Forest resource analysis using medium-scale color infrared aerial photography

Technical Report · Mon Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1975

OSTI ID:6690138

Cox, T L; Baxter, F P; Weber, S G

Fall 1973 color infrared aerial photography at 1:24,000 scale (1'' = 2000') was evaluated as a data source for inventorying forest resources. The photography was supplied by NASA (Marshall Space Flight Center) Environmental Applications Office and covered over one-half million acres of land adjacent to Norris Reservoir in east Tennessee. The photography was used to map the following variables: land cover, forest stand size, and forest stand volume. Information from other sources was updated and checked using the photography. The variables mapped from color IR photography were judged to be an adequate substitute for field surveys in the preparation of area management plans. Forest resource data from photo interpretations and other geographic information were used to produce computer generated single variable and overlay maps. An interdisciplinary team used these maps to develop plans for time- and site-specific land management activities. The photography tested was judged to be superior to other photography available for the 10-acre cell level of resolution needed for land management decisions in this application.

• Research Organization: Tennessee Valley Authority, Norris (USA). Div. of Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife Development
• OSTI ID: 6690138
• Report Number(s): NP-25236
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
140504* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
DATA ANALYSIS
FORESTS
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
INFRARED SURVEYS
INVENTORIES
LAND USE
MAPS
PHOTOGRAPHY
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
SURVEYS
TENNESSEE VALLEY REGION