remote sensing

Peatland Topography DEM-measurements with high-resolution Airborne Laser Scanner to estimate Topography, Canopies, Biomass and Carbon Storage (proposal)

In 1997, 2002 and 2006 El Niño prolonged the dry season considerably causing additional risk of fire, haze and smoke in Central Kalimantan. The peatland fires during the dry season have increased, caused mainly by the Ex-Mega-Rice Project (MRP).

With the help of Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) exact surveys are possible, providing information as to the changes in landscapes and the condition of environments. An integrated planning and management program has been achieved. With a high-resolution Airborne Laser Scanner (ALS) also called LiDAR the topography of peatlands will be measured. Also the biomass of Peat Swamp Forest (PSF) will be analysed by this modern technology with an elevation resolution of +/-15cm. Additionally illegal channels in PSF can be monitored and the volume of peat by peat-drilling and loss of carbon by peat-fires can be better estimated.

To understand the situation of this area peat drillings parallel to the Kalimantan highway between Tangkiling and Kasongan have been measured. Results of the peat depth (up to 8.3m) combined with measured minerals below peat and its characteristics will be presented during the symposium. The estimation of carbon storage of that area will be evaluated with the additional help of high-resolution ALS-, Landsat- and SRTM DEM-Satellite images (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission, Digital Elevation Model).