Biomass Estimates for Study Area of the Forest Ecosystem Dynamics Project Spatial Data Archive

Forest Ecosystem Dynamics (FED) Project Spatial Data Archive: Fresh and Dry Biomass Estimates in the International Paper Experimental Forest

The Biospheric Sciences Branch (formerly Earth Resources Branch) within the Laboratory for Terrestrial Physics at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and associated University investigators are involved in a research program entitled Forest Ecosystem Dynamics (FED) which is fundamentally concerned with vegetation change of forest ecosystems at local to regional spatial scales (100 to 10,000 meters) and temporal scales ranging from monthly to decadal periods (10 to 100 years). The nature and extent of the impacts of these changes, as well as the feedbacks to global climate, may be addressed through modeling the interactions of the vegetation, soil, and energy components of the boreal ecosystem.

The Howland Forest research site lies within the Northern Experimental Forest of International Paper. The natural stands in this boreal-northern hardwood transitional forest consist of spruce-hemlock-fir, aspen-birch, and hemlock-hardwood mixtures. The topography of the region varies from flat to gently rolling, with a maximum elevation change of less than 68 m within 10 km. Due to the region's glacial history, soil drainage classes within a small area may vary widely, from well drained to poorly drained. Consequently, an elaborate patchwork of forest communities has developed, supporting exceptional local species diversity.

Fresh and dry biomass estimates were calculated from allometric equations at selected sites in the International Paper Experimental Forest in Howland, ME. Diameter at breast height (DBH) was measured and species identified for each tree in three 4 meter radius sample plots for 47 forest stands in the International Paper Experimental Forest. Trees with a DBH greater than 3 cm were selected. Measurements were carried out by K. J. Ranson, G. Sun, R. Knox, R. Nelson and D. Williams of NASA/GSFC and John Lee, Forest Scott and others from the University of Maine at Orono.

Allometric equations developed by H.E. Young (see citation) at the University of Maine, Orono were used to calculate fresh, dry, live and dead biomass. The equations are in the form: ln(wt lbs.) = b0 + bl(ln(dbh inches)) for each species. Locations for the sites were measured relative to known ground features and were scaled off of the USGS 7.5' Howland quadrangle with consultation from imagery.