An assessment of forest biomass carbon storage and ecological compensation based on surface area: A case study of Hubei Province, China

摘要: Abstract Area is a basic indicator used in ecological investigations; conventional ellipsoid area describes the earth as standard without considering undulation of surface. However, using investigations introduces errors estimation forest biomass carbon storage (BCS) mountainous and hilly areas. In this study, BCS compensation 103 counties Hubei Province, China, were measured surface area. Results show that: (1) Province about 1.97 × 10 5 km 2 , approximately 1.34 4  km2 greater than calculated terms area, areas are 6.52 5.92 respectively; 10.13% that (2) There significant difference between two for mountain landforms, average being 9.13  t. Plain landforms have lower differences, 2.63 3  t 2.95  t, respectively. (3) The ecosystems 33.47 billion Yuan should be assigned highest mainly located western Hubei. (4) differences by methods indicate typical state agglomeration region, where belongs to High–High cluster central–southern plain region Low–Low cluster. Findings from our investigation an applied prospective quantitatively estimating other resources much larger scale. Furthermore, transfer provides reference government decision makers balance interests different regions sustainable development eco-environmental protection.