LIDAR remote sensing for secondary Tropical Dry Forest identification

摘要: Abstract This study evaluates the use of waveform LIDAR data for characterization secondary forests stages in a Tropical Dry Forest (TDF) area Guanacaste, Costa Rica. A forest succession is defined here as regrowth woody vegetation following complete or heavy clearance pasture, agriculture, other human activity. We first compare known spatial distribution three main TDF successional (Early, Intermediate and Late stages) constrained by published field observations tree height with that obtained from three-class classification data. In doing so we explicitly assess possibility using to map TDFs stages. demonstrates changes vertical structure (such height) associated principal Late) growth can be effectively identified The sequence observed related components occur when patches evolve an Early Stage which dominated sparse trees grass, initial intermediate characterized small canopies high density understory regeneration, then more complex developed late stage share some attributes Old forests. focus on since it highest interest policy makers dealing programs implementing payments environmental services. show analysis identify subclasses within providing further insights development growth. validation new classes provided showing mean standard deviation 6.16 ± 0.87, 7.82 ± 0.31 8.62 ± 1.22. m.