Forest stem volume estimation using high-resolution lidar and SAR data

Presents a comparison of remote sensing of forests using two complementary, high-resolution sensors; namely the TopEye lidar and CARABAS VHF SAR systems. The lidar data are from a small footprint configuration, allowing discrimination between pulses reflected from the tree crowns, and those penetrating through gaps in the canopy. From these data, measurements of tree height and crown size can be made for individual trees, and the tree volume calculated through empirical relationships. The CARABAS VHF SAR provides a more direct measurement of tree volume, since the long wavelengths penetrate the forest canopy and are scattered by the trunk-ground dihedral. Results of stem volume retrieval for individual trees using data from the two systems are presented, and the possibility of using the complementary measurements discussed.