MOVING FORWARD WITH LIDAR REMOTE SENSING: AIRBORNE ASSESSMENT OF FOREST CANOPY PARAMETERS

摘要

The use of airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) to evaluate forest canopy parameters is vital in order to properly address both forest management and ecological concerns. This study was conducted in the Piney Woods region of East Texas aroundHuntsville, Coldspring and Livingston. The overall goal of this paper is to develop the use of airborne laser methods in evaluating various canopy parameters such as percent canopy cover and Leaf Area Index (LAI). Both these parameters are of interest indetermining biomass and carbon models as well as fuel loads. Scanning LIDAR can be used to assess both canopy cover and LAI as well as fuel loads. The primary objective of this project is to develop scanning LIDAR methods to estimate LAI and canopy cover over both coniferous and hardwood forests. For accuracy purposes, the parameters of interest are assessed by both airborne and ground-based methods. Measurements by all methods are compared and LIDAR canopy data is evaluated for accuracy. The methods described in this study show great potential for driving changes in forest inventory practices concerning the accurate assessment of canopy parameters.