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At least 73 records · Page 4

Inventory of forest and rangeland and detection of forest stress

There are no author-identified significant results in this report. Some ERTS-1 imagery has been received for each of the test sites: Black Hills, Atlanta, and Manitou. Only small portions of each site are covered and clouds have precluded capturing good imagery over the center of each site. Discoloration infestations of ponderosa pine are being located and sized on CIR transparencies. A computer program was completed from microdensitometer scans of CIR photos which maps areas of an image which are spectrally similar. Decided differences between forest types are present as well as differences between forest and other vegetative and nonvegetative land classes.

Heller, R. C.↗

Inventory of forest and rangeland and detection of forest stress

The author has identified the following significant results. Three small scales of CIR photography were interpreted to determine the number of bark beetle-killed trees detected in each of six spot size categories. A procedure was developed to predict the probability of detecting spots in each spot size category and in turn to estimate the number of infestations and dead trees even on the smallest scale. Statistical tests of the data indicated that the linear model did not fit the data and that other models should be tested. As a result of daily monitoring of Black Hills radiometric instruments it was possible to show the spectral energy relationships in the ponderosa pine ecosystems over time. These data have been helpful for comparison with radiance signatures extracted from ERTS-1 bulk 70mm using precision microdensitometry. Effects of atmospheric interference were shown by a 30 percent increase in scene radiance on channel 4 of the satellite imagery. A calibration and scaling technique was developed and tested to enable interpretation of ERTS-1 bulk and precision data for the Atlanta test site. The technique includes calibration of a photographic copy system for the I2S image combiner and the production of scaled overlays of grid coordinate systems, study area locations, and outline maps of county boundaries.

Heller, R. C.↗

Investigation to develop a multistage forest sampling inventory system using ERTS-1 imagery

The author has identified the following significant results. Two strips of U-2 RC-10 images were analytically triangulated and adjusted. Control points and pass points were marked on glass plates made from B&W copy negatives of IR color transparencies. A wild PUG-3 and TA1/p monocomparator were used to mark and measure the points on the glass plates. Each plate was measured twice in the same orientation for a check on accuracy and operator error. The 22 photographs were adjusted to 41 ground control and tie points and the block adjustment was performed in a secant plane coordinate system to eliminate the effect of earth curvature. Standard deviations of the residuals of the control and tie points were 12.8 m, 10.8 m, and 4.5 m for the X, Y, and Z coordinates respectively. The 12.8 m and 10.8 m figures correspond to an identification accuracy of 0.1 mm on the U-2 RC-10 plates. The standard deviations of the residuals encountered in the ERTS-1 resectioning were: (1) 0.16 mm assuming uncorrected perspective geometry and (2) 0.12 mm when the polynomial adjustment was added in. These results indicate a reduction of 0.11 in the square error due to the polynomial adjustment.

Langley, P. G.↗

ERTS data user investigation to develop a multistage forest sampling inventory system

The author has identified the following significant results. A unique digital timber volume estimation system was developed for use with the MSS CCT tapes. The system was tested on a 64-square mile area in Northern California's Trinity Alps. The outcome of a systematic experiment, in which several possible combinations of bands 5 and 7 and a contrast measure were tried, showed that an estimated gain in precision of 50% can be obtained in a multistage sampling design. The difference between bands 5 and 7 proved to be of special importance for the estimation of biomass in the form of timber volume. In addition, an interpretation model for high flight U2 photographs was developed. A maximum multiple correlation coefficient of 0.74 was obtained for the regression model, explaining 55% of the variation in timber volume as estimated from aerial photos and ground measurments. An interpretation model for MSS color composites is in the testing stage.

Langley, P. G.↗

Inventory of forest and rangeland and detection of forest stress

The author has identified the following significant results. Eucalyptus tree stands killed by low temperatures in December 1972 were outlined by image enhancement of two separate dates of ERTS-1 images (January 22, 1973-I.D. 1183-18175 and April 22, 1973-I.D. 1273-18183). Three stands larger than 500 meters in size were detected very accurately. In Colorado, range and grassland communities were analyzed by visual interpretation of color composite scene I.D. 1028-17135. It was found that mixtures of plant litter, amount and kind of bare soil, and plant foliage cover made classification of grasslands very difficult. Changes in forest land use were detected on areas as small as 5 acres when ERTS-1 color composite scene 1264-15445 (April 13, 1973) was compared with 1966 ASCS index mosaics (scale 1:60,000). Verification of the changes were made from RB-57 underflight CIR transparencies (scale 1:120,000).

Heller, R. C.↗