Applications of remote sensing to forested ecosystems

Conference · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00131175· OSTI ID:5782305

Iverson, L R; Graham, R L; Cook, E A

Since the launch of the first civilian earth-observing satellite in 1972, satellite remote sensing has provided increasingly sophisticated information on the structure and function of forested ecosystems. Forest classification and mapping, common uses of satellite data, have improved over the years as a result of more discriminating sensors, better classification algorithms, and the use of geographic information systems to incorporate additional spatially referenced data such as topography. Land-use change, including conversion of forests for urban or agricultural development, can now be detected and rats of changes calculated by superimposing satellite images taken at different dates. Landscape ecological questions regarding landscape pattern and the variables controlling observed patterns can be addressed using satellite imagery as can forestry and ecological questions regarding spatial variations in physiological characteristics, productivity, successional patterns, forest structure, and forest decline. 91 refs., 1 fig.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 5782305
• Report Number(s): CONF-8808262-1; ON: DE89016160
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
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Terrestrial-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BASELINE ECOLOGY
ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION
ECOLOGY
EVALUATION
FORESTS
GROWTH
LAND USE
MONITORING
PLANT GROWTH
REMOTE SENSING
SATELLITES