Forest Informations Systems (FOR 4360)

Objective

This course is designed to introduce you to the techniques of aerial photo interpretation, ground truth that data, forest inventory, and then use that information in a GIS or in forest growth models. The focus is to develop the specific skills needed in forest land resource management. The course will consist of a set of exercises designed to introduce a variety of photo interpretation skills, field reconnaissance, forest inventory calculation, forest growth modeling and basic GIS topics. These skills will be applied to a specific study area near the University.

Assignments

Photo Inventory Project

Students in the class will learn specific photogrammetry skills that will help in the project. These include:

1. Basic understanding of Aerial Photography.
2. Determining scale of an unknown map or photograph.
3. Understanding stereo photogrammetry.
4. Identifying common features in aerial photographs.
5. Interpertation of forest type-size-density classes.
6. Determining randomsample points within an area.

Inventory Project

1. The students in the class will select a subset of plots to sample in the field. On these plots we will collect species, diameter at breast height, crown ratio for each tree on the plot and site index for each stand.
2. Develop a sample design compatiable with previous inventories.
3. Select sample locations.
4. Determine the navigation instructions to the sample locations.
5. Develop forms to record the data.
6. Data entry and calculation.
7. Import data into other software.

Analysis and Modeling

1. The class will process the data calculating several plot and stand average statistics.
2. These can be imported into GIS layers to allow a spatial analysis of the data or
3. They can be analyzed over time.

Assignment scoring

1^st Test 25%

2^nd Test 25%

Projects - 25%

Final - 25%

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Class Time and Place:

Lecture:

M 1:00-1:50 123 Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building

Lab:

M 2:00-4:50 123 Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building

Final: December 15, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm

Important University Policies

Your instructor will make all important announcements such as canceled class sessions, delayed due dates, and clarifications to assignments during class time. Usually the course assignments page  will also repeat this information.

No course changes will be sent by e-mail!

Email to the Instructor.  For matters related to this course, please send email to LarsenDR@missouri.edu.

Special Needs (ADA) Statement -

If you need accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please inform me immediately. Please see me privately after class, or at my office.

To request academic accommodations (for example, a note taker or extended time on exams), students must also register with the Office of Disability Services (http://disabilityservices.missouri.edu), S5 Memorial Union, 882-4696. It is the campus office responsible for reviewing documentation provided by students requesting academic accommodations, and for accommodations planning in cooperation with students and instructors, as needed and consistent with course requirements. For other MU resources for students with disabilities, click on "Disability Resources" on the MU homepage.

Academic Dishonesty Policy - Academic honesty is fundamental to the activities and principles of a university. All members of the academic community must be confident that each person's work has been responsibly and honorably acquired, developed, and presented. Any effort to gain an advantage not given to all students is dishonest whether or not the effort is successful. The academic community regards academic dishonesty as an extremely serious matter, with serious consequences that range from probation to expulsion. When in doubt about plagiarism, paraphrasing, quoting, or collaboration, consult the course instructor.