Estimation and application of spatial distribution of carbon storage in Wushe reservoir watershed based on environmental indicators in Taiwan

Abstract

The forest land carbon storage assessment model proposed in this study belongs to the IPPC Tier-3 method. The model operates through a conceptual model that includes environmental parameters such as Photosynthesis Index (NDVI), Soil Depth Index (TWI) and Canopy Height Model (CHM). The model is verified by the IPPC Tier-2 method, which can effectively construct the distribution of watershed-scale forest carbon stock. The spatial distribution of carbon fluxes can be obtained from the carbon stock information of the two periods. The carbon flux index can be used to describe the distribution of carbon stocks and carbon emissions in the watershed, and then the location of negative carbon flux (vegetation degradation) can be extracted as a value-added application of vegetation restoration hotspots. The accuracy of the model estimation in forest land verification is high, reaching a significant level of 0.1%, which can faithfully reflect the carbon stock of forest land. However, in non-forest lands, carbon stock estimates tend to exhibit carbon storage potential due to land-use disturbances. A combination of conceptual models and environmental indicators is of great help in assessing watershed carbon stocks and fluxes.

Keywords

• Risk assessment
• Carbon flux
• Channel scanning
• Riparian buffer zone
• Terrestrial material migration hotspots