Using hyperspectral data to assess forest structure.

More accurate maps offorest composition w ll result from the new hyperspectral instruments, which read the abundance and istribution of woody biomass nd standing litter by picking upslight variations i pigment, water content, and soil properties. Such information allows direct inferences about physical processes rather than requiring managers tomake statistical associations. Although more difficult to analyze and interpret than multispectral images, these data will raise the level of accuracy for making forest management d cisions.