Optical remote sensing for forest area estimation

Randolph H. Wynne; Richard G. Oderwald; Gregory A. Reams; John A. Scrivani

Treesearch

Optical remote sensing for forest area estimation

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Randolph H. Wynne, Richard G. Oderwald, Gregory A. Reams, John A. Scrivani

Year:

2000

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Southern Research Station

Source:

Journal of Forestry. 98(5): 31-36.

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Download (PDF 1.54 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/1619.pdf

Abstract

The air photo dot-count method is now widely and successfully used for estimating operational forest area in the USDA Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program. Possible alternatives that would provide for more frequent updates, spectral change detection, and maps of forest area include the AVHRR calibration center technique and various Landsat TM classification algorithms. Should a switch from proven technology be advised, our general recommendation is to conduct several pilot studies that would focus on developing or refining tools and methodologies to allow objective, repeatable, and accurate forest areas estimation using multispectral earth resource satellite data.

Citation

Wynne, Randolph H.; Oderwald, Richard G.; Reams, Gregory A.; Scrivani, John A. 2000. Optical remote sensing for forest area estimation. Journal of Forestry. 98(5): 31-36.