书评

《基于“3Ｓ”的森林资源定量估测—原理、方法、应用及软件实现》一书是由中国林业科学研究院资源信息研究所赵宪文研究员及其学生所著 ,该书已于 2 0 0 1年 5月底由中国科学技术出版社出版。全书共分 10章 ,第 1章绪论对森林资源估测进行了回顾 ,分析了“3Ｓ”技术用于森林资源估测的可能性、必然性及将来带来的产业变革。第 2章提出了用“3Ｓ”技术进行森林总蓄积及郁闭度估测的基本思想、方法及存在的问题。第 3章针对第 2章提出的问题 ,采用岭估计及稳健估计进行郁闭度及蓄积估测。第 4章系统分析了遥感图像几何精校正对蓄积估测的影响…     

以遥感和地理信息系统为基础的森林蓄积LS估计自变量选择研究

根据最小二乘（LS）原理，借助遥感和地理信息系统，研究森林蓄积定量估测量优自变量的选择方法。通过实例分析了LS估计确定森林蓄积自变量的选择规律，并探讨了LS估计预报森林蓄积的潜力，对实际工作具有一定的指导意义。     

聚类分析在监测区域样地分类中的应用研究

为建立监测区域以遥感和GIS为基础的森林郁闭度及蓄积定量估测方程，需在监测区域抽取一定数量有代表性的样地。如何有效抽取有代表性的样地属多目标优化问题。若根据监测区域已知样地的数量，采用所有可能的组合方法，按一定优化标准进行抽样，计算工作量将非常庞大，实际工作中很难进行。为此需先对监测区域的样地进行分类，在分类的基础上选择一定数量有代表性的样地。因度量样地之间亲疏程度的统计量及类和类之间相似性测度指标有多种，因此对同一监测区域，不同的统计量及类和类之间相似性测度指标，将得到不同的分类结果。设置不同的影响郁闭度及蓄积估测的遥感和GIS因子，分类结果也会出现较大的差异。本文针对特定监测区域，采用计算机仿真方法，系统研究了不同影响因子对分类的影响规律，实际工作中应如何选择度量样地间亲疏程度的统计量及类和类之间相似性测度指标，所得结果可用于指导生产实践。     

PolInSAR森林高度反演中方法及波段选择引起的不确定性分析

森林高度是反映森林资源数量和质量的重要参数,极化干涉合成孔径雷达PolInSAR （Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry）技术在森林高度反演中极具潜力。由于森林散射特征受波长影响明显,由此引起的散射机理差异使得基于PolInSAR技术反演的森林高度结果具有很大的不确定性。为了定量化该不确定性的影响,本文以模拟森林场景为例,对PolInSAR技术森林高度反演中常用的4种方法——极化相位中心高度估测法、复相干相位中心差分法、复相干幅度反演法以及相干幅度、相位联合反演法,以及它们在常用的4个微波波段P、L、C和X中的森林高度估测结果进行了分析;明确了匀质森林场景中,算法、波段选择引起的森林高度估测结果的不确定性。研究结果表明：在森林场景基本一致的情况下,估测算法的选择直接影响森林高度估测结果,其中复相干幅度反演法在4个波段的估测结果中精度均最高,但各估测点的估测结果离散度及不确定度较大。波长对4类估测方法估测结果的影响差异明显：复相干幅度反演法的反演结果几乎不受波长的影响,而相干幅度、相位联合反演法受波长影响明显,在P和L波段反演结果中精度较高,在C和X波段反演结果中精度降低明显。此外,以传统的交叉极化（HV）相位代表冠层散射相位中心,水平同极化与垂直同极化的相位差（HH-VV）代表地表散射相位中心,采用复相干相位中心差分法进行森林高度估测会出现严重低估现象。估测结果不确定度具有波长和算法选择依赖性,在C和X波段采用复相干相位中心差分法估测结果不确定度最低,在P和L波段采用极化相位中心高度估测法估测结果不确定度最低,而复相干幅度反演法估测结果则在多个波段中的不确定度均最高。     

基于ICESatGLAS的云南省森林地上生物量反演

结合机载、星载激光雷达对GLAS(地球科学激光测高系统)光斑范围内的森林地上生物量进行估测,并利用MODIS植被产品以及MERIS土地覆盖产品进行了云南省森林地上生物量的连续制图。机载LiDAR扫描的260个训练样本用于构建星载GLAS的森林地上生物量估测模型,模型的决定系数(R2)为0.52,均方根误差(RMSE)为31Mg/ha。研究结果显示,云南省总森林地上生物量为12.72亿t,平均森林地上生物量为94Mg/ha。估测的森林地上生物量空间分布情况与实际情况相符,森林地上生物量总量与基于森林资源清查数据的估测结果相符,表明了利用机载LiDAR与星载ICESatGLAS结合进行大区域森林地上生物量估测的可靠性。     

LiDAR不同强度校正法对樟子松叶面积指数估测的影响

机载激光雷达（LiDAR）强度数据在获取过程中受多种因素影响,各因素影响的有效量化及校正对机载LiDAR强度校正及应用具有重要意义。本文以雷达方程为基础,分别采用距离、入射角及距离和入射角对LiDAR点云强度进行校正,从中提取冠层总强度和强度比值两类参数,用于估测森林叶面积指数（LAI）,以期量化各影响因素强度校正对不同类型参数估测森林LAI的影响。结果表明：强度经距离校正能够提高森林LAI的估测精度,而强度经数字高程模型衍生入射角校正非但没能提高估测精度,反而降低了估测精度。强度经距离和入射角综合校正虽能提高森林LAI的估测精度,但结果却低于距离单独校正的结果。与此同时,对冠层总强度参数而言,强度校正前后森林LAI估测结果的差异较为明显,而对强度比值参数而言,强度校正前后森林LAI估测结果差异不大。综上可知,不同因素强度校正对森林LAI估测的影响不同,且影响程度与所用参数变量类型密切相关。因此,在未来强度应用研究中,应根据变量参数类型选择合适的校正方式,以避免不恰当校正造成的成本浪费及精度降低。     

多源遥感数据支持下的区域性森林冠层高度估测

结合机载LiDAR数据,提出了一种改进的GLAS光斑点冠层高度地形校正模型,以校正后的GLAS光斑点作为输入样本,结合MODIS遥感影像,利用支持向量回归（SVR）的方法对研究区森林冠层高度进行分生态区估测,并利用野外调查数据和机载LiDAR冠层高度结果对估测结果进行验证。结果显示:研究区的坡度等级直接影响GLAS光斑点森林冠层高度估测精度,改进的地形校正模型可以较好的减小坡度对GLAS光斑点森林冠层高度估测的影响,模型精度RMSE稳定在3.25~3.48 m;不同生态分区的SVR模型估测精度较为稳定,其RMSE=6.41~7.56 m;与算数平均高相比,样地的Lorey's高与制图结果拟合最好,不同生态分区平均估测精度为80.3%。机载LiDAR冠层高度结果的验证平均精度为79.5%,和Lorey's高验证结果呈现较好的一致性。     

土壤有机质含量地面高光谱估测模型对比分析

采用高光谱技术获得的数据进行土壤有机质含量的反演和估测是近年来的研究热点。为确定有效的估测建模方法,利用地面实测的土壤高光谱反射率及有机质含量等数据,采用小波分析方法实现去噪,包络线去除法实现建模参数提取和数据量压缩,结合多种不同的数据变换方法,利用BP神经网络法、多元线性回归法及最小二乘回归法建立不同的估测模型。对比发现,BP神经网络模型的估测效果优于回归模型,其中结合对数的平方变换和神经网络所建立的模型为最优估测模型,模型的决定系数达到0. 933,检验样本的均方根误差达到0. 069。实验证明,BP神经网络+对数的平方变换模型的学习机制适用于土壤有机质含量地面高光谱估测且效果好。通过在建模因子层面上进行数据变换建立了较好的估测模型,其研究方法、模型和结论,对土壤有机质含量地面高光谱估测具有一定的参考意义。     

基于SAR数据的森林生物量估测研究进展

森林生物量是地表碳循环研究的重要组成部分,对其进行准确估测对区域乃至全球的森林状况和气候环境问题有重要意义.合成孔径雷达(SAR)以其独特的成像机制、全天候全天时的成像特点以及对森林冠层的穿透能力,在森林资源调查和森林制图研究领域发挥着巨大的作用.该文首先总结了林业上传统的森林生物量估测方法和基于光学遥感和激光雷达(LiDAR)数据的森林生物量估测方法;然后重点阐述了利用SAR后向散射(不同极化方式)、干涉相干性及极化干涉等信息进行森林生物量反演的方法;最后总结了利用SAR数据进行森林生物量估测的发展趋势.     

基于无人机LiDAR和高空间分辨率卫星遥感数据的区域森林郁闭度估测模型

森林郁闭度是森林资源调查中的一个重要因子,对森林质量评价具有重要作用。随着人工智能技术和遥感技术的不断发展,研究如何利用深度学习有效协同不同空间覆盖能力的遥感数据实现区域森林郁闭度的估测具有重要意义。由此提出了一种协同应用高密度无人机激光雷达和高空间分辨率卫星遥感数据,对区域森林郁闭度进行定量估测的深度学习模型（UnetR）。对用于图像分类的Unet模型的损失函数进行改进,并在卷积层后加入批量归一化层,使其具有对连续变量进行定量估测的能力。与全卷积神经网络、随机森林和支持向量机回归模型进行对比实验。结果表明, UnetR模型的均方根误差较低,估测精度较高,为实现区域森林郁闭度遥感监测提供了一种人力成本低、自动化程度高的估测方法。     

Wall-to-wall spatial prediction of growing stock volume based on Italian National Forest Inventory plots and remotely sensed data

Spatial predictions of forest variables are required for supporting modern national and sub-national forest planning strategies, especially in the framework of a climate change scenario. Nowadays methods for constructing wall-to-wall maps and calculating small-area estimates of forest parameters are becoming essential components of most advanced National Forest Inventory (NFI) programs. Such methods are based on the assumption of a relationship between the forest variables and predictor variables that are available for the entire forest area. Many commonly used predictors are based on data obtained from active or passive remote sensing technologies. Italy has almost 40% of its land area covered by forests. Because of the great diversity of Italian forests with respect to composition, structure and management and underlying climatic, morphological and soil conditions, a relevant question is whether methods successfully used in less complex temperate and boreal forests may be applied successfully at country level in Italy.For a study area of more than 48,657 km² in central Italy of which 43% is covered by forest, the study presents the results of a test regarding wall-to-wall, spatially explicit estimation of forest growing stock volume (GSV) based on field measurement of 1350 plots during the last Italian NFI. For the same area, we used potential predictor variables that are available across the whole of Italy: cloud-free mosaics of multispectral optical satellite imagery (Landsat 5 TM), microwave sensor data (JAXA PALSAR), a canopy height model (CHM) from satellite LiDAR, and auxiliary variables from climate, temperature and precipitation maps, soil maps, and a digital terrain model.Two non-parametric (random forests and k-NN) and two parametric (multiple linear regression and geographically weighted regression) prediction methods were tested to produce wall-to-wall map of growing stock volume at 23-m resolution. Pixel level predictions were used to produce small-area, province-level model-assisted estimates. The performances of all the methods were compared in terms of percent root mean-square error using a leave-one-out procedure and an independent dataset was used for validation. Results were comparable to those available for other ecological regions using similar predictors, but random forests produced the most accurate results with a pixel level R² = 0.69 and RMSE_% = 37.2% against the independent validation dataset. Model-assisted estimates were more precise than the original design-based estimates provided by the NFI.     

Biomass expansion factor and root-to-shoot ratio for Pinus in Brazil

The Biomass Expansion Factor (BEF) and the Root-to-Shoot Ratio (R) are variables used to quantify carbon stock in forests. They are often considered as constant or species/area specific values in most studies. This study aimed at showing tree size and age dependence upon BEF and R and proposed equations to improve forest biomass and carbon stock. Data from 70 sample Pinus spp. grown in southern Brazil trees in different diameter classes and ages were used to demonstrate the correlation between BEF and R, and forest inventory data, such as DBH, tree height and age. Total dry biomass, carbon stock and CO₂ equivalent were simulated using the IPCC default values of BEF and R, corresponding average calculated from data used in this study, as well as the values estimated by regression equations. The mean values of BEF and R calculated in this study were 1.47 and 0.17, respectively. The relationship between BEF and R and the tree measurement variables were inversely related with negative exponential behavior. Simulations indicated that use of fixed values of BEF and R, either IPCC default or current average data, may lead to unreliable estimates of carbon stock inventories and CDM projects. It was concluded that accounting for the variations in BEF and R and using regression equations to relate them to DBH, tree height and age, is fundamental in obtaining reliable estimates of forest tree biomass, carbon sink and CO₂ equivalent.     

Characterisation of ecological parameters in tropical forest community—A remote sensing approach

Satellite Remote Sensing data has been used for vegetation mapping, initial stratification, distribution of sample plots and for calculating the area under different vegetation types. Primary and secondary analyses of vegetation has been done using phytosociological ground data collected from sample piots to assess the ecological importance of different species. Interrelationships among different communities have been evaluated through various available indices. The spatial distribution and vegetation analysis indicate that commercial extraction of natural forests of Andaman has set in retrogression. The evergreen forests subjected to shorter rotation of commercial exploitation are being invaded with seral deciduous species. The study highlights the status of forests (spatial and community) and stresses the need to conserve germplasm present in the natural evergreen forests.     

Forest cover mapping of East district,Sikkim using IRS-1A LISS II satellite data

Remote sensing techniques have been applied to classify tour density classes within each of the forest type along with other major landuse/landcover classes in the East district, Sikkim using IRS-1A LISS II satellite data pertaining to the period of November, 1988. The shadow problem in rugged terrain and difficulty in acquiring cloud free data for different seasons pose problems to achieve considerable mapping accuracy. In the present study, the forests of the district were delineated through supervised classification techniques using maximum likelihood algorithm into five forest types as sal forests, subtropical broad-leaved forests, Himalayan wet temperate forests, Rhododendron forests and alpine forests. The alpine forests were further stratified into two categories as moist alpine scrub and dry alpine scrub. The statistical data obtained from the present study shows that 55.47 percent of the total geographical area of the East district was under forest cover. An overall accuracy of more than 85 percent in correctly delineating forest classes was achieved.     

A satellite data driven approach to monitoring and reporting fire disturbance and recovery across boreal and temperate forests

The regular and consistent measurements provided by Earth observation satellites can support the monitoring and reporting of forest indicators. Although substantial scientific literature espouses the capabilities of satellites in this area, the techniques are under-utilised in national reporting, where there is a preference for aggregating ad hoc data. In this paper, we posit that satellite information, while perhaps of low accuracy at single time steps or across small areas, can produce trends and patterns which are, in fact, more meaningful at regional and national scales. This is primarily due to data consistency over time and space. To investigate this, we use MODIS and Landsat data to explore trends associated with fire disturbance and recovery across boreal and temperate forests worldwide. Our results found that 181 million ha (9 %) of the study area (2 billion ha of forests) was burned between 2001 and 2018, as detected by MODIS satellites. World Wildlife Fund biomes were used for a detailed analysis across several countries. A significant increasing trend in area burned was observed in Mediterranean forests in Chile (8.9 % yr⁻¹), while a significant decreasing trend was found in temperate mixed forests in China (-2.2 % yr⁻¹). To explore trends and patterns in fire severity and forest recovery, we used Google Earth Engine to efficiently sample thousands of Landsat images from 1991 onwards. Fire severity, as measured by the change in the normalized burn ratio (NBR), was found to be generally stable over time; however, a slight increasing trend was observed in the Russian taiga. Our analysis of spectral recovery following wildfire indicated that it was largely dependent on location, with some biomes (particularly in the USA) showing signs that spectral recovery rates have shortened over time. This study demonstrates how satellite data and cloud-computing can be harnessed to establish baselines and reveal trends and patterns, and improve monitoring and reporting of forest indicators at national and global scales.     

Discrimination of mangrove forests and characterization of adjoining land cover classes using temporal C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar data: A case study of Sundarbans

C-band dual polarization (HH, HV) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data from Radarsat-2 were used to discriminate and characterize mangrove forests of the Sundarbans. Multi-temporal data acquired during winter and rainy seasons were analysed for the segregation of mangrove forest area. A decision rule based classification involving combination of three-date HH (range −11 to −2 dB) with single-date cross-polarization ratio (2–8) was applied on the datasets for discriminating mangrove forests from other land cover classes. Application of textural measures (entropy and angular second moment) in the aforesaid decision rule based classification produced three broad homogeneous mangrove classes. The area covered by the most homogeneous class increased from January to March and decreased from July to September, and correlated well to the change in the phenological status of the mangroves. Extent of homogeneous areas was more in the eastern region of the Sundarbans than that of the central and western side. Thus, the study revealed that textural measures combined with multi-temporal HH backscatter and single-date cross-polarization ratio in a decision rule classification could be satisfactorily used for characterization of the mangrove forests.     

Integration of WorldView-2 and airborne LiDAR data for tree species level carbon stock mapping in Kayar Khola watershed,Nepal

Integration of WorldView-2 satellite image with small footprint airborne LiDAR data for estimation of tree carbon at species level has been investigated in tropical forests of Nepal. This research aims to quantify and map carbon stock for dominant tree species in Chitwan district of central Nepal. Object based image analysis and supervised nearest neighbor classification methods were deployed for tree canopy retrieval and species level classification respectively. Initially, six dominant tree species (Shorea robusta, Schima wallichii, Lagerstroemia parviflora, Terminalia tomentosa, Mallotus philippinensis and Semecarpus anacardium) were able to be identified and mapped through image classification. The result showed a 76% accuracy of segmentation and 1970.99 as best average separability. Tree canopy height model (CHM) was extracted based on LiDAR’s first and last return from an entire study area. On average, a significant correlation coefficient (r) between canopy projection area (CPA) and carbon; height and carbon; and CPA and height were obtained as 0.73, 0.76 and 0.63, respectively for correctly detected trees. Carbon stock model validation results showed regression models being able to explain up to 94%, 78%, 76%, 84% and 78% of variations in carbon estimation for the following tree species: S. robusta, L. parviflora, T. tomentosa, S. wallichii and others (combination of rest tree species).     

Vegetation cover type mapping in mouling national park in Arunachal Pradesh, Eastern Himalayas- an integrated geospatial approach

Improving image classification and its techniques have been of interest while handling satellite data especially in hilly regions with evergreen forests particularly with indistinct ecotones. In the present study an attempt has been made to classify evergreen forests/vegetation in Moulirig National Park of Arunachal Pradesh in Eastern Himalayas using conventional unsupervised classification algorithms in conjunction with DEM. The study area represents climax vegetation and can be broadly classified into tropical, subtropical, temperate and sub-alpine forests. Vegetation pattern in the study area is influenced strongly by altitude, slope, aspect and other climatic factors. The forests are mature, undisturbed and intermixed with close canopy. Rugged terrain and elevation also affect the reflectance. Because of these discrimination among the various forest/vegetation types is restrained on satellite data. Therefore, satellite data in optical region have limitations in pattern recognition due to similarity in spectral response caused by several factors. Since vegetation is controlled by elevation among other factors, digital elevation model (DEM) was integrated with the LISS III multiband data. The overall accuracy improved from 40.81 to 83.67%. Maximum-forested area (252.80 km2) in national park is covered by sub-tropical evergreen forest followed by temperate broad-leaved forest (147.09 km²). This is probably first attempt where detailed survey of remote and inhospitable areas of Semang sub-watershed, in and around western part of Mouling Peak and adjacent areas above Bomdo-Egum and Ramsingh from eastern and southern side have been accessed for detailed ground truth collection for vegetation mapping (on 1:50,000 scale) and characterization. The occurrence of temperate conifer forests and Rhododendron Scrub in this region is reported here for the first time. The approach of DEM integrated with satellite data can be useful for vegetation and land cover mapping in rugged terrains like in Himalayas.     

Assessing the Priorities for Sustainable Forest Management in the Sikkim Himalaya,India: A Remote Sensing Based Approach

Sikkim is a small, mountainous, Indian state (7,096 km²) located in the eastern Himalayan region. Though a global biodiversity hotspot, it has been relatively less studied. A detailed forest type, density and change dynamics study was undertaken, using SATELLITE remote sensing data and intensive field verification. The landscape was found to be dominated by alpine and nival ecosystems, with a large portion above the tree line, considerable snow cover, and a sizeable area under forest cover (72%, 5,094 km²). A total of 18 landscape components including 14 vegetation classes were delineated, with the major ones being oak forest, alpine meadow, alpine scrub, conifer forest and alder-cardamom agro-forestry. Of the 3,154 km² of forests below the tree line, 40% were found to be dense (>40% tree canopy cover). A sizeable portion of the non dense forests below the tree line was contributed by the degradation of oak forests, which was confirmed by change detection analysis. However on a positive front over the past decade, ban on grazing and felling of trees in forests has been implemented. In order to expand the extent of dense forests, further efforts are needed for the restoration of oak forests such as fire protection, providing alternatives to firewood use, promotion of alder-cardamom agro-forestry in the private lands and protection of the small-sized, fragmented forest patches in the subtropical belt.     

GLAS星载激光雷达和Landsat/ETM+数据的森林生物量估算

基于大脚印激光雷达数据和野外观测数据,该文提出一种获取脚印点内森林生物量的新思路,并结合陆地卫星数据应用于长白山地区森林地上生物量估算。首先,基于3种森林类型(针叶林、阔叶林和针阔混交林),采用多元逐步回归方法建立激光雷达波形指数与脚印点内实测平均树高的回归模型,估算全部脚印点内的平均树高;然后根据脚印点内样方的野外观测数据(平均树高和平均胸径)以及它们与样方生物量的拟合方程估算没有野外调查数据对应的脚印点的生物量;最后对3种森林类型的脚印点森林生物量在各森林覆盖度条件下进行分层分区统计得到生物量等级图。验证比较遥感估算的生物量与野外调查数据推算的生物量,总体误差在0~30(t·hm~(-2))之间,均方根误差为14.66(t·hm~(-2))。