AGBref – Global Reference Dataset for Above-Ground Biomass (AGB)

This dataset is part of the AGBref initiative, a global reference dataset for above-ground biomass (AGB) validation derived from national forest inventories (NFIs), permanent research plots, and local airborne LiDAR-based maps. It contains harmonized AGB estimates across multiple spatial resolutions and epochs, together with associated uncertainties and ecological metadata. It is primarily intended to support the validation of satellite-derived global biomass maps and national carbon accounting. This should be considered a version 0 and will immediately updated with a more comprehensive version alongside peer review process of the data descriptor paper. Column Name Description POINT_X Longitude of the grid cell centroid. POINT_Y Latitude of the grid cell centroid. TC_PLT_SD Standard deviation of tree cover (%) at the plot locations within the grid cell, based on remote sensing, is used to assess variability in plot representativeness. TC_PLT_MEAN Mean tree cover (%) at the plot locations within the grid cell. TC_GRID_SD Standard deviation of tree cover (%) at the entire grid cell (not just at plot locations). TC_GRID_MEAN Mean tree cover (%) at the grid cell level, derived from satellite data (e.g., Global Forest Change dataset). n Number of plots used within the grid cell to compute biomass estimates. AGB_T_HA Harmonized above-ground biomass (in tons per hectare, T/ha) at the grid cell level. Adjusted for forest area definition, temporal mismatch, and other preprocessing steps. SIZE_HA Total plot area within the grid cell in hectares. OPEN Indicator for openness of data. VER Denotes versioning or verification status. TO be updated when new versions are released. varTot Total variance of AGB within the grid cell. Accounts for the spatial-scale mismatch considering the target grid cell and associated measurement-related (tree measurement, allometric model use) uncertainties. AVG_YEAR Average year of plot measurement for plots within the grid cell. Useful for matching map epochs (e.g., 2005, 2010, etc.). BIO Biome category of the grid cell, e.g., "Tropical rainforest", "Temperate broadleaf and mixed forests". Derived from ecological zone datasets. CODE Source code of the dataset provider. Example: AUS1 for Australia-based NFI. Refer to supplementary table in the manuscript. INVENTORY Type or scale of data source, e.g., regional, national, or local.