Modelling forest structure and species composition
Context
The structure of woodlands or forest plays an important role in determining microclimatic conditions (including radiation levels at the forest floor), the availability of niche space, habitat quality, carbon stocks and sequestration, the distribution of fuels and subsequent fire behaviour.
Characterising both the vertical and horizontal structure of forests and woodland is therefore extremely important in landscape, habitat, fire and carbon modelling.
Approach
For a selection of woodlands across southern England, an integrated data set of different airborne remote sensing data have been collected through bespoke acquisition campaigns.
Using time series multi-spectral data (from the Airborne Thematic Mapper) tree species maps have been created. Individual tree species have been classified by distinctive phenological patterns in their spectral signatures.
Using airborne laser scanning (LiDAR) data, forest structure has been modelled. For example, measures such as canopy height, density. gap fraction, and surface roughness have been derived.
Using airborne LiDAR data from leaf-on and leaf-off conditions it has also been possible to map the otherwise hidden understorey layer.
Outcomes
The data on forest structure and species composition have used to model woodland carbon stocks and sequestration and habitat quality for woodland birds.
Publications
Hill, R.A., Kotagiri, N.R., Briggs, D.D.J., & Broughton, R.K. Using differential laser penetration rates to map woodland understorey from leaf-on and leaf-off airborne LiDAR data. Remote Sensing of Environment, submitted.
Hill, R.A., & Thomson, A.G. (2005) Mapping woodland species composition and structure using airborne spectral and LiDAR data. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 17, 3763-3779.
Patenaude, G., Hill, R.A., Milne, R., Gaveau, D.L.A., Briggs, B.B.J., & Dawson, T.P. (2004) Quantifying forest above ground carbon content using LiDAR remote sensing. Remote Sensing of Environment, 93, 368-380.
Gaveau, D.L.A., & Hill, R.A. (2003) Quantifying canopy height underestimation by laser pulse penetration in small-footprint airborne laser scanning data. Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing, 29, 650-657.
Hill, R.A. & Veitch, N. (2002) Landscape visualisation: rendering a virtual reality simulation from airborne laser altimetry and multi-spectral scanning data. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 23, 3307-3309.
Hill, R.A., Smith, G.M., Fuller, R.M., & Veitch, N. (2002) Landscape modelling using integrated airborne multi-spectral and elevation data. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 23, 2327-2334.
Contact email address
Dr Ross Hill
| School of Conservation Sciences | |
| Bournemouth University Christchurch House Talbot Campus Poole Dorset BH12 5BB UK |
Email: consci@bournemouth.ac.uk Website: www.bournemouth.ac.uk/cceec/ Tel: +44 (0) 1202 965178 Fax: +44 (0) 1202 965530 |
