NEWS:

1 Dec, 2016


The UAV used in biomass estimation.
For a long time carbon stocks has been estimated using data captured through national forest inventories (NFIs). Ground-based forest inventories usually form a key component in NFIs. However, comprehensive ground-based inventories are associated with high labor and operational costs hence restrictive to most developing countries which has prompted researchers to search for other reliable but more cost effective biomass estimation methodologies. Application of 3D data derived from images captured using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in forest biomass estimation is a promising approach aimed at reducing labor and operational costs, as well as improving the reliability of estimated biomass in NFIs, involve combining data from ground-based forest inventories and remote sensing. However, such technologies have not been used in Malawi until LUANARs Biomass project was recently implemented in the woodlands of Mzimba.

The project “Soil Carbon Assessment in Crop Fields and Development of Models for Estimation of Above and Below Ground Biomass in Miombo Woodlands” was developed with the main objective of developing methods for estimation of forest biomass in miombo woodlands and farm land and to increase farmer’s resilience to climate change”. In conjunction with researchers from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, LUANARs research team introduced the UAV in the miombo forests of Mzimba in-order to estimation and to compare impacts of digital terrain models (DTMs) generated based on different evaluate application of 3D data derived from UAV imagery in biomass methods and parameter settings.

Speaking on the importance of this research Professor Weston Mwase, project principal investigator said that there was limited quantitative information on carbon stocks in the miombo woodlands of Malawi despite the ecosystem supporting the livelihoods of over 15 million people. He further said that the lack of information on carbon stocks also applies to the plantation forests in Malawi. “However, quantification of carbon stocks may qualify Malawi for carbon credits which may allow income generation through carbon offset trading by local communities, in addition, such models are tools for assessing forest structure and conditions in identifying sustainable management options for forests and in providing valuable information on supply of industrial wood, biomass for domestic energy and animal fodder” said Prof. Mwase.

In a recent publication by the project titled “Biomass Estimation Using 3D Data from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Imagery in a Tropical Woodland” it is stated that the use of UAV is of particular importance for Malawi since most of the forests in the country comprise of miombo woodlands scattered over the landscape as small- to medium sized reserves, a situation that suits the application of the UAV both when it comes to technical aspects and to costs associated with its execution. Despite finding from the study demonstrating that data generated by the UAV system have potential of being successfully used in estimating forest biomass in dry tropical forests such as miombo woodlands, the researchers recommend future studies to be conducted in similar woodlands given different weather conditions, time of the day, ground cover, wind speed and plot size.

Aside from biomass estimation and model development the project has trained over 300 farmers in Luvwere, Mpherembe and Kazuni in management of tree nursery and sustainable agricultural practices, agroforestry, production of pigeon peas, soybeans and maize, it has also contributed to governments seed subsidy programme by distributing seed of maize, soybean and pigeon peas to 300 farmers in Mpherembe Extension Planning area.

The project is currently training three LUANAR graduate students, one undergraduate and one PhD candidate studying in Norway.

The biomass project is one of the seven projects funded by the Norwegian government through LUANARs CABMACC programme which aims at promoting the adaptation and mitigation against the effects of climate change.


Written by Christie Kang’ombe.