LBA-ECO TG-07: Ground-based Forest Biomass Estimates from Tapajos National Forest

LBA-ECO TG-07 provides ground-based biometry data from a 1997 survey of four plots totaling 392 hectares in the Tapajos National Forest, Brazil. It estimates a total biomass density of 372 Mg ha⁻¹, with trees over 35 cm DBH accounting for about half of this total. The dataset includes propagated error analysis and sampling simulations, focusing on quantifying above- and below-ground biomass for carbon cycle research.

Use Cases

• Calibrating remote sensing estimates of Amazonian forest biomass using ground-truth plot data.
• Analyzing the contribution of large trees (DBH > 35 cm) to total forest carbon stocks.
• Assessing uncertainty in biomass estimates stemming from allometric relations and root biomass calculations.
• Designing efficient forest survey protocols based on the simulated sampling results.

Strengths

• Dataset provides a specific, directly stated biomass density estimate of 372 Mg ha⁻¹.
• Includes a detailed error propagation analysis, quantifying a worst-case uncertainty of about 40%.
• Based on a substantial ground survey covering 392 hectares across four plots.

Limitations

• Column names and a complete data dictionary are unavailable, limiting understanding of the raw data structure.
• Conflicting metadata exists: one platform lists a last updated date of 2026-04-10, while another cites 1997-03-31 for the underlying study.
• The dataset's size (rows, file size) is unspecified across all sources.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Collection Method

Ground-based forest survey of trees with DBH > 35 cm, using allometric relations and published ratios for other biomass compartments.

Time Range

1997

Freshness

The most recent platform update recorded is 2026-04-10, but the underlying data collection year is 1997.

Geography

Tapajos National Forest near Santarem, Para, Brazil (S 3.04, W 54.95).