Abstract ID: 354

Comparison of forest structure between two regions in Brazilian Amazon using LiDAR data

Characterizing the landscape dynamics in forested areas, including changes in forest structure caused by natural gap disturbances or human activities, is a key source of information to support studies of ecological processes such as secondary succession, the CO2 cycle, maintenance of tree diversity and community dynamics, and for development of Reduced Emissions from Degradation and Deforestation (REDD) mechanisms under the UN Convention on Climate Change. Airborne LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) sensors have been demonstrated to be a useful tool to quantify canopy structure complexity by directly obtaining measurements of key forest structural characteristics, such as canopy height, distribution of intercepted surfaces, crown height and width, and quantity of aboveground biomass. The objective of this study is to analyze and characterize, in three-dimensions, the structure of the forest canopy in two different forested regions in Brazilian Amazonia. Airborne LiDAR data was collected for seventeen sites (4000 ha) in the Manaus (AM) and Santarém (PA) regions in June of 2008. We have created LiDAR high resolution digital terrain models and canopy surface models for these sites and are using them to estimate stand height and biomass. A comparison between the regions is ongoing to analyze the forest structure variability within and among these study sites. Validation is being performed by comparing intensive field data collections with the results of the LiDAR survey.

Session:  Carbon - Forest dynamics, natural disturbance, and recovery. (A)

Presentation Type:  Oral