Mapping Forest Age in North and South Carolina using Time Serial Observations and Field Inventory Data

Forests play important roles in carbon cycle, adjust soil erosion, energy balance, and biogeochemical cycling of nutrients, and provide a broad range of socioecological services to human. The knowledge of forest age information helps for effective forest management. This study estimates forest age from time serial Landsat observations for disturbed forests and undisturbed forests separately. Measurements of FIA ground plots serve as reference data and are used for training and validation of the model. Results show that the average forest age in North and South Carolina is approximately 60 years. Forests in North Carolina are about five years older than in South Carolina, due to fewer disturbances or lower disturbance intensity.