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Pubblicazioni Scientifiche
Filtri di ricerca 5 risultati
Pubblicazioni per anno
Performance assessment of two plotless sampling methods for density estimation applied to some Alpine forests of northeastern Italy
accuracy
conditional inference trees
distance-based density estimator
forest monitoring
ordered distance method
point-centred quarter method
precision
Mostra abstract
In this study, we tested two plotless sampling methods, the ordered distance method and point-centred quarter method, to estimate the tree density and basal area in some managed Alpine forests in northeastern Italy. We selected nine independent forest stands, classified according to the spatial distribution patterns of trees (cluster, random, regular). A plotless sampling survey was simulated within the selected stands and the tree density and basal area were estimated by applying both the ordered distance method and point-centred quarter method. We compared the estimates, in terms of accuracy and preci-sion, between the two methods and against estimates obtained from a simulated survey based on a plot-based sampling method. The point-centred quarter method outperformed the ordered distance method in terms of both accuracy and precision, showing higher robustness towards the bias related to non-random spatial patterns. However, both the plotless methods we tested can provide unbiased accuracy of estimates which, in addition, do not differ from estimates of plot-based sampling. The satisfactory results are encouraging for further tests over other Italian Alpine as well as Apennine forests. If con-firmed, the plotless sampling method, especially the point-centred quarter method, could represent an effective alternative whenever plot-based sampling is deemed redundant, or expensive. © SISEF.
Above-ground biomass prediction by Sentinel-1 multitemporal data in central Italy with integration of ALOS2 and Sentinel-2 data
Vaglio Laurin
,
Gaia
,
Balling
,
Johannes
,
Corona
,
P.
,
Mattioli
,
Walter
,
Papale
,
Dario
,
Puletti
,
Nicola
,
Rizzo
,
Maria
,
Truckenbrodt
,
John
,
Urban
,
Marcel
Mostra abstract
The objective of this research is to test Sentinel-1 SAR multitemporal data, supported by multispectral and SAR data at other wavelengths, for fine-scale mapping of above-ground biomass (AGB) at the provincial level in a Mediterranean forested landscape. The regression results indicate good accuracy of prediction (R2=0.7) using integrated sensors when an upper bound of 400Mg ha-1 is used in modeling. Multitemporal SAR information was relevant, allowing the selection of optimal Sentinel-1 data, as broadleaf forests showed a different response in backscatter throughout the year. Similar accuracy in predictions was obtained when using SAR multifrequency data or joint SAR and optical data. Predictions based on SAR data were more conservative, and in line with those from an independent sample from the National Forest Inventory, than those based on joint data types. The potential of S1 data in predicting AGB can possibly be improved if models are developed per specific groups (deciduous or evergreen species) or forest types and using a larger range of ground data. Overall, this research shows the usefulness of Sentinel-1 data to map biomass at very high resolution for local study and at considerable carbon density. © The Authors. Published by SPIE under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. Distribution or reproduction of this work in whole or in part requires full attribution of the original publication, including its DOI.
Where are we now with European forest multi-taxon biodiversity and where can we head to?
Burrascano
,
Sabina
,
Chianucci
,
Francesco
,
Trentanovi
,
Giovanni
,
Kepfer-Rojas
,
Sebastian
,
Sitzia
,
Tommaso
,
Tinya
,
Flóra
,
Doerfler
,
Inken
,
Paillet
,
Yoan
,
Nagel
,
Thomas A.
,
Mitić
,
Božena
,
Morillas
,
Lourdes
,
Munzi
,
Silvana
,
Van Der Sluis
,
Theo
,
Alterio
,
Edoardo
,
Balducci
,
Lorenzo
,
de Andrade
,
Rafael Barreto
,
Bouget
,
Christophe
,
Giordani
,
P.
,
Lachat
,
Thibault
,
Matošević
,
Dinka
,
Napoleone
,
Francesca
,
Nascimbene
,
Juri
,
Paniccia
,
Chiara
,
Roth
,
Nicolas
,
Aszalós
,
Réka
,
Brazaitis
,
Gediminas
,
Cutini
,
Andrea
,
D'Andrea
,
Ettore
,
de Smedt
,
Pallieter
,
Heilmann-Clausen
,
Jacob
,
Janssen
,
Philippe
,
Kozák
,
Daniel
,
Mårell
,
Anders
,
Mikoláš
,
Martin
,
Nordén
,
Björn
,
Matula
,
Radim
,
Schall
,
Peter
,
Svoboda
,
Miroslav
,
Ujházyová
,
Mariana
,
Vandekerkhove
,
Kris
,
Wohlwend
,
Michael Rudolf
,
Xystrakis
,
Fotios
,
Aleffi
,
Michele
,
Ammer
,
Christian
,
Archaux
,
Frédéric
,
Asbeck
,
Thomas
,
N Avtzis
,
Dimitrios N.
,
Ayasse
,
Manfred
,
Bagella
,
Simonetta
,
Balestrieri
,
Rosario
,
Barbati
,
Anna
,
Basile
,
Marco
,
Bergamini
,
Ariel
,
Bertini
,
Giada
,
Biscaccianti
,
Alessandro Bruno
,
Boch
,
Steffen
,
Bölöni
,
János
,
Bombi
,
Pierluigi
,
Boscardin
,
Yves
,
Brunialti
,
Giorgio
,
Bruun
,
Hans Henrik
,
Buscot
,
François
,
Byriel
,
David Bille
,
Campagnaro
,
Thomas
,
Campanaro
,
Alessandro
,
Chauvat
,
Matthieu
,
Ciach
,
Michał
,
Čiliak
,
Marek
,
Cistrone
,
Luca
,
Pereira
,
Joaò Manuel Cordeiro
,
Daniel
,
Rolf
,
de Cinti
,
Bruno
,
de Filippo
,
Gabriele
,
Dekoninck
,
Wouter
,
Di Salvatore
,
Umberto
,
Dumas
,
Yann
,
Elek
,
Zoltán
,
Ferretti
,
Fabrizio
,
Fotakis
,
Dimitrios G.
,
Frank
,
Tamás
,
Frey
,
Julian
,
Giancola
,
Carmen
,
Gömöryová
,
Erika
,
Gosselin
,
Marion
,
Gosselin
,
Frédéric
,
Goßner
,
Martin M.
,
Götmark
,
Frank
,
Haeler
,
Elena
,
Hansen
,
Aslak Kappel
,
Hertzog
,
Lionel R.
,
Hofmeister
,
Jeňýk
,
Hošek
,
Jan
,
Johannsen
,
Vivian Kvist
,
Justensen
,
Mathias Just
,
Korboulewsky
,
Nathalie
,
Kovács
,
Bence
,
Lakatos
,
Ferenc
,
Landivar
,
Carlos Miguel
,
Lens
,
Luc
,
Lingua
,
Emanuele
forest biodiversity
biodiversity conservation
forest stand structure
multi-taxon
sustainable management
Mostra abstract
The European biodiversity and forest strategies rely on forest sustainable management (SFM) to conserve forest biodiversity. However, current sustainability assessments hardly account for direct biodiversity indicators. We focused on forest multi-taxon biodiversity to: i) gather and map the existing information; ii) identify knowledge and research gaps; iii) discuss its research potential. We established a research network to fit data on species, standing trees, lying deadwood and sampling unit description from 34 local datasets across 3591 sampling units. A total of 8724 species were represented, with the share of common and rare species varying across taxonomic classes: some included many species with several rare ones (e.g., Insecta); others (e.g., Bryopsida) were represented by few common species. Tree-related structural attributes were sampled in a subset of sampling units (2889; 2356; 2309 and 1388 respectively for diameter, height, deadwood and microhabitats). Overall, multi-taxon studies are biased towards mature forests and may underrepresent the species related to other developmental phases. European forest compositional categories were all represented, but beech forests were over-represented as compared to thermophilous and boreal forests. Most sampling units (94%) were referred to a habitat type of conservation concern. Existing information may support European conservation and SFM strategies in: (i) methodological harmonization and coordinated monitoring; (ii) definition and testing of SFM indicators and thresholds; (iii) data-driven assessment of the effects of environmental and management drivers on multi-taxon forest biological and functional diversity, (iv) multi-scale forest monitoring integrating in-situ and remotely sensed information. © 2023 The Authors
Review of ground and aerial methods for vegetation cover fraction (fCover) and related quantities estimation: definitions, advances, challenges, and future perspectives
Li
,
Linyuan
,
Mu
,
Xihan
,
Jiang
,
Hailan
,
Chianucci
,
Francesco
,
Hu
,
Ronghai
,
Song
,
Wanjuan
,
Qi
,
Jianbo
,
Liu
,
Shouyang
,
Zhou
,
Jiaxin
,
Chen
,
Ling
,
Huang
,
Huaguo
,
Yan
,
Guangjian
airborne remote sensing
fcover
ground measurements
image and lidar
unmanned aerial vehicle (uav)
“cover” attribute
Mostra abstract
Vegetation cover fraction (fCover) and related quantities are basic yet critical vegetation structure variables in various disciplines and applications. Ground- and aerial-based proximal and remote sensing techniques have been widely adapted across multiple spatial extents. However, the definitions of fCover-related nomenclatures have not yet been fully standardized, leading to confusing terms and making comparing historic measures difficult. With the issues potentially arising from an increasing diversity of fCover and related quantities estimation methods and corresponding uncertainties, there is also a growing need to spread knowledge on the current advances, challenges, and perspectives, especially in the context of no such existing review for ground- and aerial- based estimation. This paper provides the current knowledge mainly concerning passive image-based methods and active light detection and ranging (LiDAR) -based methods. We first harmonized the definitions of fCover and its related quantities (e.g., effective canopy cover, crown cover, stratified vegetation cover, and canopy fraction). Secondly, the typical applications of fCover and related quantities over a range of scales, fields, and ecosystems were summarized. Thirdly yet importantly, we offered a comprehensive review of traditional non-imaging methods, image-based methods (e.g., segmentation, unmixing, and spectral retrieval), point cloud-based methods (e.g., rasterization), and LiDAR return-based methods (e.g., return number index and return intensity retrieval) across different platforms (i.e., ground, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and airplane). Our investigation of fCover and related quantities estimation touches upon various vegetation ecosystems, including agriculture cropland, grassland, wetland, and forest. Finally, the current challenges and future directions were discussed, such as image signal processing under complex heterogeneous surfaces and stratified cover and non-photosynthesis cover retrieval. We, therefore, expect that this review may offer an insight into fCover and related quantities estimation and serve as a reference for remote sensing scientists, agronomists, silviculturists, and ecologists. © 2023 International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, Inc. (ISPRS)
Ultrahigh-resolution boreal forest canopy mapping: Combining UAV imagery and photogrammetric point clouds in a deep-learning-based approach
Li
,
Linyuan
,
Mu
,
Xihan
,
Chianucci
,
Francesco
,
Qi
,
Jianbo
,
Jiang
,
Jingyi
,
Zhou
,
Jiaxin
,
Chen
,
Ling
,
Huang
,
Huaguo
,
Yan
,
Guangjian
,
Liu
,
Shouyang
Mostra abstract
Accurate wall-to-wall estimation of forest crown cover is critical for a wide range of ecological studies. Notwithstanding the increasing use of UAVs in forest canopy mapping, the ultrahigh-resolution UAV imagery requires an appropriate procedure to separate the contribution of understorey from overstorey vegetation, which is complicated by the spectral similarity between the two forest components and the illumination environment. In this study, we investigated the integration of deep learning and the combined data of imagery and photogrammetric point clouds for boreal forest canopy mapping. The procedure enables the automatic creation of training sets of tree crown (overstorey) and background (understorey) data via the combination of UAV images and their associated photogrammetric point clouds and expands the applicability of deep learning models with self-supervision. Based on the UAV images with different overlap levels of 12 conifer forest plots that are categorized into “I”, “II” and “III” complexity levels according to illumination environment, we compared the self-supervised deep learning-predicted canopy maps from original images with manual delineation data and found an average intersection of union (IoU) larger than 0.9 for “complexity I” and “complexity II” plots and larger than 0.75 for “complexity III” plots. The proposed method was then compared with three classical image segmentation methods (i.e., maximum likelihood, Kmeans, and Otsu) in the plot-level crown cover estimation, showing outperformance in overstorey canopy extraction against other methods. The proposed method was also validated against wall-to-wall and pointwise crown cover estimates using UAV LiDAR and in situ digital cover photography (DCP) benchmarking methods. The results showed that the model-predicted crown cover was in line with the UAV LiDAR method (RMSE of 0.06) and deviate from the DCP method (RMSE of 0.18). We subsequently compared the new method and the commonly used UAV structure-from-motion (SfM) method at varying forward and lateral overlaps over all plots and a rugged terrain region, yielding results showing that the method-predicted crown cover was relatively insensitive to varying overlap (largest bias of less than 0.15), whereas the UAV SfM-estimated crown cover was seriously affected by overlap and decreased with decreasing overlap. In addition, canopy mapping over rugged terrain verified the merits of the new method, with no need for a detailed digital terrain model (DTM). The new method is recommended to be used in various image overlaps, illuminations, and terrains due to its robustness and high accuracy. This study offers opportunities to promote forest ecological applications (e.g., leaf area index estimation) and sustainable management (e.g., deforestation). © 2022 The Author(s)