Respond Projects

Forestry & Ecology

Forestry and ecology- biophysical parameters

Sub pixel tree cover estimates using multi sensor IRS imagery . Observations on ecophysiological factors for tropical forests and parameterization of biome models for Indian forests. Feature recognition of tree and canopy objects in IRS pan and multi spectral imagery. Automated methods for estimation of tree allometry fine scale biomass and stand structure using laser measurements

Developing a Plant functional types based approach for use in biodiversity monitoring using earth observation data

Biodiversity is commonly measured by ‘species richness’, which is the number of species in a site or habitat, other measures include the structural and functional attributes. Measuring or characterizing biodiversity is needed for understanding and monitoring the temporal and spatial patterns and changes. A definitive understanding is required for state-of-the-art key ‘biodiversity metrics’ from space based observation for developing biodiversity monitoring strategies. Since species are not always readily identifiable in remotely sensed data, it useful to have a level of abstraction, plant functional types (PFTs) that can be used with RS data sets. It is necessary to identify parameters and develop a PFT characterization for India’s forest vegetation. Satellite derived descriptions on the spatial distribution of plant functional types along with spatial descriptions of vegetation structure and function are likely to be a set of variables that are useful to understand the compositional, structural and functional aspects of biodiversity and its monitoring.