scholarly journals Modelling and Predicting the Growing Stock Volume in Small-Scale Plantation Forests of Tanzania Using Multi-Sensor Image Synergy

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernest William Mauya ◽  
Joni Koskinen ◽  
Katri Tegel ◽  
Jarno Hämäläinen ◽  
Tuomo Kauranne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Forest Inventory ◽  
Remotely Sensed ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Remotely Sensed Data ◽  
Weighted Mean ◽  
Alos Palsar ◽  
Growing Stock ◽  
Stock Volume ◽  
Sentinel 2

Remotely sensed assisted forest inventory has emerged in the past decade as a robust and cost efficient method for generating accurate information on forest biophysical parameters. The launching and public access of ALOS PALSAR-2, Sentinel-1 (SAR), and Sentinel-2 together with the associated open-source software, has further increased the opportunity for application of remotely sensed data in forest inventories. In this study, we evaluated the ability of ALOS PALSAR-2, Sentinel-1 (SAR) and Sentinel-2 and their combinations to predict growing stock volume in small-scale forest plantations of Tanzania. The effects of two variable extraction approaches (i.e., centroid and weighted mean), seasonality (i.e., rainy and dry), and tree species on the prediction accuracy of growing stock volume when using each of the three remotely sensed data were also investigated. Statistical models relating growing stock volume and remotely sensed predictor variables at the plot-level were fitted using multiple linear regression. The models were evaluated using the k-fold cross validation and judged based on the relative root mean square error values (RMSEr). The results showed that: Sentinel-2 (RMSEr = 42.03% and pseudo − R2 = 0.63) and the combination of Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 (RMSEr = 46.98% and pseudo − R2 = 0.52), had better performance in predicting growing stock volume, as compared to Sentinel-1 (RMSEr = 59.48% and pseudo − R2 = 0.18) alone. Models fitted with variables extracted from the weighted mean approach, turned out to have relatively lower RMSEr % values, as compared to centroid approaches. Sentinel-2 rainy season based models had slightly smaller RMSEr values, as compared to dry season based models. Dense time series (i.e., annual) data resulted to the models with relatively lower RMSEr values, as compared to seasonal based models when using variables extracted from the weighted mean approach. For the centroid approach there was no notable difference between the models fitted using dense time series versus rain season based predictor variables. Stratifications based on tree species resulted into lower RMSEr values for Pinus patula tree species, as compared to other tree species. Finally, our study concluded that combination of Sentinel-1&2 as well as the use Sentinel-2 alone can be considered for remote-sensing assisted forest inventory in the small-scale plantation forests of Tanzania. Further studies on the effect of field plot size, stratification and statistical methods on the prediction accuracy are recommended.

scholarly journals The Use of Remotely Sensed Data and Polish NFI Plots for Prediction of Growing Stock Volume Using Different Predictive Methods

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 3331
Author(s):  
Paweł Hawryło ◽  
Saverio Francini ◽  
Gherardo Chirici ◽  
Francesca Giannetti ◽  
Karolina Parkitna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Learning ◽  
Remotely Sensed ◽  
Parameter Estimates ◽  
Remotely Sensed Data ◽  
Positional Accuracy ◽  
Growing Stock ◽  
3D Point Clouds ◽  
Predictive Methods ◽  
Predictive Approaches ◽  
Stock Volume

Forest growing stock volume (GSV) is an important parameter in the context of forest resource management. National Forest Inventories (NFIs) are routinely used to estimate forest parameters, including GSV, for national or international reporting. Remotely sensed data are increasingly used as a source of auxiliary information for NFI data to improve the spatial precision of forest parameter estimates. In this study, we combine data from the NFI in Poland with satellite images of Landsat 7 and 3D point clouds collected with airborne laser scanning (ALS) technology to develop predictive models of GSV. We applied an area-based approach using 13,323 sample plots measured within the second cycle of the NFI in Poland (2010–2014) with poor positional accuracy from several to 15 m. Four different predictive approaches were evaluated: multiple linear regression, k-Nearest Neighbours, Random Forest and Deep Learning fully connected neural network. For each of these predictive methods, three sets of predictors were tested: ALS-derived, Landsat-derived and a combination of both. The developed models were validated at the stand level using field measurements from 360 reference forest stands. The best accuracy (RMSE% = 24.2%) and lowest systematic error (bias% = −2.2%) were obtained with a deep learning approach when both ALS- and Landsat-derived predictors were used. However, the differences between the evaluated predictive approaches were marginal when using the same set of predictor variables. Only a slight increase in model performance was observed when adding the Landsat-derived predictors to the ALS-derived ones. The obtained results showed that GSV can be predicted at the stand level with relatively low bias and reasonable accuracy for coniferous species, even using field sample plots with poor positional accuracy for model development. Our findings are especially important in the context of GSV prediction in areas where NFI data are available but the collection of accurate positions of field plots is not possible or justified because of economic reasons.

scholarly journals Regression kriging to improve basal area and growing stock volume estimation based on remotely sensed data, terrain indices and forest inventory of black pine forests

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ferhat Bolat ◽  
Sinan Bulut ◽  
Alkan Günlü ◽  
İlker Ercanlı ◽  
Muammer Şenyurt
Keyword(s):  
Stand Structure ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Volume Estimation ◽  
Landsat 8 ◽  
Regression Kriging ◽  
Remotely Sensed Data ◽  
Growing Stock ◽  
Stock Volume ◽  
Mean Square Errors ◽  
Sentinel 2

Background: The use of satellite imagery to quantify forest metrics has become popular because of the high costs associated with the collection of data in the field.Methods: Multiple linear regression (MLR) and regression kriging (RK) techniques were used for the spatial interpolation of basal area (G) and growing stock volume (GSV) based on Landsat 8 and Sentinel-2. The performance of the models was tested using the repeated k-fold cross-validation method.Results: The prediction accuracy of G and GSV was strongly related to forest vegetation structure and spatial dependency. The nugget value of semivariograms suggested a moderately spatial dependence for both variables (nugget/sill ratio approx. 70%). Landsat 8 and Sentinel-2 based RK explained approximately 52% of the total variance in G and GSV. Root-mean-square errors were 7.84 m2 ha-1 and 49.68 m3 ha-1 for G and GSV, respectively.Conclusions: The diversity of stand structure particularly at the poorer sites was considered the principal factor decreasing the prediction quality of G and GSV by RK.

scholarly journals Estimation of Boreal Forest Growing Stock Volume in Russia from Sentinel-2 MSI and Land Cover Classification

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 4483
Author(s):  
W. Gareth Rees ◽  
Jack Tomaney ◽  
Olga Tutubalina ◽  
Vasily Zharko ◽  
Sergey Bartalev
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Land Cover Classification ◽  
Fundamental Parameter ◽  
Sensing Data ◽  
Growing Stock ◽  
Stock Volume ◽  
Sentinel 2

Growing stock volume (GSV) is a fundamental parameter of forests, closely related to the above-ground biomass and hence to carbon storage. Estimation of GSV at regional to global scales depends on the use of satellite remote sensing data, although accuracies are generally lower over the sparse boreal forest. This is especially true of boreal forest in Russia, for which knowledge of GSV is currently poor despite its global importance. Here we develop a new empirical method in which the primary remote sensing data source is a single summer Sentinel-2 MSI image, augmented by land-cover classification based on the same MSI image trained using MODIS-derived data. In our work the method is calibrated and validated using an extensive set of field measurements from two contrasting regions of the Russian arctic. Results show that GSV can be estimated with an RMS uncertainty of approximately 35–55%, comparable to other spaceborne estimates of low-GSV forest areas, with 70% spatial correspondence between our GSV maps and existing products derived from MODIS data. Our empirical approach requires somewhat laborious data collection when used for upscaling from field data, but could also be used to downscale global data.

Modification of a groundwater prospect zone index using remotely sensed data and the analytic network process in the eastern part of Lesvos island, Greece.

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 126-143
Author(s):  
Terpsichori MITSI ◽  
◽  
Demetre ARGIALAS ◽  
Konstantinos VAMVOUKAKIS ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ground Water ◽  
Analytic Network Process ◽  
Remotely Sensed ◽  
Groundwater Potential ◽  
Landsat 8 ◽  
Groundwater Prospect ◽  
Remotely Sensed Data ◽  
Potential Index ◽  
Network Process ◽  
Sentinel 2

Because of climate change and overpopulation, the demand for water is increasing. Groundwater constitutes an alternative renewable source of aquifer, so the spatial distribution of ground water provides important information on its qualitative and quantitative status. This paper develops a methodology for delineating potential ground water zones using remotely sensed data and GIS. The developed methodology was based on the empirical index GPI (MGPI – Modified Groundwater Potential Index) and was applied to the eastern part of Lesvos Island, Greece. To evaluate the criteria used for the result, the Analytic Network Process (ANP) was applied to weight each parameter. The dataset used consists of satellite images derived from Sentinel 2 and Landsat 8, which were combined with vector and raster data, to create the necessary thematic layers. To validate the results, existing ground water zones from the Municipal Water Company of Lesvos were used.

scholarly journals Estimation of Forest Growing Stock Volume with UAV Laser Scanning Data: Can It Be Done without Field Data?

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Puliti ◽  
Johannes Breidenbach ◽  
Rasmus Astrup
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Field Data ◽  
Image Data ◽  
Visual Assessment ◽  
Average Density ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Tree Crowns ◽  
Growing Stock ◽  
Stock Volume

Laser scanning data from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV-LS) offer new opportunities to estimate forest growing stock volume ( V ) exclusively based on the UAV-LS data. We propose a method to measure tree attributes and using these measurements to estimate V without the use of field data for calibration. The method consists of five steps: i) Using UAV-LS data, tree crowns are automatically identified and segmented wall-to-wall. ii) From all detected tree crowns, a sample is taken where diameter at breast height (DBH) can be recorded reliably as determined by visual assessment in the UAV-LS data. iii) Another sample of crowns is taken where tree species were identifiable from UAV image data. iv) DBH and tree species models are fit using the samples and applied to all detected tree crowns. v) Single tree volumes are predicted with existing allometric models using predicted species and DBH, and height directly obtained from UAV-LS. The method was applied to a Riegl-VUX data set with an average density of 1130 points m−2 and 3 cm orthomosaic acquired over an 8.8 ha managed boreal forest. The volumes of the identified trees were aggregated to estimate plot-, stand-, and forest-level volumes which were validated using 58 independently measured field plots. The root-mean-square deviance ( R M S D % ) decreased when increasing the spatial scale from the plot (32.2%) to stand (27.1%) and forest level (3.5%). The accuracy of the UAV-LS estimates varied given forest structure and was highest in open pine stands and lowest in dense birch or spruce stands. On the forest level, the estimates based on UAV-LS data were well within the 95% confidence interval of the intense field survey estimate, and both estimates had a similar precision. While the results are encouraging for further use of UAV-LS in the context of fully airborne forest inventories, future studies should confirm our findings in a variety of forest types and conditions.

Detecting areas affected by flood using multi-temporal ALOS PALSAR remotely sensed data in Karawang, West Java, Indonesia

2015 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 959-985 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fajar Yulianto ◽  
Parwati Sofan ◽  
Any Zubaidah ◽  
Kusumaning Ayu Dyah Sukowati ◽  
Junita Monika Pasaribu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Remotely Sensed ◽  
Remotely Sensed Data ◽  
Alos Palsar ◽  
West Java ◽  
Multi Temporal

scholarly journals Distribution Statistics Preserving Post-Processing Method With Plot Level Uncertainty Analysis for Remotely Sensed Data-Based Forest Inventory Predictions

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1677
Author(s):  
Virpi Junttila ◽  
Tuomo Kauranne
Keyword(s):  
Forest Inventory ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Accuracy Assessment ◽  
Remotely Sensed ◽  
Processing Method ◽  
Post Processing ◽  
Remotely Sensed Data ◽  
Training Set ◽  
Study Sites

Remotely sensed data-based models used in operational forest inventory usually give precise and accurate predictions on average, but they often suffer from systematic under- or over-estimation of extreme attribute values resulting in too narrow or skewed attribute distributions. We use a post-processing method based on the statistics of a proper, representative training set to correct the predictions and their probability intervals, attaining corrected predictions that reproduce the statistics of the whole population. Performance of the method is validated with three forest attributes from seven study sites in Finland with training set sizes from 50 to over 400 field plots. The results are compared to those of the uncorrected predictions given by linear models using airborne laser scanning data. The post-processing method improves the accuracy assessment linear fit between the predictions and the reference set by 35.4–51.8% and the distribution fit by 44.5–95.0%. The prediction root mean square error declines on the average by 6.3%. The systematic under- and over-estimation are reduced consistently with all training set sizes. The level of uncertainty is maintained well as the probability intervals cover the real uncertainty while keeping the average probability interval width similar to the one in uncorrected predictions.

scholarly journals Estimating Land Use and Land Cover Change in North Central Georgia: Can Remote Sensing Observations Augment Traditional Forest Inventory Data?

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gretchen G. Moisen ◽  
Kelly S. McConville ◽  
Todd A. Schroeder ◽  
Sean P. Healey ◽  
Mark V. Finco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Forest Inventory ◽  
Remotely Sensed ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Inventory Data ◽  
Remotely Sensed Data ◽  
North Central ◽  
Forest Inventory Data ◽  
Long Time

Throughout the last three decades, north central Georgia has experienced significant loss in forest land and tree cover. This study revealed the temporal patterns and thematic transitions associated with this loss by augmenting traditional forest inventory data with remotely sensed observations. In the US, there is a network of field plots measured consistently through time from the USDA Forest Service’s Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program, serial photo-based observations collected through image-based change estimation (ICE) methodology, and historical Landsat-based observations collected through TimeSync. The objective here was to evaluate how these three data sources could be used to best estimate land use and land cover (LULC) change. Using data collected in north central Georgia, we compared agreement between the three data sets, assessed the ability of each to yield adequately precise and temporally coherent estimates of land class status as well as detect net and transitional change, and we evaluated the effectiveness of using remotely sensed data in an auxiliary capacity to improve detection of statistically significant changes. With the exception of land cover from FIA plots, agreement between paired data sets for land use and cover was nearly 85%, and estimates of land class proportion were not significantly different for overlapping time intervals. Only the long time series of TimeSync data revealed significant change when conducting analyses over five-year intervals and aggregated land categories. Using ICE and TimeSync data through a two-phase estimator improved precision in estimates but did not achieve temporal coherence. We also show analytically that using auxiliary remotely sensed data for post-stratification for binary responses must be based on maps that are extremely accurate in order to see gains in precision. We conclude that, in order to report LULC trends in north central Georgia with adequate precision and temporal coherence, we need data collected on all the FIA plots each year over a long time series and broadly collapsed LULC classes.

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