Using computer science based approaches to determine forest structure from remote sensing data

Lisa Bentley
Associate Professor, Department of Biology Sonoma State University

Stevenson Hall 1300
12:00 PM - 12:50 PM

In this talk, I will discuss my current research project, 3DForests, which aims to evaluate the use of remote sensing techniques to rapidly and more accurately estimate aboveground biomass (AGB) for a range of tree species and estimate crucial fuels parameters to help validate or refine fuel treatment tools and fire behavior models across diverse California forests. Specifically, we use state-of-the-art terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) combined with modern data processing techniques, to acquire detailed measurements of 3D forest structure in coastal and southern Cascade forests of northern California. Importantly, I will focus on data analysis approaches of these 3D data based in computer science, including quantitative structure modeling, classification and machine learning.