Environ Exp Biol (2025) 23: 95–102

Synergizing field measurements and handheld LiDAR for estimating carbon stocks in mixed deciduous forest on a river island in lower northern Thailand

Abstract

This study explores the application of handheld 3D LiDAR technology to assess aboveground biomass and carbon storage of large trees within a mixed deciduous forest ecosystem. The research was conducted on a river island in the lower northern region of Thailand. The total area of the river island is approximately 4.16 ha. A total of 235 large trees from 17 species were inventoried within ten plots located in a mixed deciduous forest on a river island. Tree structural characteristics, such as diameter at breast height and total height were measured using conventional field techniques alongside handheld LiDAR scanning to enable cross-method comparisons. Allometric equations were applied to estimate total biomass and carbon stock. The results revealed strong correlations between LiDAR-derived and field-based measurements of diameter at breast height, height, and CO₂ sequestration, with R² values exceeding 0.98. The combined aboveground and belowground biomass totaled 126.933 tons, and the estimated average CO₂ adsorption was 547.37 t ha⁻¹. Bombax ceiba exhibited the highest CO₂ sequestration among all trees. Additionally, soil carbon stock averaged 5.06 t ha⁻¹, with the greatest concentration observed at a depth of 50 cm. These findings demonstrate that handheld LiDAR is a reliable and efficient tool for forest carbon assessment in isolated ecosystems.