An Integrated Geospatial Approach of GHG Emission Impact on Air Quality Due To Above-Ground Biomass In Rawalpindi Division, Punjab, Pakistan

Hira Shahbaz; Shakeel Mahmood; Kanwal Javid

Authors

Hira Shahbaz Government college university, Lahore
Shakeel Mahmood Department of Geography, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan
Kanwal Javid Department of Geography, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan

Keywords:

AGB, Remote Sensing, Fire Radiative Power, NDVI, GHG Emissions

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of above-ground biomass (AGB) on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and air quality in the Rawalpindi Division, Punjab, Pakistan, from 2018 to 2024. An integrated geospatial approach was applied using Sentinel-2 for vegetation indices, Sentinel-3 for land surface temperature (LST), Sentinel-5P for atmospheric pollutants, and MODIS for active fire detection. Results indicate that while high AGB zones expanded, moderate and low biomass areas declined, suggesting biomass redistribution due to vegetation change. Fire radiative power (FRP) was strongly correlated with AGB (R² = 0.9888), indicating that biomass burning significantly contributed to pollutant concentrations. Linear regression showed strong positive correlations between AGB and NDVI (R² = 0.89), LST (R² = 0.96), and GHGs, including CO₂, CO, NO₂, SO₂, aerosols, and ozone. Notably, LST and pollutant levels peaked during dry seasons. The findings emphasize the dual role of biomass as a carbon sink and emission source, highlighting the utility of remote sensing for environmental monitoring and climate planning.

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