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Combining Remote Sensing and Forest Ecosystem Modeling: An Example Using the Regional HydroEcological Simulation System (RHESSys)

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The Use of Remote Sensing in the Modeling of Forest Productivity

Part of the book series: Forestry Sciences ((FOSC,volume 50))

Abstract

Images from airborne or satellite-based remote sensing systems are the only data available for regional and global productivity studies that do not require interpolation or extrapolation. Four categories of image use are identified: image classification, model initialization, model input and model verification. Model initialization using vegetation indices derived from images is discussed using a regional modeling framework, the Regional HydroEcological Simulation System (RHESSys). In this chapter, we illustrate RHESSys’ sensitivity to soil moisture and the interrelationships between the soil data theme and the vegetation and climate data themes. Improving image transfer functions can increase the quality of vegetation estimates; however, ancillary data (such as topography and soil data) are also needed at appropriate levels of accuracy and precision. An example simulation is provided, which uses vegetation data from two watersheds in western Montana. Results demonstrate the model’s sensitivity to soil data in a wet, dry climate, and indicate the importance of considering the data collection process as an integrated effort guided by modeling requirements and model sensitivity. Additional consideration must be made for validation and collection of independent data for these purposes.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. JCWS Ames Operation, NASA, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA

    Joseph C. Coughlan & Jennifer L. Dungan

Authors
  1. Joseph C. Coughlan
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  2. Jennifer L. Dungan
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Tokai University, Tokyo, Japan

    Haruhisa Shimoda

  2. University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA

    Henry L. Gholz

  3. Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan

    Kaneyuki Nakane

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Coughlan, J.C., Dungan, J.L. (1997). Combining Remote Sensing and Forest Ecosystem Modeling: An Example Using the Regional HydroEcological Simulation System (RHESSys). In: Shimoda, H., Gholz, H.L., Nakane, K. (eds) The Use of Remote Sensing in the Modeling of Forest Productivity. Forestry Sciences, vol 50. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5446-8_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5446-8_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-6290-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-5446-8

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