The Use of Satellite Imagery to Quickly Map Clearcuts Across a LandscapeSean Healey US Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station Laboratory for Applications of Remote Sensing in Ecology Abstract: The Laboratory for Applications of Remote Sensing in Ecology at the PNW Research Station is currently engaged in mapping all of the stand-replacing disturbances (primarily fires and harvests) in Oregon and Washington since 1984. This map, being produced for the Effectiveness Monitoring Module of the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP), will summarize disturbance across the PNW landscape in the 10 years preceding and the 8 years subsequent to the signing of the NWFP. The change detection method being used involves the classification of multi-temporal Tasseled Cap images derived from Landsat MSS, TM and ETM+ data. When the map is completed, harvest and fire occurrence trends will be analyzed over different ownerships and ecological provinces. This information will be used by policy-makers as they monitor the landscape-wide effects of the NWFP. |