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A New Way to Look at Forests
October 30, 2009Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, b-fannin@tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Sorin Popescu, 979-862-2614, s-popescu@tamu.edu
COLLEGE STATION – For years, aerial photography has aided researchers in surveying the density of forests. However, a recent Texas AgriLife Research study shows that infrared detection allows for a more comprehensive measurement for trees and other plant life.
Lidar technology, which can be applied both on the ground, air and space, uses intensive pulses of light to capture information and give researchers a more comprehensive look at a surveyed area.
“Lidar creates the premise for 3-D modeling of vegetation structure, providing a three-dimensional look versus regular aerial photos that provide only a two-dimensional view,” said Dr. Sorin Popescu, AgriLife Research scientist and associate professor of remote sensing in College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Department of Ecosystem Science and Management. “It gives us a more clear picture of what’s there.”
Popescu and graduate student Wesley Marcell presented the study findings recently at Silvilaser 2009, an international forestry lidar conference held at Texas A&M University. The conference brought together international scholars who gave presentations on the latest lidar applications for assessing forest ecosystems.
Many of the conference presenters touted the merits of lidar technology, saying lidar applications, if adopted broadly by foresters, would cut down on the hundreds of hours of fieldwork required for surveying forests.
According to Popescu, field collection yields only an estimate of tree and plant population and gives only a snapshot view of larger areas.
The infrared laser technology can be used on the ground, air and in space. It can be applied in various aspects of forestry research, including carbon sequestration analysis and forest fire risk prediction.
“We’ve used it in different contexts, identifying trees, measuring height and the crown of trees,” he said. “This technology is extremely beneficial to examine carbon sequestration potential and how it affects vegetation and tree growth.”
The study involved collecting data over the Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville, analyzing not only the number of trees, but tree measurement as well. A lidar sensor mounted on an aircraft flew over selected areas.
“The lidar sensor had the capability of being adjusted for angle and altitude of the aircraft," Popescu said.
The infrared laser results depicted more precise measurements of trees in the sampled area, he added.
After finalizing the study, he said, the research methods can be applied in other areas, such as determining tree populations among the largest forests in the U.S.
“The way they are doing it now is by field measurement,” he said. “This technology would compliment or practically reduce the effort the (U.S.) forest service is doing on the ground.”
It can also assist electrical power plants looking to earn offset credits as part of carbon sequestration efforts, he said.
The infrared lidar research is part of a NASA-funded project aiming at assessing forest biomass with air- and space-borne sensors. A separate project funded through the AgriLife Research Bioenergy Initiative is using ground-based lidar and remote-sensing imagery for assessing brushland biomass in Vernon in the Rolling Plains region.
"This data collection will be used to determine the future potential of using brushland for biomass production,” he said. “This will give an accurate assessment of how much biomass potential there is for a (bioenergy) production facility in that area, helping them plan for future production.”
To view some of Popescu’s research publications, visit http://ssl.tamu.edu/about-us/people/s-popescu/publications.aspx.
For more information about Silvilaser, visit http://ssl.tamu.edu/about-us/people/s-popescu/publications.aspx.
About the college:
With an enrollment of almost 6,500 students in 14 academic departments, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees and has a faculty of over 400 members, including a Nobel laureate and a Pulitzer Prize winner. Research programs include food sustainability and safety, human and animal health, genetics, renewable natural resources and bioenergy. Mark Hussey is Vice Chancellor and Dean.
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