Forest insect damage, especially that caused by insects that kill trees or damage foliage, can be visible from long distances. This lends itself to mapping and assessment using various remote sensing technologies. Aerial sketchmapping, a technique for mapping forest damage from low flying aircraft, is effective for assessment of forest health over extensive and remote areas. Both color and color infrared aerial photos have been used for a variety of applications including damage inventories, damage mapping, assessment of the effectiveness of pest management activities and stand hazard rating. A variety of film formats, photo scales and sampling designs have been used. Other remote sensing tools used or are under development include airborne video and digital camera systems. Satellite imagery has limited application because spatial resolution is insufficient to resolve damage. In addition, the ability to acquire data when it is needed is limited because of temporal resolution. In many areas there is a low probability of weather suitable for image acquisition when the satellite is over the target site. Several tools extend the utility of data acquired via remote sensing. Geographic information systems facilitate analysis, display and storage of data on the status of forest insects. Global positioning systems increase ability to pinpoint sites from which remote sensing data is desired and locate sites for acquisition of ground data.
Keywords: remote sensing, forest entomology
Back to Section F Symposium: Applications of Remote Sensing in Entomology
Back to Section Symposia
Back to The 2003 ESA Annual Meeting and Exhibition