Title: Utilising Remote Sensing in Biophysical Modelling for Biomass Estimation

Authors: Brendon McAtee

Abstract: From the remote sensing perspective, there are two main approaches to estimating the
biomass contained in vegetated areas. The return signal from active sensors such as radar
instruments can be processed so that a relationship is developed between the signal strength and
vegetative biomass, or, alternatively, estimates of vegetative characteristics may be extracted from
the return signal in lidar data and used to estimate biomass via allometric relationships typical of the
target vegetation.

Using remotely sensed data from mutli and hyperspectral sensors, biomass may be estimated via a
biophysical model where key parameters such as the fraction of absorbed Photosynthetically Active
Radiation (fPAR) are derived from remotely sensed measurements. Other supporting datasets such
as temperature and soil moisture can also be ingested into the model to help characterise growth,
given knowledge of the appropriate allometric relationships for the observed vegetation. In the
operational environment allometric acuracy necessitates accurate identification of vegetation types,
with the required accuracy of biomass estimation determining how well classified the ecosystem
under observation needs to be. The importance of ecosystem classification suggests the need for a
combination of active return signal analysis with spectral information.

This presentation will summarise remotely sensed datasets that are readily available as inputs to a
biophysical model in the operational environment and illustrate where they may be of use. A case
study which describes linking ground and satellite-based remote sensing to estimate the value of
variables which are key to the accuracy of ongoing biophysical modelling of tree growth using
multispectral measurements will also be described.