ARSF project GB04/06: Spectral and spatial analysis of woodland structure in plantation forestry in upland Britain using models that combine field and Earth observation data. PI: D. Donoghue. Site: Kielder

NERC CASI, ATM and LiDAR data were requested in support of an established research project to develop models of woodland and canopy structure that combine ground and remotely sensed measurements. Combined estimate models address weaknesses in production forecast models that assume predictable and spatially uniform growth by adding information from Earth observation (EO) data about the rate and pattern of growth. On the other hand, structural parameters are very difficult to measure from any single source of EO data. The NERC ARSF data was used in conjunction with a large amount of ground survey data (one hundred 0.01ha plots), including three large 0.1ha plots with very detailed biometric data, multi-date and multi resolution satellite data, and, very detailed aerial photography.