Mapping of forest species and tree density using new Earth observation sensors for wildfire applications

Iphigenia Keramitsoglou; Charalambos Kontoes; Konstantinos Koutroumbas; Olga Sykioti; Nicolaos Sifakis

doi:10.1117/12.626600

18 October 2005 Mapping of forest species and tree density using new Earth observation sensors for wildfire applications

Iphigenia Keramitsoglou, Charalambos Kontoes, Konstantinos Koutroumbas, Olga Sykioti, Nicolaos Sifakis

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 5976, Remote Sensing for Agriculture, Ecosystems, and Hydrology VII; 59760G (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.626600
Event: SPIE Remote Sensing, 2005, Bruges, Belgium

Abstract

The success of any decision support system for managing wildfires lies on its ability to simulate fire evolution. Therefore, accurate information on the natural fuel material in any area of interest is necessary. The present study aims to provide methodological tools to explore in depth the potential of new Earth Observation data for horizontal mapping of vegetated areas. Two approaches are mainly described. The first one deals with the classification of ASTER visible, near- and short-wave infrared images in a detailed nomenclature including both different species and tree densities. This is important for wildfire studies since the same vegetation classes may represent completely different risk ignition levels depending on their morphological characteristics (i.e., trees height and density). The improvement of class separability using hyperspectral images acquired by Hyperion is also investigated. The second approach refers to a pattern recognition software tool for single tree counting using a very high spatial resolution image acquired by IKONOS-2 satellite. According to this approach, the regions dense in plants are identified by applying a suitable thresholding on the image. The resulted regions are further processed in order to estimate the number and location of single trees based on a pre-specified crown size per stratified zone. The outcome of the latter approach may provide direct evidence of tree density relating to ground biomass. Finally, the two approaches are used in a complementary manner to explore the possibilities offered by new sensor technology to override past limitations in species and fuel classification due to inadequate spectral/spatial resolution. The pilot application area is Mount. Pendeli and the east side of Mount. Parnitha, in the prefecture of Attiki, Greece.

Citation Download Citation

Iphigenia Keramitsoglou, Charalambos Kontoes, Konstantinos Koutroumbas, Olga Sykioti, and Nicolaos Sifakis "Mapping of forest species and tree density using new Earth observation sensors for wildfire applications", Proc. SPIE 5976, Remote Sensing for Agriculture, Ecosystems, and Hydrology VII, 59760G (18 October 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.626600

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available