High-Resolution Forest Carbon Monitoring and Modeling

High-Resolution Forest Carbon Monitoring and Modeling: Continued Prototype Development and Deployment

NASA has recognized the urgent need for the development of MRV through its initiation of the Carbon Monitoring System (CMS) program. The University of Maryland, working with NASA centers, the USFS, and other entities has led research efforts in all phases (Pilot-Phase 3) to prototype our novel approach to high-resolution forest carbon monitoring and modeling. Foundationally, our projects have used airborne lidar and optical data together with in-situ field data to produce high-resolution maps of forest carbon stocks over a range of scales, initially from key counties in MD and CA, to the 11 state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI+) region. These same data were also used to drive a prognostic ecosystem model produce a consistent suite of products to map, model and monitor forest carbon stocks and fluxes past-future at unprecedented spatial resolution (1 ha). The approach has reached the highest application readiness level (ARL9) with Maryland becoming the first state in the nation to officially such a system. Most recently, the approach was expanded geographically to national and global scales using orbital remote sensing to prototype new products to address national and global needs. The overall goal of this project is the continued development and deployment of our approach to high-resolution forest carbon monitoring and modeling. In particular, we seek to build upon and extend our approach to state, national and global scales, harnessing newly available spaceborne remote sensing data from NASA (GEDI, ICESat-2, Landsat). In the process, we will both deepen and expand our stakeholder engagement including key governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Project Related Links

Links to specific projects on the CMS website