Northern forest ecosystem dynamics using coupled models and remote sensing

    Authors

    K. J. Ranson; G. Sun; R. G. Knox; E. R. Levine; J. F. Weishampel;S. T. Fifer

    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Remote Sens. Environ.

    Keywords

    RADAR BACKSCATTER; BOREAL FORESTS; SAR IMAGES; BIOMASS; CLASSIFICATION; MULTIFREQUENCY; TEMPERATURE; SIMULATION; ALASKA; MAINE; Environmental Sciences; Remote Sensing; Imaging Science & Photographic; Technology

    Abstract

    Forest ecosystem dynamics modeling, remote sensing data analysis, ann a geographical information system (GIS) were used together to determine the possible growth and development of a northern forest in Maine, USA. Field measurements and airborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data were used to produce maps of forest cover type and above ground biomass. These forest attribute maps derived with remote sensing data, along with a conventional soils map, were used to identify the initial conditions for forest ecosystem model simulations. Using this information along with ecosystem model results enabled the development of predictive maps of forest development The results obtained were consistent with observed forest conditions and expected successional trajectories. The study demonstrated that ecosystem models might be used in a spatial context when parametrized and used with georeferenced data sets. (C) Elsevier Science Inc., 2001. All Rights Reserved.

    Journal Title

    Remote Sensing of Environment

    Volume

    75

    Issue/Number

    2

    Publication Date

    1-1-2001

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    291

    Last Page

    302

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000166637000012

    ISSN

    0034-4257

    Share

    COinS