China 30 m forest dominant height

Forest dominant height is a fundamental structural attribute that reflects site conditions and forest  growth potential. Here we present a nationwide 30 m resolution forest dominant height dataset  for China (FDH-30C). The dataset is calibrated using 1,117 km² of high-density unmanned aerial  vehicle (UAV) light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data distributed across all eight major vegetation  divisions across China as reference data, representing diverse stand ages, structures, and species  compositions. To produce spatially continuous estimates, the model used in this dataset integrates 30  geospatial predictors derived from multi-source remote sensing products, including climatic, edaphic,  topographic, vegetation, and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)-based variables. A two-stage hybrid  modeling framework combines the UAV LiDAR reference data with these predictors to generate  spatially coherent estimates while preserving local accuracy and reducing ecozone boundary effects.  The resulting map provides a consistent national baseline for applications such as site-index mapping,  growth-and-yield parameterization, biomass and carbon estimation, vertical structure analysis, and the  evaluation of spaceborne LiDAR missions.

Reference:

Yuling Chen#., Guangcai Xu#., Haitao Yang*,Qinghua Guo*. A 30 m forest dominant height dataset for China in 2020. Sci Data 13, 1287 (2026)