Estimation of Above- and Below-ground Biomass in Boreal Forest Ecosystems

Regression models for above-ground and below-ground biomass were estimated for 143 sample plots in young and mature coniferous forest. Various canopy height and canopy density metrics derived from the canopy height distributions of first as well as last pulse laser scanner data with a sampling density of approximately 1.1 m were used as independent variables in the regressions. Each of the selected models comprised at least one variable related to canopy height and one related to canopy density. The models for above-ground biomass explained 92% of the variability whereas the models for below-ground biomass explained 86%. The analysis indicated that forest type did not have any significant impact on the estimated models.