Utilizing LiDAR technology to estimate forest aboveground biomass in Qianjiangyuan National Park, Jiangxi Province of eastern China

  Objective  Utilizing technologies of airborne lidar together with ground survey, we modelled and predicted aboveground biomass of subtropical forests in Qianjiangyuan National Park, Jiangxi Province of eastern China to provide basis for assessing conservation effectiveness and quality of animal habitats in national parks.

  Method  We used canopy structural indices to quantify canopy structural variation and maximal height of subtropical forests, then modelled forest aboveground biomass with canopy structural indices and topographic variables.

  Result  Mean canopy height, vertical complexity and maximal height were closely correlated with aboveground biomass. Aboveground biomass was mainly between 27.24−210.31 Mg/ha (quantile 0.05−0.95), mean value was 111.21 Mg/ha, and total aboveground biomass was2.57 × 10⁶ Mg.

  Conclusion  The forest aboveground biomass is well modelled and predicted using canopy structural indices and topographic variables. Large area of zonal evergreen broadleaved forests is distributed in the national park with complex canopy structure and high aboveground biomass, while large area plantation and secondary forests are also distributed in two new parts of the national park with simple canopy structure and low aboveground biomass.