Lacuna_Colombia - Quantifying Colombian Mangroves Aboveground Biomass and Carbon Content

This project aims to develop a comprehensive dataset consisting of field, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and remote sensing data for accurate estimation of AboveGround Biomass (AGB) and AboveGround Carbon (AGC) in the Caribbean mangrove ecosystem in Colombia. The pilot area is in the Via Parque Isla de Salamanca National Natural Park (VIPIS), located in the Magdalena department in the Colombian Caribbean. VIPIS is a protected area that is part of the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta (CGSM), which was declared a Ramsar Site of worldwide importance in 1998 and a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2000 (Moreno-Bejarano & Alvarez-Leon, 2003; UNESCO, 2001). VIPIS is characterized by the presence of extensive mangrove forests that serve as habitat for multiple species and provide valuable ecosystem services. However, VIPIS has been affected in recent decades by human intervention, leading to deforestation, which reduces its capacity to capture and store carbon and modifies the ecological regime of the ecosystem. Although some studies have been able to estimate AGB and AGC at a global level, including within the CGSM, the modeling needs to be implemented with greater precision and cost-effectiveness.

This dataset will incorporate existing field data as well as new field and UAV data specifically collected for this project, focusing on the structural parameters of trees within sample plots distributed across the pilot area. The dataset will serve as input for machine learning applications, enabling the development of robust models for AGB and AGC estimation with satellite imagery. By combining field data with remote sensing information, this study aims to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of AGB and AGC estimation within the study area. Additionally, statistical analysis will be conducted to assess the relationships between the parameters measured in the field and those obtained through remote sensing techniques. The dataset will facilitate accurate AGB and AGC estimation in Colombian Caribbean mangroves, enabling a better understanding of carbon storage and supporting conservation and management efforts. It will also provide a valuable resource for future research and monitoring activities related to these important coastal ecosystems.