Calibration of small-area estimates for map errors in multisource forest inventory

Abstract

A multisource inventory method has been applied in the Finnish National Forest Inventory (NFI) since 1990.The method utilizes satellite images and digital map data,in addition to field measurements, and produces estimates of allfield parameters for computation units as well as thematic maps. Information from base mapsis employed in delineating forestry land from other land use classes.The map data are not necessarily up-to-date and often containsignificant errors. This paper introduces a statistical calibration method aimed atreducing the effect of map errors on multisource forest resourceestimates. The correction is based on theconfusion matrix between land use classes of the field sample plots and corresponding map information.The proposed method is illustrated in a realistic setting using data from the ninth NFI.