Progress 01/01/01 to 06/30/06
Outputs
Worked on the Stennis NSTL forest inventory project on 16,652 acres as regards field crew training and data collection for inventory and growth data. Graduate student Wilkinson completed his M.S. thesis project and began work on a Ph.D. project. Reviewed article (FORECO 1351) for the Forest Ecology and Management Journal. Reviewed article (RSE D-05-00418) for the Remote Sensing of the Environment Journal. LiDAR research over the past 7 years in northwestern and southern timber stands by MSU researchers has answered questions on sampling methods (Parker and Evans, 2004), point density (Parker and Glass, 2004), and processing methods (Parker and Mitchel, 2005). The resulting methodology has resulted in large area, industrial applications where operational methods were applied successfully to 20,000 ha of pine plantations and achieved a desired age strata level of inventory precision (15% error) at an acceptable cost of approximately $3.82/ha. The research also produced a
software application system that automates the double-sample inventory computations for user applications.
Impacts
Reduced implementation times and costs of large area inventories using LiDAR with ground-based inventories in various statistical procedures.
Publications
- Evans, D.L., S.D. Roberts, and R.C. Parker. 2006. LiDAR--A new tool for forest measurements? The Forestry Chronicle 22(2):211-219.
- Parker, R.C. 2006. Computer application of a LiDAR double-sample forest inventory. Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Bulletin 275, Mississippi State University, 19pp.
- Wilkinson, David W. 2006. Comparison of remote sensing change detection techniques for use in a statewide forest inventory program in the state of Mississippi. MS Thesis. Mississippi State University. 59 pp.
|
Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Developed field specifications for timber inventory and damage assessment of the Stennis Space Center timberlands in cooperation with the Management-Economics staff. Worked with Remote Sensing staff in developing aerial interpretation techniques and training photo-interpreters for assessing timber damage from Hurricane Katrina in South Mississippi. Presented invited paper at the ForestSAT international conference on a microcomputer windows-based software system for automation of the inventory and statistical computations of a stratified, LiDAR double-sample forest inventory. Conducted a one-day workshop for Corps of Engineers on interpreting and using aerial photography, a two-day GPS workshop for forest resource managers, and a one-day worshop for land appraisers on appraising and evaluating Mississippi timberlands. Coauthored papers with graduate students Tilley and Clarkson on cost considerations of using LiDAR in timber inventory and evaluation of LiDAR sampling
of under story density levels in pine plantations, respectively. Edited Chapter 5: Forest Measurements, Managing Forests on Private Timberlands in Alabama and the Southeast for Auburn University, Department of Forestry. Graduate student Matt Clarkson completed his thesis on a project to describe under story vegetative density with LiDAR. Graduate student David Wilkinson completed his thesis on the evaluation of change detection methods on LandSat imagery for forest age and type determination . Graduate student Eric Williams continued his thesis work on a LiDAR inventory application using previously established ground-based tree attribute relationships with the spatial data. Graduate student Kurt Oberhofer completed the spatial aspects and began work on the linked attribute tables of a corporate application of a GIS. Ph.D. student Curt Collins began development of a dissertation research project that involves developing a model to predict tree damage from hurricane winds.
Impacts
Use of new technology for forest inventory using LiDAR in a double-sampling procedure will reduce costs of large area inventories.
Publications
- Parker, R.C. and A.L. Mitchel. 2005. Smoothed versus unsmoothed LiDAR in a double-sample forest inventory. Southern Journal of Applied Forestry 29(1):40-47
- Parker, R.C., P.A. Glass, H.A. Londo, D.L. Evans, K.L. Belli, T.G. Matney, and E.B. Schultz. 2005. Mississippi's Forest Inventory Pilot Program: Use of Computer and Spatial Technologies in Large Area Inventories. FWRC Research Bulletin FO-274, Mississippi State University. 43pp
|
Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Worked on forest inventory applications of LiDAR within a double-sampling forest inventory procedure. Completed field work and data analysis on a MOA research project with Weyerhaeuser Company on testing LiDAR for forest inventory in known age classes of pine plantations. A double-sample forest inventory with ground and airborne LiDAR resulted in volume estimates with less than a 5% sampling error at the 95% level of confidence. Completed the microcomputer windows-based software system for automation of the inventory and statistical computations of a stratified, LiDAR double-sample forest inventory. Inventory work resulted in the publication of 2 journal articles, with 1 more journal article to be published next year along with 2 FWRC research publications. 1 paper on inventory work was also accepted for an international conference to be published at a later date. Graduate student Matt Clarkson completed his field work in Louisiana on a project to describe under story
vegetative density with LiDAR. Graduate student David Wilkinson began his thesis project on the evaluation of change detection methods on LandSat imagery for forest age determination . Graduate student Eric Williams began thesis work in the LiDAR inventory area . Graduate student Kurt Oberhofer completed the spatial aspects and began work on the linked attribute tables of a corporate application of a GIS. Ph.D. student Curt Collins began development of a dissertation research project on using LiDAR in forest productivity and site analyses.
Impacts
Use of new technology for forest inventory using LiDAR in a double-sampling procedure will reduce costs of large area inventories.
Publications
- Parker, R. C. and D. L. Evans. 2004. An application of LIDAR in a double-sample forest inventory. Western Journal of Applied Forestry 19(2): 95-101.
- Parker, R.C. and P.A. Glass 2004. High versus low density LiDAR in a double-sample forest inventory. Southern Journal of Applied Forestry 28(4):205-210.
|
Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Worked on forest inventory applications of LiDAR within a double-sampling forest inventory procedure. Data analysis was completed for the Lee Experimental Forest area in Louisiana. LiDAR derived volume estimates were obtained with a 7.6 percent sampling error. Phase 2 estimates of volume from independent variables of LiDAR basal area and LiDAR cubic volume were not significantly different on high- versus low-density, smoothed or unsmoothed LiDAR surfaces. Volume estimates from unsmoothed, low-density LiDAR had the lowest sampling and standard errors. Began field work on a MOA research project with Weyerhaeuser Company on testing LiDAR for forest inventory in known age classes of pine plantations. Completed the microcomputer software system for automation of the inventory and statistical computations of a stratified, LiDAR double-sample forest inventory. Inventory work resulted in the submission of 3 journal papers on LiDAR and 2 FWRC research bulletins. Graduate
student Curtis A. Collins completed his thesis on comparing ground truth data to LiDAR and multi-spectral image data in Mississippi hardwood stands and will present a professional paper on his project at the ASPRS meeting in Denver in the spring of 2004. Graduate student Matt Clarkson completed his field work in Louisiana on a project to describe understory vegetative density with LiDAR. New graduate students David Wilkinson and Eric Williams are beginning work in the inventory area. Graduate students=4.
Impacts
Use of new technology for forest inventory using LiDAR in a double-sampling procedure will reduce costs of large area inventories.
Publications
- Collins,C.A. 2003. Comparing Integrated LiDAR and Multi-Spectral Data With Field Measurements in Hardwood Stands,M.S. Thesis.
- Lee, G.S. and R.C. Parker. 2003. Standing tree weight and volume tables for natural loblolly pine. FWRC Research Bulletin FO-222. 14 p.
- Zimble, D.A., D.L. Evans, G.C. Carlson, R.C. Parker, S.C. Grado, and P.D. Gerard. 2003. Characterizing vertical forest structure using small-footprint multi-return airborne LIDAR. Remote Sensing of Environment 87:171-182.
|
Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
Worked on forest inventory applications of LiDAR within a double-sampling forest inventory procedure. Data analysis was completed for the Idaho study area and preliminary analysis of ground data was begun for the Lee Experimental Forest area in Louisiana. LiDAR derived volume estimates on the Idaho site were obtained with a 11 percent sampling error. Phase 2 estimates of volume from independent variables of LiDAR basal area and LiDAR cubic volume were not significantly different. Adjusted mean volume per acre was best when obtained from regression estimates of mean ground volume as a function of LiDAR basal area from Phase 1 and Phase 2 plots. Presentations on the LiDAR inventory applications were made at the 2002 ForestSat conference in Edinburgh, Scotland and the 2002 IUFRO conference in Blacksburg, Virginia, and a paper was accepted for publication in 2003 in the Western Journal of Applied Forestry. A CFR Research Bulletin on Use of Computer and Spatial
Technologies in Large Area Inventories is in review. Worked with graduate student Collins on analysis procedures for comparing ground truth data to LiDAR and multi-spectral image data in Mississippi hardwood stands. Graduate student Shane Lee completed his thesis on "Standing tree weights of Loblolly pine at the first delivery point and compatible volume functions" and a journal article and CFR Research Bulletin from the thesis are in review. Graduate students = 3.
Impacts
Use of new technology for forest inventory using LiDAR in a double-sampling procedure to reduce costs of large area inventories.
Publications
- Parker, R.C. and D.L.Evans 2002. An application of LiDAR in a double-sample forest inventory. In Abstracts of the 2002 ForestSat Conference: Operational Tools in Forestry using Remote Sensing Techniques, Edinburgh, Scotland. Aug. 5-9, 2002
- Parker, R.C. and D.L.Evans 2002. An application of LiDAR in a double-sample forest inventory. In Abstracts of the 2002 IUFRO Conference (IUFRO S4.11): Symposium on Statistics and Information Technology in Foretry. Blacksburg, VA. Sept. 9-12, 2002
- Lee, G. Shane. 2002. Standing tree weights of loblolly pine at the first delivery point and compatible volume functions. Masters Thesis, August 2002, Mississippi State University, Department of Forestry. 88 p.
- Young, Brad. 2002. Effectiveness of silvicultural streamside management zones in the Sand-Clay Hills of Mississippi. Masters Thesis, May 2002, Mississippi State University, Department of Forestry. 88 p.
- Jackson, Sammy. 2002. Development of an economic assessment of the cost effectiveness of LIDAR derived stand parameters in relation to conventional methods. Masters Thesis, August 2002, Mississippi State University, Department of Forestry. 68 p.
|
Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
Worked on forest inventory applications of a new generation of high-resolution aerial sensors for the measurement of tree height, crown area in relation to stem diameter, and trees per acre from Lidar images versus ground truth in Washington, Idaho and Mississippi. Worked with graduate student Collins in the development of field sampling and analysis procedures for the ground truth data in Mississippi hardwood stands. A master's thesis by Eggleston (2001) describes the results for the Washington site and a master's thesis by Zimble (2002) describes the Lidar procedures and results in detail for the Idaho study. Ground inventory data were collected in Idaho and analysis is continuing on using Lidar within a double-sampling forest inventory procedure. Worked on an inventory project for the NASA Stennis Space Center timberlands in south Mississippi. A comprehensive field inventory manual was developed for use with the field computer software. Field computer application
systems were modified for the project. GPS real-time units were use for navigation to randomly selected plots. Volume and statistical computations were completed for use in another phase of the study by forest management personnel.
Impacts
The Lidar research will provide information about a new remote sensing tool that can be used with traditional ground inventory methods to obtain more precise forest inventory data in a cost efficient procedure.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
|