FED/MAC
Objectives
The overall objective of our work was to capitalize on and
develop the unique advantages of remote sensing data combined
with models of forest ecosystem dynamics for characterizing
northern/boreal forest ecosystems, especially with regard to the
interpretation of landscape patterns and processes at local and
regional scales.
Specific objectives for the FED experiment at IP's Northern
Experimental Forest included:
- Enhance the development of an integrated quantitative model
which simulates forest, soil, and energy dynamics processes
in northern forest environments. This will be achieved
through modification and continuing development of the three
types of sub-models discussed above.
- Develop improved remote sensing technology to infer
biophysical parameter inputs for forest succession and soil
models. The relationships among remote sensing and forest canopy
characteristics required by forest succession and soil process
models will be developed and tested.
- Develop a better understanding of the transfer and utilization
of energy in forest canopies. This goal is being accomplished
via collection of detailed spectral reflectance data in the field
and laboratory, and by exercising existing radiative transfer
models.
- Use field and remote sensing observations to help infer where
landscape pattern and process ecosystem models succeed or fail
at local to regional spatial scales and interannual temporal
scales. This objective is being accomplished through comparison
of model predictions with field experimental data, and changes in
successional stage, bioproductivity, and other biophysical
parameters based on remotely sensed measurements.
- Use field and remote sensing observations to help infer where
landscape pattern and process ecosystem models succeed or fail
at local to regional spatial scales and interannual temporal
scales. This objective is being accomplished through comparison
of model predictions with field experimental data, and changes in
successional stage, bioproductivity, and other biophysical
parameters based on remotely sensed measurements.
- Use remote sensing observations as a check on such
potentially observable forest ecosystem dynamic model predicted
attributes. Specific ecosystem model algorithms and output
parameters are being evaluated directly by examining
relationships developed between sensor measured response and
ecosystem attributes.
- Use remote sensing observations and models to extract
biophysical properties of forest canopies, soils, and hydrologic
parameters used in our forest ecosystem models. Physically based
radar and optical models are being applied to data collected over
subsets of the Northern Experimental Forest to examine radar and
optical scattering characteristics of different scene components.
Model inversion strategies are also being applied for selected
ecosystem model inputs.