An estimation of tropical forest biomass with a combination of JERS-1 and Landsat TM data

M. E. J. Cutler, G. M. Foody, D. S. Boyd

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

    Abstract

    The use of remote sensing to estimate biomass in tropical forests has met with varying degrees of success. Previous work has demonstrated that reliable estimates of biomass can be made with Artificial Neural Networks, using data from single sites and with a degree of transferability between other tropical forests. Here JERS-1 data for three sites is combined with Landsat TM images, with the aim of improving the spatial transferability of the method. The image data were compared to ground data from sites in Malaysia, Brazil and Thailand using a feed-forward artificial neural network. The SAR data were weakly correlated with biomass, and when combined with optical data led to a marginal increase in the correlation coefficient for each site individually. However, improved relationships were observed when combined SAR/optical data for all sites were presented to the network, thus indicating marginally improved transferability in the method compared to using optical data alone.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationSustaining the Millennium Development Goals
    Subtitle of host publication33rd International symposium on remote sensing of environment
    Place of PublicationTucson
    PublisherInternational Center for Remote Sensing of Environment,
    Pages262-265
    Number of pages4
    ISBN (Print)093291313X, 9780932913135
    Publication statusPublished - 2009
    Event33rd International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment, ISRSE 2009 - Stresa, Italy
    Duration: 4 May 20098 May 2009

    Publication series

    Name Proceedings of the International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment
    Volume33

    Conference

    Conference33rd International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment, ISRSE 2009
    Country/TerritoryItaly
    CityStresa
    Period4/05/098/05/09

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