High-resolution mapping of forest carbon stock using Object-Based Image Analysis (OBIA) technique

This study assessed and mapped the aboveground tree carbon stock using very high-resolution satellite imagery (VHRS)—WorldView-2 in Barkot forest of Uttarakhand, India. The image was pan-sharpened to get the spectrally and spatially good-quality image. High-pass filter technique of pan-sharpening was found to be the best in this study. Object-based image analysis (OBIA) was carried out for image segmentation and classification. Multi-resolution image segmentation yielded 74% accuracy. The segmented image was classified into sal (Shorea robusta), teak (Tectona grandis) and shadow. The classification accuracy was found to be 83%. The relationship between crown projection area (CPA) and carbon was established in the field for both sal and teak trees. Using the relationship between CPA and carbon, the classified CPA map was converted to carbon stock of individual trees. Mean value of carbon stock per tree for sal was found to be 621 kg, whereas for teak it was 703 kg per tree. The study highlighted the utility of OBIA and VHRS imagery for mapping high-resolution carbon stock of forest.