Combining remote sensing, data from earlier inventories, and geostatistical interpolation in multisource forest inventory

Multisource forest inventory with two-phase sampling offers several advantages in the forest management planning when compared with the traditional visual inventory by stands. For example, by combining data from remote sensing imagery with field measurements, it is possible to estimate the forest characteristics of large areas at a more reasonable cost than by using the traditional visual inventory by stands. In this study, the k-nearest-neighbours estimation (k-nn), stand inventory data, and geostatistical interpolation were combined for estimation of five forest variables (mean diameter, mean height, mean age, basal area, and volume) per sample plot and stand. Digitized aerial photograph features, visually interpreted aerial photograph features, and updated stand inventory data were used as the auxiliary data sources in the estimation of forest variables. The results show that, at the sample plot level, the k-nn estimates based on the auxiliary data sources were more accurate than the updated stand inve...

[1]  E. Tomppo.  Multi-source national forest inventory of Finland. , 1994 .

[2]  M. Nilsson.  Estimation of forest variables using satellite image data and airborne Lidar , 1997 .

[3]  J. MacQueen.  Some methods for classification and analysis of multivariate observations , 1967 .

[4]  S. Tuominen,et al.  Improving multi-source forest inventory by weighting auxiliary data sources , 2001 .

[5]  Guangxing Wang,et al.  The calibration of digitized aerial photographs for forest stratification , 1998 .

[6]  M. Bauer,et al.  Estimation and mapping of forest stand density, volume, and cover type using the k-nearest neighbors method , 2001 .

[7]  P. Burrough,et al.  Principles of geographical information systems , 1998 .

[8]  G. Matheron.  Principles of geostatistics , 1963 .

[9]  Markku Similä,et al.  Forest inventory by compartments using satellite imagery. , 1987 .

[10]  Peter Holmgren,et al.  Applying objectively estimated and spatially continuous forest parameters in tactical planning to obtain dynamic treatment units , 1997 .

[11]  Juho Pitkänen,et al.  Point accuracy of a non-parametric method in estimation of forest characteristics with different satellite materials , 1996 .

[12]  Sören Holm,et al.  On the potential of Kriging for forest management planning , 1998 .

[13]  Sakari Tuominen,et al.  Weighting alternative estimates when using multi-source auxiliary data for forest inventory , 1999 .

[14]  Eero Mattila,et al.  The combined use of systematic field and photo samples in a large-scale forest inventory in North Finland. , 1985 .

[15]  Jouko Laasasenaho.  Taper curve and volume functions for pine, spruce and birch [Pinus sylvestris, Picea abies, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens] , 1982 .

[16]  Franco Biondi,et al.  Geostatistically modeling stem size and increment in an old-growth forest , 1994 .