Estimating regional forest cover in East Texas using Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) data

Ramesh Sivanpillai; Charles T. Smith; R. Srinivasan; Michael G. Messina; X. Ben Wu

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2005.08.033

Estimating regional forest cover in East Texas using Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) data

Ramesh Sivanpillai
, Charles T. Smith
, R. Srinivasan
, Michael G. Messina
, X. Ben Wu

Ecosystem Science and Management

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

The USDA Forest Service, through its Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program, periodically estimates forest/non-forest area at the county level using aerial photographs. Satellite-based remotely sensed data and digital image processing techniques could substantially reduce the time required to generate this information. Satellites collect data on a repeat basis and with higher frequency than the aerial photos that are currently used for this purpose. In addition to the forest cover estimates, the USDA could use satellite data to generate maps depicting the spatial distribution of forest cover. However, few studies have tested the utility of medium-resolution satellite data for FIA purposes. We tested the potential for using LANDSAT satellite data to obtain forest cover estimates for a six-county region in East Texas. Satellite data were processed using a combination of image classification techniques that could be repeated in other regions of the USA. Results were compared with the results of traditional photo-based estimation techniques and were comparable within a 95% confidence interval. Based on this study we recommend that medium-resolution satellite data can be used for obtaining county-level forest cover estimates.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	342-352
Number of pages	11
Journal	Forest Ecology and Management
Volume	218
Issue number	1-3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2005.08.033
State	Published - Oct 24 2005

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Forestry
Nature and Landscape Conservation
Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

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10.1016/j.foreco.2005.08.033

Cite this

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title = "Estimating regional forest cover in East Texas using Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) data",

abstract = "The USDA Forest Service, through its Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program, periodically estimates forest/non-forest area at the county level using aerial photographs. Satellite-based remotely sensed data and digital image processing techniques could substantially reduce the time required to generate this information. Satellites collect data on a repeat basis and with higher frequency than the aerial photos that are currently used for this purpose. In addition to the forest cover estimates, the USDA could use satellite data to generate maps depicting the spatial distribution of forest cover. However, few studies have tested the utility of medium-resolution satellite data for FIA purposes. We tested the potential for using LANDSAT satellite data to obtain forest cover estimates for a six-county region in East Texas. Satellite data were processed using a combination of image classification techniques that could be repeated in other regions of the USA. Results were compared with the results of traditional photo-based estimation techniques and were comparable within a 95\% confidence interval. Based on this study we recommend that medium-resolution satellite data can be used for obtaining county-level forest cover estimates.",

author = "Ramesh Sivanpillai and Smith, \{Charles T.\} and R. Srinivasan and Messina, \{Michael G.\} and Wu, \{X. Ben\}",

note = "Funding Information: This study was conducted as part of the first author's doctoral dissertation research and was financially supported by the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and the Heep Foundation. Support provided by the Texas Forest Service personnel, Mr. Thomas Spencer and Mr. Curt Stripling in particular, for conducting field work and aerial photo-interpretation are gratefully acknowledged. The authors thank Texas view for providing LANDSAT images used in this study. Contributions of Dr. William Cooke III, USDA-FS, Mississippi towards this work is gratefully acknowledged. The authors also thank Dr. Kenneth L. Driese and anonymous reviewers for their reviews and suggestions that significantly improved the clarity of this article. Copyright: Copyright 2008 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.",

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AU - Messina, Michael G.

AU - Wu, X. Ben

N1 - Funding Information: This study was conducted as part of the first author's doctoral dissertation research and was financially supported by the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and the Heep Foundation. Support provided by the Texas Forest Service personnel, Mr. Thomas Spencer and Mr. Curt Stripling in particular, for conducting field work and aerial photo-interpretation are gratefully acknowledged. The authors thank Texas view for providing LANDSAT images used in this study. Contributions of Dr. William Cooke III, USDA-FS, Mississippi towards this work is gratefully acknowledged. The authors also thank Dr. Kenneth L. Driese and anonymous reviewers for their reviews and suggestions that significantly improved the clarity of this article. Copyright: Copyright 2008 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

PY - 2005/10/24

Y1 - 2005/10/24

N2 - The USDA Forest Service, through its Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program, periodically estimates forest/non-forest area at the county level using aerial photographs. Satellite-based remotely sensed data and digital image processing techniques could substantially reduce the time required to generate this information. Satellites collect data on a repeat basis and with higher frequency than the aerial photos that are currently used for this purpose. In addition to the forest cover estimates, the USDA could use satellite data to generate maps depicting the spatial distribution of forest cover. However, few studies have tested the utility of medium-resolution satellite data for FIA purposes. We tested the potential for using LANDSAT satellite data to obtain forest cover estimates for a six-county region in East Texas. Satellite data were processed using a combination of image classification techniques that could be repeated in other regions of the USA. Results were compared with the results of traditional photo-based estimation techniques and were comparable within a 95% confidence interval. Based on this study we recommend that medium-resolution satellite data can be used for obtaining county-level forest cover estimates.

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Estimating regional forest cover in East Texas using Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) data

Abstract

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