old). A total of 14 regression equations using one variable, dbh (diameter at breast height), were primarily selected for both of the tree species component-wise. Tree density was 880 and 960 individuals ha⁻¹ in D. latifolia and M. composita monoplantations, respectively. These equations were statistically significant (p < 0.01, p < 0.05) at 95% confidence interval. The total biomass of trees, shrubs, and herbs at the different-aged plantations varied from 68.86 to 145.14 Mg ha⁻¹, 1.29 to 2.41 Mg ha⁻¹, and 1.14 to 3.68 Mg ha⁻¹, respectively. Among the studied plantations, the maximum total biomass of 145.14 Mg ha⁻¹ was recorded at the M. composita plantation (7 years old), resulting in the maximum carbon stock of 68.94 Mg C ha⁻¹. Total NPP ranged from 5.6 Mg ha⁻¹yr⁻¹ to 16.01 Mg ha⁻¹yr⁻¹ for both plantations of different ages. The carbon sequestration in the M. composita 7-year-old plantation was 7.6 Mg Cha⁻¹yr⁻¹. Quantified carbon sequestration among different tree components must be considered for tree-level inventories for carbon trading schemes when determining the long-term carbon pools under the Paris agreement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Estimation and Carbon Stocks in Forest Ecosystems: 2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

15 pages, 3967 KiB

Open AccessReview

Evaluating the Research Status of the Remote Sensing-Mediated Monitoring of Forest Biomass: A Bibliometric Analysis of WOS

by Yonglei Shi, Zhihui Wang, Guojun Zhang, Xiaoyan Wei, Wentao Ma and Haoran Yu

Forests 2024, 15(3), 524; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15030524 - 12 Mar 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1453

Abstract

Forests serve as the largest carbon reservoir in terrestrial ecosystems, playing a crucial role in mitigating global warming and achieving the goal of “carbon neutrality”. Forest biomass is intrinsically related to carbon sinks and sources in forest ecosystems, and thus, the accurate monitoring of forest biomass is of great significance in ensuring ecological security and maintaining the global carbon balance. Significantly, remote sensing is not only able to estimate forest biomass at a large spatial scale but does so quickly, accurately, and without loss. Moreover, it can obtain forest biomass in areas inaccessible to human beings, which have become the main data source for forest biomass estimation at present. For this reason, this study analyzes the current research status, research hotspots, and future research trends in the field of remote sensing monitoring of forest biomass based on 1678 forest biomass remote sensing monitoring results from 1985 to 2023 obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection database. The results showed that the following: (1) The number of publications showed an exponential upward trend from 1985 to 2023, with an average annual growth rate of 2.64%. The top ten journals contributed to 53.76% of the total number of publications and 52.89% of the total number of citations in the field. (2) In particular, Remote Sensing of Environment has maintained a leading position in the field for an extended period, boasting the highest impact factor. Additionally, the author Saatchi S. stands out with the highest total number of citations for articles. (3) Keyword clustering analysis revealed that the main research topics in the remote sensing monitoring of forest biomass can be categorized into the following: optical remote sensing, LiDAR remote sensing, SAR remote sensing, and carbon stock. The explosion of keywords in the last six years indicates that an increasing number of researchers are focusing on carbon, airborne LiDAR data, biomass mapping, and constructing optimal biomass models. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Estimation and Carbon Stocks in Forest Ecosystems: 2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Biomass Estimation and Carbon Stocks in Forest Ecosystems: 2nd Edition

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (10 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI