Carbon storage estimation of tropical urban trees by an improved allometric model for aboveground biomass based on terrestrial laser scanning
Abstract Current estimations of the carbon stored by urban trees are usually based on allometric models developed for natural forests. However, urban trees grow in different conditions, and their architecture might differ, thus models developed specially for urban trees are needed. With the aim of improving estimations of carbon storage and sequestration in tropical cities, we developed a model for Singapore's urban trees based on three dimensional data acquired on standing trees using a terrestrial LiDAR. This model relates the aboveground biomass (AGB) with the trunk diameter, wood specific density and total height of the tree. Its performance was compared to the performance of selected models for tropical forests and urban trees. As expected, being locally derived, our model reduced the bias of both individual and plot level estimates. The AGB estimates compared to those retrieved from the LiDAR showed a deviation of
Urban Forestry Urban Greening