California Forest Biomass Estimates from Airborne LiDAR

California forests are analyzed in this dataset providing LiDAR-derived aboveground biomass estimates and uncertainty from 53 airborne surveys conducted between 2005 and 2014. The data was created by performing individual tree crown detection and applying a remote sensing aware allometric equation, with results available per-tree and in gridded formats. The dataset is provided by ORNL_CLOUD and includes the canopy height models used for the estimation.

Use Cases

• Validating regional carbon stock models using gridded aboveground biomass estimates.
• Assessing forest structure and health by analyzing per-tree canopy height models.
• Quantifying uncertainty in biomass estimation for specific study areas.
• Monitoring changes in forest biomass over time across the 2005-2014 period.
• Calibrating satellite-derived biomass products with high-resolution LiDAR data.

Strengths

• Covers 53 distinct airborne LiDAR survey locations, providing broad spatial sampling.
• Includes spatially explicit uncertainty estimates for each biomass measurement.
• Offers data in both per-tree and gridded formats for flexible analysis.
• Provides the underlying canopy height models used for tree detection and biomass estimation.

Limitations

• Conflicting last updated dates: one source states 2026-03-13, another states 2014-12-31.
• Exact row count, file size, and specific column names are not provided by any source.
• License is ambiguously listed as 'other-license-specified' or 'None' across sources.

Provenance

Source

ORNL_CLOUD

Collection Method

Airborne LiDAR surveys processed via individual tree crown detection and a customized remote sensing aware allometric equation.

Time Range

2005 to 2014

Freshness

2026-03-13 01:10:00.385421

Geography

Locations throughout California