Forest Biophysical and Biochemical Properties from Hyperspectral and LiDAR Remote Sensing
Gregory P. Asner, Susan L. Ustin, Philip A. Townsend, Roberta E. Martin
Abstract
Over the past several decades, two technologies—hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and light detection and ranging (LiDAR)—have rapidly advanced from their use in testbed-type research to operational applications ranging from ecology to land management. HSI, also known as imaging spectroscopy, involves the measurement of reflected solar radiance in narrow, contiguous spectral bands that form a spectrum for each image pixel. LiDAR uses emitted laser pulses, emitted in a scanning pattern to determine the distance between objects such as canopy foliage and ground surfaces. Individually, HSI and LiDAR are advancing the study of forests at landscape to global scales, uncovering new spatial and temporal patterns of forest biophysical and biochemical properties, as well as deeper understanding of physiological processes. When combined, HSI and LiDAR provide ecological detail at spatial scales unachievable in the field. This chapter discusses HSI and LiDAR data sources, techniques, applications, and challenges in the context of forest ecological research.