Author: W. H. Fogal

Publisher: Sault Ste. Marie : Ontario Forest Research Institute

Published: 1997

Total Pages: 112

ISBN-13:

The primary objective of the project reported in this document is to review and evaluate the use of remote sensing applications to assess forest health and sustainability. After an introduction discussing the concept of forest health and relationships between stress, strain, and damage, section 2 reviews the factors most likely to cause plant stress, the manner in which the stresses are manifested, and methods for detecting or determining those factors (both environmental and man-made). Section 3 focuses on the manifestations or markers of stress, related factors, and other indicators of health and vigour. This leads to a review of the role of remote sensing technology for supplying such information in section 4, which describes such tools as cameras, imaging spectrometers, satellite-borne sensors, and geographic information technologies. Section 5 reviews applications where remote sensing could contribute to forest health studies, and identifies the most promising technologies. A design framework for forest health monitoring is then outlined, and some general implementation strategies are suggested. Specific project stages and pilot studies are also proposed which are intended to develop essential methodologies or test new approaches to forest health remote sensing. Finally, financial implications of various project options are assessed. The appendix includes discussion of temporal and spatial considerations for monitoring forest health and sustainability.