ARC parterships: industry and academia explore remote sensing applications

Abstract

Incorporating remote sensing and GIS technology into forestland management requires significant investment in tools and expertise, for uncertain benefits. The NASA-sponsored Affiliated Research Center (ARC) program seeks to reduce the risk through industry-university partnerships. These partnerships help define feasibility, benefits, and costs for new or improved information, methods, and products. The projects described include inventory, stand height and volume classification, and species type mapping and incorporate the use of digital airborne and satellite imagery, radar, and lidar data. Partners may include forest companies, consultants, technology developers, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations.