Lidar As A Data Source Of Inventory Data

On September 17th, 2015 our group went on the Orange Trail of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens, Georgia to collect data for our lab. The biome of this area that we explored fit a temperate deciduous forest type. We walked along the trail and picked random spots to start measuring our transects. We measured DBH size and canopy coverage at 10, 20, 30, and 40 meters respectively along each transect for a total of six transects. We used a densitometer to measure the percent of canopy coverage of the tree closest to the center of the sampling points along each of the transects. We used a measuring tape to measure out 10, 20, 30, and 40 meters respectively along each of the six

With the Earth’s first satellites being launched in the early 1970’s, there have been fast advances within the industry since then and whilst there have been many failures, these have mainly been due to the incorrect application of remotely sensed data rather than based upon their intrinsic limitations, however despite the failures, the Geomatics industry continues to be valuable in aiding and protecting countries against natural disasters and with the monitoring of disasters (Carrara et al., 1999). Furthermore, the awareness of geographical data processing is becoming more widespread among western countries along with many developing nations, which enables faster response times to natural disasters through

However, the most promising technologic development is the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) that maintain the safety of our human sources while obtaining remote insights imperative to the overall safety of our nation.

In the recent past, a lot of research has been going on to establish the role unmanned aerial vehicles can play in the economy. Just the other day, the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) released a report which explained in totality, how best this equipment could be used to propel economic growth.

Although the potential contribution of UAVs to sectors such as environmental protection, law enforcement and various commercial activities is apparent, they still seem not to be ready for civilian use. This is due to several reasons, including e.g. civilian UAVs (CUAVs) requiring different technological solutions such as optimized platforms, different endurance requirements, dedicated payloads and different ground control systems. An additional important problem to be solved is the integration of UAVs in the civilian airspace, which will require the adoption of civilian airworthiness standards and proven safety features. Last but not least trust has to be created, both at the public sectors and the commercial community, that CUAVs have economic advantages ( Vanclay 2003)

Austin, R. (2010). Unmanned Aircraft Systems: UAVS Design, Development, and Deployment. West Sussex, United Kingdom: A John Wiley and Sons.

N. A. Brunsell , P. P. B. Pontes & R. A. C. Lamparelli (2009) Remotely Sensed

The purpose of this article has gained the interest of many and gives the results of how and why there is an existence of Bamboo forests in these areas today. There sole purpose was to study paired samples on local and regional scales within and outside large bamboo patches in three regions in western Amazonia (Los Amigos, Cocha Cash, and Acre). Researchers wanted to explain remote sensing techniques to contradictory explain how it has been used to map western Amazonian bamboo forests, leading to an estimation for a total extent of vegetation types. These studied bamboo species range from

For the core indicators and methods to provide defensible resource information at multiple scales a georeferenced, statistically valid sampling framework is necessary. This sampling framework consists of a low-intensity grid that can be intensified for local monitoring needs or supplemented with other probability-based samples, all of which can be used to train remote imagery. An unbiased, statistically valid sampling framework will permit locally collected data to be combined with regional- or national-level data to improve estimates at larger scales. Further, the framework will provide the ability to defensibly answer resource questions about large tracts of land, with relatively few sample locations, and allow for sample-site relocation if an original site is disturbed (Toevs et al. 2011).

The continued development of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) creates new capabilities and continually improves legacy platforms. A system in development over the years is the RQ-7 Shadow. This platform has a wide verity of uses and capabilities ranging from tactical to strategic mission sets. The United States developed this system to provide Brigade (BDE) commanders with improved capabilities and situational awareness within their area or responsibility (AOR) (TC 2-22.7, 2011). Through these advancements UAS are improving the capabilities within the geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) profession by helping to solve GEOINT intelligence problem sets.

If accomplished, Amazon Prime Air will mark the beginning of commercial drone use, which will undoubtedly be followed by other manufacturers using drones for similar purposes. Drones in the recent years have also been geared up for “managing agricultural lands and national parks, tracking wildlife in remote areas, observing the effects of climate change and monitoring the biodiversity of fragile eco-systems,” (Alli, Lavanya Selvam) and provide “assistance to first responders, safe inspection of critical infrastructure such as oil and gas pipelines,” (Small UAV Coalition). The current uses for drones are extensive, and as legislation opens the doors for drones to occupy domestic airspace new uses will continue to

Satellite imagery can can cover much larger areas For example Landsat is able to take fairly high resolution images (30 meters) that are widely available to be used to map riparian zones. Newer remote sensing technology such as the IKONS and quick bird satellites can take even more detailed images, IKONS with a resolution of 0.6m and Quick bird with 4m resolution. Which matches arial photography resolution capabilities. LiDAR remote sensing is used to creating digital elevation models, and determining the density of vegetation, witch can be used in combination with other imagery to better understand the health of the zone (Goetz, S.

Aerial surveys are important to topographers, map makers and even archaeologists so they may fully evaluate their projects. In the olden days, these people had to shell out big bucks to pay for a costly helicopter to get them the perspective they needed. Drone operators can provide these same great aerial shots but at much lower costs. And, unlike helicopters, drones can fly low and slow, which helps them capture better images.

With new technology such as satellites systems, low altitude photography and side looking radar scientists now figure that the world is losing about twenty million hectares of tropical forests annually. It has been suggested that the high deforestation rates are caused partially by the fact that the new surveys are more accurate and thus reveal old deforestation rates that were miscalculated with previous methods (Westoby, 202).

The U.S. office of Military Government (1946) reported that after the Second World War, timber exports from Germany were particularly heavy, and forest area dramatically decreased consequently. But with change of national and regional policies the rate of deforestation started to decline (FAO, 2011). The effect of this policy change is also visible in the results of this study, so that deforestation in the second decade (2000-2010) was almost half (0.44) of the first decade (2000-1990), while a downward trend has accelerated in grasslands so that in the second decade, this area declined approximately 1.67 times more than the first