A Review on Forest Biomass Models

Forest biomass models were reviewed systematically at both single tree and stand scale. The basic characteristics and the main construction methods of individual biomass models were elaborated at the single tree level, especially for the construction of compatible forest biomass models. Meanwhile, the biomass models at the stand level were summarized from 3 aspects, including biomass model using stand factors, biomass factor models and stand biomass estimation using remote sensing data. Finally, we prospected the research directions of forest biomass models from 4 aspects which include new modeling technology application in constructing forest biomass models, high accuracy forest biomass models by incorporating environmental factors, uncertainties on forest biomass estimation using remote sensing data, and compilation of biomass tables for the main tree species or species groups based on compatible biomass models.