En topography supported by dwyka tillite geological formation [3]. Probably the most dominant
En topography supported by dwyka tillite geological formation [3]. One of the most dominant reforested tree species in the region are Acacia (i.e., caffra and robusta), Syzygium cordatum (water berry), Bridelia micrantha, Dalbergia obovate, Erythrina caffra, and Silver oak.Remote Sens. 2021, 13, 4281 Remote Sens. 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW4 of 15 4 of.Figure 1. Location of Buffelsdraai reforestation web-site and sample points, inside eThekwini MuniciFigure 1. Location of Buffelsdraai reforestation website and sample points, inside thethe eThekwini Mupality in KwaZulu-Natal Province. nicipality in KwaZulu-Natal Province.2.2. Field-Survey and Information Collection 2.2. Field-Survey and Data Collection Field survey and data collection were conducted amongst 21st and 25th of FebruField survey and information collection have been performed amongst 21st and 25th of February ary 2020 for the duration of the summer season at peak biomass productivity. In this study, about 2020 throughout the summer season at peak biomass productivity. Within this study, about 130 130 pre-determined random sampling points inserted within a worldwide positioning method (GPS) pre-determined randomsampling sites. From each random point, a plot-size window of had been used to access the sampling points inserted in a international positioning method (GPS) have been 10 m was established and structural attributes for instance heightplot-size window of ten 10 m employed to access the sampling internet sites. From each random point, a and diameter at breast m ten m was established and structural attributes like IV Hypsometer) wasat breast SC-19220 Purity & Documentation height of reforested trees recorded. A clinometer (Vertex height and diameter utilised to height oftree height, though recorded. at breast height(Vertex was measured making use of a made use of to measure reforested trees diameter A clinometer (DBH) IV Hypsometer) was calliper. measure tree height, whilst diameter at breast height (DBH) was measured using a calliper. In this study, the Trimble Global Positioning Program (GPS) with 0.5 m accuracy was employed Within this study, the Trimble Globaleach sampled tree. (GPS) with 0.5 m accuracy was applied to record geographic location of Positioning Method to record geographic location of every sampled tree.Remote Sens. 2021, 13,five of2.3. Allometric Modelling of Aboveground Biomass and Carbon Stock The allometric relationship amongst the tree diameter and height can substantially impact tree biomass, and hence their measurements may be correctly applied for vegetation biomass estimation [16,18]. A non-environmental destructive approach like allometric model for biomass estimation has been suggested by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Alter (IPCC) [42,43]. In this study, a field measured diameter at breast height (DBH) and height (H) of individual reforested trees were integrated into the allometric model to compute aboveground biomass employing the following generic equation: W = a D2 Hbwhere W is the aboveground biomass, D represents diameter at breast height (cm), H indicates tree height (m), while a and b are regression coefficients [42]. Typically, the aboveground dry biomass holds about 50 of carbon, as such, a SB 271046 Data Sheet friction factor of 0.5 is commonly utilised for converting dry mass into carbon concentration [43,44]. Therefore, within this study, we converted the computed biomass into carbon stock working with a aspect of 0.5. two.4. Image Acquisition and Pre-Processing A multispectral Sentinel-2A satellite image was captured on the 26th of February 2020 in the course of cloud-free day and freely downloaded around the 2nd of March 2020.
