By James D. Arney, Forest Biometrics Research Institute (FBRI)

  • Consider a Large Working Forest Ownership (0.5 – 1.5 million acres)
  • Traditional Inventory Approach (1970 – 1995) – “Phototype & Cruise
    • Human Photo Interpreter using an Experienced Eye
      • Stratify the Forest (48 – 72 Strata Maximum)
        • 4 – 6 Primary Species Groups
        • 4 Size Classes (Seedling, Sapling, Pole, Timber)
        • 3 Density Classes (Poor, Medium, Dense)
      • Cruise 20% of All Forest Acres / Stratum (Limited by Annual Budget)
        • 20% of 1 million acres at $7.00 / acre = $1,400,000 Initial Cruise
      • Extrapolate 80% of All Acres based on Average Tree Lists by Stratum
      • May Re-Merchandize and Grow Individual Stands
  • Remote Forest Mapping (1996 – 2019) – “Raster Theme Generator
    • Satellite 30m Raster-based Forest Themes for Species and Volume
      • Combinations of Satellite Spectral Bands and Coarse LiDAR
        • 4 – 6 Primary Species Groups
        • 3 – 7 Volume / Biomass Classes
      • Ground-based Calibration Plots for Species / Volume Signatures
    • Every Acre based on Direct Aerial Interpretation, No Extrapolations
    • Entire Forest easily Re-Classified & Updated Periodically
    • Cruise 1.5% Annually (target Defect & Harvest Planning)
    • No Capacity to Re-Merchandize or Grow Themes
  • Remote Forest Mapping (2020 +) – “Raster Polygon Generator
    • Satellite 10m Raster-based Forest Themes for Species, Size & Density
      • Combinations of Satellite Spectral Bands and Medium LiDAR
        • 4 – 8 Primary Species Groups
        • 4 – 8 Height Classes (20-foot strata)
        • 4 – 6 Density Classes (Crown Competition Factor index)
      • Ground-based Calibration Plots for Species / Height / Density
    • Every Acre based on Direct Aerial Classification, No Extrapolations
    • Entire Forest easily Re-Classified & Updated Periodically
    • Cruise 1.5% Annually (target Defect & Harvest Planning)
    • May Re-Merchandize and Grow Individual Stands
Satellite Raster 10-meter Pixels – Short Wave Band over Stand Polygons.
Satellite Raster 10-meter Pixels – Green Band over Stand Polygons.