Hyperspectral Remote Sensing of Tropical and Sub-Tropical Forests

Hyperspectral Remote Sensing of Tropical and Sub-Tropical Forests

Language: English

Pages: 352

ISBN: 1420053418

Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub


While frequently used in temperate environments, hyperspectral sensors and data are still a novelty in the tropics. Exploring the potential of hyperspectral remote sensing for assessing ecosystem characteristics, Hyperspectral Remote Sensing of Tropical and Sub-Tropical Forests focuses on the complex and unique set of challenges involved in using this technology and the data it provides.

Special Features

  • A CD-ROM including hyperspectral color images
  • Coverage of in situ spectroscopy, airborne and satellite-based remote sensing, and fusion with other forms of data such as LiDAR
  • Peer-reviewed chapters that highlight the most innovative achievements
  • Discussion of the potential of hyperspectral remote sensing to provide tools for assessing ecosystem characteristics at various spatial and temporal scales

Experts from Diverse Backgrounds Share Their Successes

The book explores a range of analysis techniques, including hyperspectral reflectance indices, spectral mixture analysis, pattern classification, band selection, partial least-squares, linear discriminant analysis, and radiative transfer models. The chapter authors present a comprehensive review of the current status and innovative achievements in the field, citing approximately six hundred studies. As illustrated by the diverse backgrounds of the contributors, the most successful use of hyperspectral data requires a multidisciplinary approach spanning a wide range of fields.

Go Beyond the Basics to Actual Application

Although it begins by touching on the basics, this book is not a tutorial in remote sensing, but a reference that illustrates the potential applications and analysis techniques that can be used when facing the unique challenge of working in the tropics. It presents real-world examples and a suite of analysis techniques for using hyperspectral remote sensing in complex and diverse regions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leaf morphology along environmental ­gradients in Hawaiian Metrosideros polymorpha, Biotropica, 26, 17, 1994. 39. Slaton, M.R., Hunt, E.R., Jr., and Smith, W.K., Estimating near-infrared leaf reflectance from leaf structural characteristics, American Journal of Botany, 88, 278, 2001. 40. Gentry, H.A., A field guide to the families and genera of woody plants of Northwest South America, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru. Conservation International, Arlington, VA, 1993. 41. Mabberly, D.J., The plant

Ph.D., conducts research related to the study of impacts of land use/cover change (LUCC) on biodiversity loss and habitat fragmentation in tropical dry forest environments. His research involves the study of ­theoretical linkages between remote sensing (multispectral and hyperspectral) and the spatial/temporal dynamics of leaf area index (LAI), primary productivity (PP), 53418_C000.indd 23 1/14/08 10:41:26 AM xxiv Contributors and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). In addition, his

species, research on tree identification in more species-rich tropical forests is extremely limited. The complexity of this task is obvious considering that tree species numbers in tropical ­forests can exceed 300 per hectare [35]. Coupled with high species diversity is an overall lack of airborne hyperspectral imagery over tropical forests to date, which is evident in the fact that the two most recent papers published on this topic use the same data set. Although not yet achieved, automated

Savannas............................................................................... 75 3.6 Summary and Conclusions............................................................................ 78 Acknowledgments..................................................................................................... 78 References................................................................................................................. 78 47 53418_C003.indd 47 1/14/08 10:42:07 AM 48

studies have considered effects of dioecy on plant ecophysiological functioning [1,2], even though a large proportion of species in the tropics are dioecious [1]. Since dioecious plants present separate male and female individuals, maintaining a proper ratio of gender ensures species survival, an important consideration in natural forest management, reforestation, and conservation projects. Nevertheless, it is a characteristic that has often been overlooked. Potentially, remote sensing may

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