Abstract
We describe the design, implementation and performance of a novel airborne system, which integrates commercial waveform LiDAR, CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) camera and hyperspectral sensors into a common platform system. CAF’s (The Chinese Academy of Forestry) LiCHy (LiDAR, CCD and Hyperspectral) Airborne Observation System is a unique system that permits simultaneous measurements of vegetation vertical structure, horizontal pattern, and foliar spectra from different view angles at very high spatial resolution (~1 m) on a wide range of airborne platforms. The horizontal geo-location accuracy of LiDAR and CCD is about 0.5 m, with LiDAR vertical resolution and accuracy 0.15 m and 0.3 m, respectively. The geo-location accuracy of hyperspectral image is within 2 pixels for nadir view observations and 5–7 pixels for large off-nadir observations of 55° with multi-angle modular when comparing to LiDAR product. The complementary nature of LiCHy’s sensors makes it an effective and comprehensive system for forest inventory, change detection, biodiversity monitoring, carbon accounting and ecosystem service evaluation. The LiCHy system has acquired more than 8000 km2 of data over typical forests across China. These data are being used to investigate potential LiDAR and optical remote sensing applications in forest management, forest carbon accounting, biodiversity evaluation, and to aid in the development of similar satellite configurations. This paper describes the integration of the LiCHy system, the instrument performance and data processing workflow. We also demonstrate LiCHy’s data characteristics, current coverage, and potential vegetation applications.
Highlights
Forests have complex vertical structure and spatial mosaic pattern, consistingof many vegetation species at a variety of dynamic succession stages
Schlerf and Atzberger (2012) used spectro-directional satellite observations (PROBA/CHRIS) to estimate LAI in beech and spruce forests [28]. More benefits from these multiple sensors integration are to be explored and demonstrated before it is sent to space
CAF’s LiCHy system is comprised of four major sensors and their associated onboard control and computing systems: (i) GNSS and Inertial Navigation System (INS); (ii) waveform LiDAR; (iii) CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) sensor; and (iv) hyperspectral sensor with multi-angular module
Summary
Forests have complex vertical structure and spatial mosaic pattern, consistingof many vegetation species at a variety of dynamic succession stages. With the aid of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and IMU (inertial measurement unit) system, the direct georeference accuracy of airborne remote sensing data can achieve accuracies at decimeter levels [4] These sensors are becoming increasingly compact with decreasing cost, allowing opportunities for multiple sensor systems. Pang et al (2009) compared forest LAI estimation capability using airborne LiDAR and spaceborne hyperspectral data [19]. As LiDAR has been widely used for accurate estimation of forest structural parameters, some satellite mission concepts have been proposed to combine LiDAR and hyperspectral sensors on the same platform. Schlerf and Atzberger (2012) used spectro-directional satellite observations (PROBA/CHRIS) to estimate LAI in beech and spruce forests [28] More benefits from these multiple sensors integration are to be explored and demonstrated before it is sent to space. Its unique design and multi-angle observation capability of the hyperspectrum are introduced
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