Modelling and Mapping of Aboveground Carbon of Oluwa Forest Reserve Using Landsat 8 TM and Forest Inventory Data

This research was carried out within the Oluwa Forest Reserve to evaluate and forecast its capacity for aboveground carbon sequestration using data from the Landsat Thematic Mapper. The Oluwa Forest Reserve, situated in Ondo State, Nigeria, is renowned for its abundant biodiversity and vast expanse. Assessing the forest's aboveground biomass and carbon traditionally involves intricate and expensive processes necessitating the expertise of diverse professionals and specialized equipment. Hence, this study investigated the utilization of Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) technology, employing Landsat bands to calculate spectral indices and construct linear models for predicting the aboveground carbon sequestration potential of the tropical rainforest ecosystem within the Oluwa Forest Reserve. The measured aboveground carbon from sample plots, alongside the estimated spectral indices, was utilized to simulate the distribution of aboveground carbon across the Oluwa Forest Reserve. A positive linear correlation was identified between the observed data and the estimated spectral indices. Consequently, linear models were developed, and the most suitable model was determined through statistical analysis. The average aboveground carbon estimated from the sample plots was 150.70 tons per hectare (t/ha), closely aligning with the predicted value of 149.80 t/ha. Statistical analysis yielded a coefficient of determination of 94% and a Root Mean Square Error of 6.38E-16. These results indicate that the selected model accurately predicts the distribution of aboveground carbon within the Oluwa Forest Reserve. This study underscores the importance of spectral data, GIS, and RS in the efficient modelling and mapping of aboveground carbon in extensive forest ecosystems.