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At least 1,243 records · Page 69
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1987

Evaluation of several classification schemes for mapping forest cover types in Michigan

Landsat MSS data were evaluated for mapping forest cover types in the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. The study examined seasonal variations, interpretation procedures and vegetation composition/distribution and their effect on overall classification accuracy and ability to identify individual pine species. Photographic images were used for visual interpretations while digital analysis was performed using a common (ERDAS) microcomputer image processing system. The classification schemes were evaluated using contingency tables and were ranked using the KAPPA statistic. The various classification schemes were ranked differentially according to study site location. Visual interpretation procedures ranked best, or least accurate, depending on the spatial distribution and complexity of the forest cover. Supervised classification techniques were more accurate than unsupervised clustering over all sites and seasons. Maximum likelihood classification of June data was superior to any digital classification technique of February data. The study indicates that classification accuracy is more dependent on the composition and distribution of forests in the northern lower Peninsula of Michigan than on the selection of a particular classification scheme.

Hudson, W. D.↗
NASA NTRS1988

A methodology for mapping forest latent heat flux densities using remote sensing

Surface temperatures and reflectances of an upper elevation Sierran mixed conifer forest were monitored using the Thematic Mapper Simulator sensor during the summer of 1985 in order to explore the possibility of using remote sensing to determine the distribution of solar energy on forested watersheds. The results show that the method is capable of quantifying the relative energy allocation relationships between the two cover types defined in the study. It is noted that the method also has the potential to map forest latent heat flux densities.

Pierce, Lars L.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Effects of global atmospheric perturbations on forest ecosystems: Predictions of seasonal and cumulative effects

The physical effects of certain large events, such as giant impacts, explosive volcanism, or combined nuclear explosions, have the potential of inducing global catastrophes in our terrestrial environment. Such highly energetic events can inject substantial quantities of material into the atmosphere. In turn, this changes the amount of sunlight reaching the Earth's surface and modifies atmospheric temperatures to produce a wide range of global effects. One consequence is the introduction of serious stresses in both plants and animals throughout the Earth's biosphere. For example, recent studies predict that forest lands, crop lands, and range lands would suffer specific physical and biological degradations if major physical and chemical disruptions occurred in our atmosphere. Forests, which cover over 4 times 10 to the 9th power hectares (4 times 10 to the 7th power sq km) of our planet, or about 3 times the area now cultivated for crops, are critical to many processes in the biosphere. Forests contribute heavily to the production of atmospheric oxygen, supply the major volume of biomass, and provide a significant percentage of plant and animal habitats.

Tinus, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Remote sensing of canopy chemistry and nitrogen cycling in temperate forest ecosystems

The use of images acquired by the Airborne Imaging Spectrometer, an experimental high-spectral resolution imaging sensor developed by NASA, to estimate the lignin concentration of whole forest canopies in Wisconsin is reported. The observed strong relationship between canopy lignin concentration and nitrogen availability in seven undisturbed forest ecosystems on Blackhawk Island, Wisconsin, suggests that canopy lignin may serve as an index for site nitrogen status. This predictive relationship presents the opportunity to estimate nitrogen-cycling rates across forested landscapes through remote sensing.

Wessman, Carol A.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Modeling directional thermal radiance from a forest canopy

The thermal vegetation canopy radiance model of Smith et al. (1981) is extended to account for the geometrically rough structure of a forest canopy. Fourier series expansion of a canopy height profile is used to calculate improved view facts which partially account for directional variations in canopy thermal radiance transfers. Predictions from the Smith model and the modified model are compared with experimental data obtained over a deciduous forest site in Tennessee. The results show that thermal radiance from a forest canopy depends on sensor viewing angle, solar position, and the degree of geometric roughness of the canopy surface. The maximum off-nadir angle variation in the original model was 1.6 deg C, compared with 4.4 C for the modified model.

Mcguire, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Assessment of forest cover changes using multidate spaceborne imaging radar

Data obtained in 1978 by Seasat and in 1984 by SIR-B over a forested area in northern Florida are analyzed. The objective of the study was to determine the potential for detecting major changes in forest cover utilizing synthetic aperture radar obtained from satellite altitudes, and to define an effective methodology for processing and analyzing digital synthetic aperture radar data obtained on two different dates. It is found that multitemporal synthetic aperture radar data obtained from satellite altitudes can be used to detect major changes in forest cover conditions such as deforestation and reforestation. A suprisingly good level of detectivity was obtained for identifying areas of regrowth after they had been clearcut and replanted.

Lee, Kyu-Sung↗
NASA NTRS1988

Parametric analysis of synthetic aperture radar data for the study of forest stand characteristics

A parametric analysis of a Gulf Coast forest stand was performed using multipolarization, multipath airborne SAR data, and forest plot properties. Allometric equations were used to compute the biomass and basal area for the test plots. A multiple regression analysis with stepwise selection of independent variables was performed. It is found that forest stand characteristics such as biomass, basal area, and average tree height are correlated with SAR data.

Wu, Shih-Tseng↗
NASA NTRS1989

The use of aircraft laser ranging data for forest mensuration

Laser studies dealing with various aspects of forest canopy measurement are reviewed. Aircraft LIDAR data have been used to estimate canopy density, tree heights, forest volume and biomass, to discriminate terrain units, and to add a height component to multispectral forest cover classifications. Linear comparisons between photogrammetrically-estimated canopy density and laser metrics indicate that the laser explains 45-65 percent of the variation noted in the photo estimates.

Nelson, Ross F.↗
NASA NTRS1990

The derivation of a sub-canopy digital terrain model of a flooded forest using synthetic aperture radar

Synthetic aperture radar data from the Shuttle Imaging Radar-B Mission were combined with the tide surface information to create a digital terrain model for a 70-km by 40-km section of the Mouths of the Ganges forests in southern Bangladesh. The dominance of the interaction phenomenon (canopy to surface or surface to canopy reflection) in flooded forests was exploited to create sub-canopy flood boundary maps for two different tide times. The boundary maps were digitally combined in x, y, z space with tide elevation models created from tide gauge data gridding the survey site and used as input to interpolation routines to create a terrain model. The end product represents a significant step in our ability to characterize the topography and hydrology of wetland ecosystems. The model derived here can be used for simulating tidal flow and nutrient transport from the forest to the marine habitat.

Imhoff, Marc Lee↗
NASA NTRS1990

Connecting forest ecosystem and microwave backscatter models

A procedure is outlined to connect data obtained from active microwave remote sensing systems with forest ecosystem models. The hierarchy of forest ecosystem models is discussed, and the levels at which microwave remote sensing data can be used as inputs are identified. In addition, techniques to utilize forest ecosystem models to assist in the validation of theoretical microwave backscatter models are identified. Several examples to illustrate these connecting processes are presented.

Kasischke, Eric S.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Mechanisms of nocturnal exchange between the rain forest and the atmosphere

A number of events that lead to nocturnal turbulent mixing between the Amazon rain forest and the atmosphere were observed. Two mechanisms that weaken the stable nocturnal thermal inversion at canopy top are identified with nocturnal release of carbon dioxide and concurrent heat flux into and moisture flux out of the Amazon forest canopy. In the first mechanism, abrupt onset of cloudiness interrupts nocturnal radiative cooling, leading to a period with lowered Richardson number and enhanced heat, moisture, and carbon dioxide fluxes. Significant exchange between the forest canopy and the atmosphere can also occur even on totally clear nights. On these nights, occasional nocturnal increases in the wind speed above the canopy stimulate vertical oscillations in the canopy layer that are both amplitude- and frequency-modulated during the event. A simple model is presented to support the postulate that these oscillations result from a resonant interaction, hypothesized to be a consequence of a vertically fluctuating pressure gradient force operating on a deepening stable layer near canopy top. Model results indicate that the recovery of the layer takes approximately twice as long as the period of enhanced wind that produced the event.

Fitzjarrald, David R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Geocoding and stereo display of tropical forest multisensor datasets

Concern about the future of tropical forests has led to a demand for geocoded multisensor databases that can be used to assess forest structure, deforestation, thermal response, evapotranspiration, and other parameters linked to climate change. In response to studies being conducted at the Braulino Carrillo National Park, Costa Rica, digital satellite and aircraft images recorded by Landsat TM, SPOT HRV, Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner, and Calibrated Airborne Multispectral Scanner sensors were placed in register using the Landsat TM image as the reference map. Despite problems caused by relief, multitemporal datasets, and geometric distortions in the aircraft images, registration was accomplished to within + or - 20 m (+ or - 1 data pixel). A digital elevation model constructed from a multisensor Landsat TM/SPOT stereopair proved useful for generating perspective views of the rugged, forested terrain.

Welch, R.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Advanced Solid-State Array Spectrometer (ASAS) data sets from the 1990 field season: A unique look at two forested ecosystems

The Advanced Solid-state Array Spectrometer (ASAS) is a pointable imaging spectrometer which uses a solid-state array to acquire imagery of terrestrial targets in 29 spectral bands from .4 to .8 microns. Performance and calibration of the instrument are described. The ASAS data sets obtained in 1990 provide a unique look at forest canopies from two different forest regions of the North America continent under varying temporal, spectral, and bidirectional conditions. These data sets will be used to study such parameters as the albedo of forest canopies, the dynamics of scene radiation due to factors such as canopy architecture, moisture stress, leaf chemistry, topography, and understory composition.

Walthall, Charles L.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Field testing of thermal canopy models in a spruce-fir forest

Recent advances in remote sensing technology allow the use of the thermal infrared region to gain information about vegetative surfaces. Extending existing models to account for thermal radiance transfers within rough forest canopies is of paramount importance. This is so since all processes of interest in the physical climate system and biogeochemical cycles are thermally mediated. Model validation experiments were conducted at a well established boreal forest; northern hardwood forest ecotone research site located in central Maine. Data was collected to allow spatial and temporal validation of thermal models. Emphasis was placed primarily upon enhancing submodels of stomatal behavior, and secondarily upon enhancing boundary layer resistance submodels and accounting for thermal storage in soil and vegetation.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1992

Biophysical, morphological, canopy optical property, and productivity data from the Superior National Forest

Described here are the results of a NASA field experiment conducted in the Superior National Forest near Ely, Minnesota, during the summers of 1983 and 1984. The purpose of the experiment was to examine the use of remote sensing to provide measurements of biophysical parameters in the boreal forests. Leaf area index, biomass, net primary productivity, canopy coverage, overstory and understory species composition data are reported for about 60 sites, representing a range of stand density and age for aspen and spruce. Leaf, needle, and bark high-resolution spectral reflectance and transmittance data are reported for the major boreal forest species. Canopy bidirectional reflectance measurements are provided from a helicopter-mounted Barnes Multiband Modular Radiometer (MMR) and the Thematic Mapper Simulator (TMS) on the NASA C-130 aircraft.

Hall, F. G.↗
NASA NTRS1991

A comparison of photointerpretation and ground measurements of forest structure

Traditional forest inventory methods are compared with photointerpreted results. The accuracy of photointerpretation for forest-type classification is assessed in test locations in northern California. If the accuracy of photointerpretation is not sufficiently high, then the traditional practice of comparing satellite classification to photointerpretation is not justified. If this hypothesis is true, it is speculated that spectral analysis of advanced digital satellite data (SPOT and TM) can be used in conjunction with ancillary ground data to produce forest classifications of the same or better accuracy than by traditional photointerpretation techniques. Results of the accuracy assessment of three levels of classification - species, size class, and density - are presented in tables.

Biging, Greg S.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Estimating structural attributes of Douglas-fir/western hemlock forest stands from Landsat and SPOT imagery

Relationships between spectral and texture variables derived from SPOT HRV 10 m panchromatic and Landsat TM 30 m multispectral data and 16 forest stand structural attributes is evaluated to determine the utility of satellite data for analysis of hemlock forests west of the Cascade Mountains crest in Oregon and Washington, USA. Texture of the HRV data was found to be strongly related to many of the stand attributes evaluated, whereas TM texture was weakly related to all attributes. Data analysis based on regression models indicates that both TM and HRV imagery should yield equally accurate estimates of forest age class and stand structure. It is concluded that the satellite data are a valuable source for estimation of the standard deviation of tree sizes, mean size and density of trees in the upper canopy layers, a structural complexity index, and stand age.

Cohen, Warren B.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Radiative transfer theory for polarimetric remote sensing of pine forest

The radiative transfer theory is applied to interpret polarimetric radar backscatter from pine forest with clustered vegetation structures. To take into account the clustered structures with the radiative transfer theory, the scattering function of each cluster is calculated by incorporating the phase interference of scattered fields from each component. Subsequently, the resulting phase matrix is used in the radiative transfer equations to evaluate the polarimetric backscattering coefficients from random medium layers embedded with vegetation clusters. Upon including the multi-scale structures, namely, trunks, primary and secondary branches, as well as needles, we interpret and simulate the polarimetric radar responses from pine forest for different frequencies and looking angles. The preliminary results are shown to be in good agreement with the measured backscattering coefficients at the Landes maritime pine forest during the MAESTRO-1 experiment.

Hsu, C. C.↗