Modeling Moso Bamboo Tree Density and Aboveground Biomass Using Multi-Site UAV-LiDAR Data

Moso bamboo, widely distributed in subtropical regions of China, plays an important role in forest management and carbon cycle research. However, accurate estimation of tree density and aboveground biomass (AGB) remains challenging due to the unique characteristics of Moso bamboo forests in their growth and stand structure. This research aims to develop a new procedure for bamboo tree density and AGB estimation based on UAV-LiDAR and sample plots from multiple sites through comparative analysis of the incorporation of two groups of variables—regular point cloud metrics (e.g., height, point density) and layered texture metrics—and three modeling methods—multiple linear regression (MLR), mixed-effects modeling (MEM), and hierarchical Bayesian modeling (HBM). The results showed that incorporating layered texture metrics with regular variables substantially improved the estimation accuracy of both tree density and AGB. Among these models, HBM achieved the highest predictive performance, yielding coefficient of determination (R²) values of 0.54 for tree density and 0.59 for AGB, with corresponding relative root mean square errors (rRMSE) of 21.46% and 17.97%. This study presents a novel and effective method for estimating Moso bamboo tree density and AGB using multi-site UAV-LiDAR and sample plots, offering a scientific basis for precise management and carbon stock assessment.