The bioindicators of Forest Condition Project: A physiological, remote sensing approach

Citation
Ph. Sampson et al., The bioindicators of Forest Condition Project: A physiological, remote sensing approach, FOREST CHRO, 76(6), 2000, pp. 941-952
Citations number
85
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Plant Sciences
Journal title
FORESTRY CHRONICLE
ISSN journal
0015-7546 → ACNP
Volume
76
Issue
6
Year of publication
2000
Pages
941 - 952
Database
ISI
SICI code
0015-7546(200011/12)76:6<941:TBOFCP>2.0.ZU;2-M
Abstract
Objective measures of forest ecosystem condition are needed to gauge the ef fects of management activities and natural phenomena on sustainability. The Bioindicators of Forest Condition Project seeks to develop a Forest Condit ion Rating (FCR) system using a physiological, remote sensing approach. In particular, the goal of the project is to test whether hyperspectral remote sensing may be used to infer stand-level information about pigment concent ration, chlorophyll fluorescence, and other physiological features of condi tion. The project spans a four-year period of intensive sampling in toleran t hardwood forests in Ontario using the Compact Airborne Spectrographic Ima ger (CASI). For each airborne campaign, concurrent ground-based sampling fo r leaf physiological features was performed. Controlled laboratory and gree nhouse studies were also conducted to derive relationships between leaf-bas ed spectral measurements and physiology in the presence of environmental st resses. The project has identified several promising bioindicators of strai n that are discernible from hyperspectral images and related to ground-base d physiology. The most promising remote indicator for semi-operational test ing is estimation of chlorophyll content, which can be used to classify map le stands on a five-stage scale of health. Chlorophyll fluorescence has als o been discerned from spectral signatures, but our studies indicate it may be confounded by chlorophyll content. The intent here is to update the fore stry community on progress made, insights gained, and the practical implica tions of the research.