Environmental indicators combined with conceptual models to assess the spatial distribution of carbon storages in the Liukui Experimental Forest in southern Taiwan

The spatio-temporal distribution of carbon storage is an important parameter in watershed management planning; how to use environmental indicators to estimate carbon storage in a certain area in real time is extremely important in green environmental management. This study proposes an innovative method that uses satellite images combined with digital terrain models to quickly establish a conceptual model for carbon storage estimation in the Liukui Experimental Forest in southern Taiwan based on environmental indicators, which can instantly reflect the spatial distribution of carbon storage. The normalized vegetation index (NDVI) was used to reflect the photosynthetic capacity of the tree community, the topographic wetness index (TWI) was used to reflect the soil depth, and the canopy height model (CHM) was used to reflect the tree volume. The relationship between model estimation and IPCC Tier-2 approach shows that the carbon stock index CSI-(st) (R-2 = 0.8844, p < 0.001) and the carbon flux index CSI-(fx) (R-2 = 0.5563, p < 0.001) can instantly reflect the spatial distribution of carbon storage. Through the combination of environmental indicators and conceptual models, it helps to improve the level of carbon storage assessment.

Automated summary

This study proposes an innovative method that combines satellite images and digital terrain models to estimate the spatial distribution of carbon storage in the Liukui Experimental Forest. By using environmental indicators such as the normalized vegetation index, topographic wetness index, and canopy height model, the method shows promising results in reflecting the spatial distribution of carbon storage compared to the IPCC Tier-2 approach.