Search

The estimation and mapping of aboveground biomass over large areas can be done using the remote sensing tools. The objective of this study was to estimate the aboveground biomass of two types of tropical forest: semi-evergreen (SETF) and semi-deciduous tropical forest (SDTF) in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, using metrics obtained from LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data. Data from 365 plots of the National Forest and Soils Inventory of Mexico were used to calibrate aboveground biomass models using multiple linear regression and Random Forest. These models were used for mapping aboveground biomass along LiDAR strips. The transformed regression model explained the variance by 62% (RMSE = 41.44 Mg ha-1 for SETF & 36.60 Mg ha-1 for SDTF) for both types of vegetation. The models of Random Forest explained the variance by 57% (RMSE = 40.73 Mg ha-1) for SETF and only 52% (RMSE = 35.10 Mg ha-1) by SDTF. The mismatch between the field data and LiDAR data, as well as the error in the precision of the coordinates of the inventory plots, were recognized as factors that influenced on the results. Despite the above, the estimates obtained could serve as a basis to estimate the complete biomass inventory in the study area by incorporating spectral data derived from a remote sensor that covers the entire area., La estimación y el mapeo de la biomasa aérea sobre áreas extensas puede realizarse haciendo uso de las herramientas que ofrece la percepción remota. El objetivo de este estudio fue estimar la biomasa aérea de dos tipos de selva mediana: subperennifolia (SMSP) y subcaducifolia (SMSC) en la península de Yucatán, México, empleando métricas generadas a partir de datos Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR). Se usaron datos de 365 unidades de muestreo del Inventario Nacional Forestal y de Suelos (INFyS) de México para calibrar modelos de biomasa aérea usando regresión lineal múltiple y Random Forest (RF). Con estos modelos se mapeó la biomasa aérea sobre franjas de datos LiDAR. El modelo de regresión transformado logró explicar la varianza en un 62% (RMSE = 41.44 Mg ha-1 para SMSP y 36.60 Mg ha-1 para SMSC) para ambos tipos de vegetación. Los modelos generados a través de RF lograron explicar la varianza en un 57% (RMSE = 40.73 Mg ha-1) para la SMSP y solo de 52% (RMSE = 35.10 Mg Ha-1) para la SMSC. El desfase entre la toma de datos en campo y LiDAR, así como el error en la precisión de las coordenadas de los sitios de inventario, son factores reconocidos que influyeron en los resultados. A pesar de lo anterior, las estimaciones obtenidas podrían servir de base para estimar el inventario completo de biomasa en el área de estudio incorporando datos espectrales derivados de un sensor remoto que cubra la totalidad de esta.

The goal of the current study was to develop methods of estimating the height of vertical components within plantation coniferous forest using airborne discrete multiple return lidar. In the summer of 2008, airborne lidar and field data were acquired for Loblolly pine forest locations in North Carolina and Virginia, USA, which comprised a variety of stand conditions (e.g. stand age, nutrient regime, and stem density). The methods here implement both field plot-scale analysis and an automated approach for the delineation of individual tree crown (ITC) locations and horizontal extents through a marker-based region growing process applied to a lidar derived canopy height model. The estimation of vertical features was accomplished through aggregating lidar return height measurements into vertical height bins, of a given horizontal extent (plot or ITC), creating a vertical 'stack' of bins describing the frequency of returns by height. Once height bins were created the resulting vertical distributions were smoothed with a regression curve-line function and canopy layers were identified through the detection of local maxima and minima. Estimates from Lorey's mean canopy height was estimated from plot-level curve-fitting with an overall accuracy of 5.9% coefficient of variation (CV) and the coefficient of determination (R-2) value of 0.93. Estimates of height to the living canopy produced an overall R-2 value of 0.91 (11.0% CV). The presence of vertical features within the sub-canopy component of the fitted vertical function also corresponded to areas of known understory presence and absence. Estimates from ITC data were averaged to the plot level. Estimates of field Lorey's mean canopy top height from average ITC data produced an R-2 value of 0.96 (7.9% CV). Average ITC estimates of height to the living canopy produced the closest correspondence to the field data, producing an R-2 value of 0.97 (6.2% CV). These results were similar to estimates produced by a statistical re

Leaf area is an important forest structural variable which serves as the primary means of mass and energy exchange within vegetated ecosystems. The objective of the current study was to determine if leaf area index (LAI) could be estimated accurately and consistently in five intensively managed pine plantation forests using two multiple-return airborne LiDAR datasets. Field measurements of LAI were made using the LiCOR LAI2000 and LAI2200 instruments within 116 plots were established of varying size and within a variety of stand conditions (i.e. stand age, nutrient regime and stem density) in North Carolina and Virginia in 2008 and 2013. A number of common LiDAR return height and intensity distribution metrics were calculated (e.g. average return height), in addition to ten indices, with two additional variants, utilized in the surrounding literature which have been used to estimate LAI and fractional cover, were calculated from return heights and intensity, for each plot extent. Each of the indices was assessed for correlation with each other, and was used as independent variables in linear regression analysis with field LAI as the dependent variable. All LiDAR derived metrics were also entered into a forward stepwise linear regression. The results from each of the indices varied from an R-2 of 0.33 (S.E. 0.87) to 0.89 (S.E. 0.36). Those indices calculated using ratios of all returns produced the strongest correlations, such as the Above and Below Ratio Index (ABRI) and Laser Penetration Index 1 ( LPI1). The regression model produced from a combination of three metrics did not improve correlations greatly (R-2 0.90; S.E. 0.35). The results indicate that LAI can be predicted over a range of intensively managed pine plantation forest environments accurately when using different LiDAR sensor designs. Those indices which incorporated counts of specific return numbers (e.g. first returns) or return intensity correlated poorly with field measurements. There were disparit

The goal of the current study was to develop methods of estimating the height of vertical components within plantation coniferous forest using airborne discrete multiple return lidar. In the summer of 2008, airborne lidar and field data were acquired for Loblolly pine forest locations in North Carolina and Virginia, USA, which comprised a variety of stand conditions (e.g. stand age, nutrient regime, and stem density). The methods here implement both field plot-scale analysis and an automated approach for the delineation of individual tree crown (ITC) locations and horizontal extents through a marker-based region growing process applied to a lidar derived canopy height model. The estimation of vertical features was accomplished through aggregating lidar return height measurements into vertical height bins, of a given horizontal extent (plot or ITC), creating a vertical 'stack' of bins describing the frequency of returns by height. Once height bins were created the resulting vertical distributions were smoothed with a regression curve-line function and canopy layers were identified through the detection of local maxima and minima. Estimates from Lorey's mean canopy height was estimated from plot-level curve-fitting with an overall accuracy of 5.9% coefficient of variation (CV) and the coefficient of determination (R-2) value of 0.93. Estimates of height to the living canopy produced an overall R-2 value of 0.91 (11.0% CV). The presence of vertical features within the sub-canopy component of the fitted vertical function also corresponded to areas of known understory presence and absence. Estimates from ITC data were averaged to the plot level. Estimates of field Lorey's mean canopy top height from average ITC data produced an R-2 value of 0.96 (7.9% CV). Average ITC estimates of height to the living canopy produced the closest correspondence to the field data, producing an R-2 value of 0.97 (6.2% CV). These results were similar to estimates produced by a statistical re

The objective of this study was to determine whether leaf area index (LAI) in temperate mixed forests is best estimated using multiple-return airborne laser scanning (lidar) data or dual-band, single-pass interferometric synthetic aperture radar data (from GeoSAR) alone, or both in combination. In situ measurements of LAI were made using the LiCor LAI-2000 Plant Canopy Analyzer on 61 plots (21 hardwood, 36 pine, 4 mixed pine hardwood; stand age ranging from 12-164 years; mean height ranging from 0.4 to 41.2 m) in the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest, Virginia, USA. Lidar distributional metrics were calculated for all returns and for ten one meter deep crown density slices (a new metric), five above and five below the mode of the vegetation returns for each plot. GeoSAR metrics were calculated from the X-band backscatter coefficients (four looks) as well as both X- and P-band interferometric heights and magnitudes for each plot. Lidar metrics alone explained 69% of the variability in LAI, while GeoSAR metrics alone explained 52%. However, combining the lidar and GeoSAR metrics increased the R2 to 0.77 with a CV-RMSE of 0.42. This study indicates the clear potential for X-band backscatter and interferometric height (both now available from spaceborne sensors), when combined with small-footprint lidar data, to improve LAI estimation in temperate mixed forests.