The estimation of available woody biomass resources in general are associated with several forms of errors such as the inherent errors as per the field assessment data and the errors due to misalignment of various factors, for example, lack of coherence between satellite geometry and training plot positions. To overcome the errors
which originate during ground biomass estimation, the standard errors were derived by making use of the principles of error propagation for products or quotients (Barry 1987). The following Eq. 12.16 can be used to determine the uncertainty while esti­mating the ground biomass density in the biomass density class covering an area, Aclass, with a standard error of aA, i. e.

2

where a and aAGB correspond to standard error and mean square error (respec­tively) of the estimating ground biomass density in a particular biomass density class, AGBp represents the mean value of the predicting ground biomass density in the biomass density class.

Similarly, the overall uncertainty in the estimation of total ground biomass is determined by using Eq. 12.17, i. e. the sum-up of all the ground biomass estimates in the verified biomass density classes in the specified area of interest finally gives the total ground biomass.

(12.17)

where N is the number of biomass density classes in a specific area of interest.

12.2 Conclusion

In conclusion, we reviewed the methods available for the estimation, analysis, production and consumption of biomass and related products for the fulfilment of various forms of energy needs in the current world. The work presented here broadens the understanding of economic analysis of the operational and transportation costs in addition to technological innovations required for the production and consumption of biomass. Further work in this field is to explore and enhance the individual web-based options for serving the information to various practitioners working in various fields like woodland dynamics, socio-economic and energy security domains. A thorough understanding of these factors not only entrench poverty, unemployment but also have terrible implications for a nation’s economy from rural backgrounds. Also, the contin­ued dependence of rural lifestyle on biomass resources to meet the sustenance and livelihood in poor economic conditions are exerting unsustainable pressure on the limited resources that are available. For example, the diminishing of fuel-wood sup­plies is making the rural people to spend more time to collect wood from the forests and in this way, they spend less time on food preparation and other activities such as farming, childcare, housekeeping, sanitation, socializing and education. The other issue of concern includes the high cost of wood purchasing from vendors and the personal security in and around the places where wood is collected.