The use of ALOS PALSAR for supporting sustainable forest use in southern Africa: A case study in Malawi

Malawi is facing a forest loss crisis with demand far outstripping sustainable supply. Recent projections suggest that there will be no primary forest left in Malawi by 2020. One possibly method to support forest protection has come from the proposed introduction of REDD (Reductions in Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) schemes into the next international climate protocol. This study aims to assess the ability of ALOS PALSAR for providing biomass estimates in miombo woodland in Malawi. No correlation has been found between ALOS PALSAR backscatter and a number of different forest parameters including biomass, stem diameter at 1.3 meters (dbh), stem volume, and the BCI (Biomass Consolidation Index).