Can a Remote Sensing Approach with Hyperspectral Data Provide Early Detection and Mapping of Spatial Patterns of Black Bear Bark Stripping in Coast Redwoods?
The prevalence of black bear (<i>Ursus americanus</i>) bark stripping in commercial redwood (<i>Sequoia sempervirens</i> (D. Don) Endl.) timber stands has been increasing in recent years. This stripping is a threat to commercial timber production because of the deleterious ef...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-03-01
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| Series: | Forests |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/12/3/378 |
| _version_ | 1797540483154575360 |
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| author | Shayne Magstadt David Gwenzi Buddhika Madurapperuma |
| author_facet | Shayne Magstadt David Gwenzi Buddhika Madurapperuma |
| author_sort | Shayne Magstadt |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The prevalence of black bear (<i>Ursus americanus</i>) bark stripping in commercial redwood (<i>Sequoia sempervirens</i> (D. Don) Endl.) timber stands has been increasing in recent years. This stripping is a threat to commercial timber production because of the deleterious effects on redwood tree fitness. This study sought to unveil a remote sensing method to detect these damaged trees early and map their spatial patterns. By developing a timely monitoring method, forest timber companies can manipulate their timber harvesting routines to adapt to the consequences of the problem. We explored the utility of high spatial resolution UAV-collected hyperspectral imagery as a means for early detection of individual trees stripped by black bears. A hyperspectral sensor was used to capture ultra-high spatial and spectral information pertaining to redwood trees with no damage, those that have been recently attacked by bears, and those with old bear damage. This spectral information was assessed using the Jeffries-Matusita (JM) distance to determine regions along the electromagnetic spectrum that are useful for discerning these three-health classes. While we were able to distinguish healthy trees from trees with old damage, we were unable to distinguish healthy trees from recently damaged trees due to the inherent characteristics of redwood tree growth and the subtle spectral changes within individual tree crowns for the time period assessed. The results, however, showed that with further assessment, a time window may be identified that informs damage before trees completely lose value. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:01:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-433e8f5f5f724e2bb30307a024259727 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4907 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:01:59Z |
| publishDate | 2021-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Forests |
| spelling | doaj.art-433e8f5f5f724e2bb30307a0242597272023-11-21T11:27:32ZengMDPI AGForests1999-49072021-03-0112337810.3390/f12030378Can a Remote Sensing Approach with Hyperspectral Data Provide Early Detection and Mapping of Spatial Patterns of Black Bear Bark Stripping in Coast Redwoods?Shayne Magstadt0David Gwenzi1Buddhika Madurapperuma2Department of Environnemental Science and Management, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA 95521, USADepartment of Environnemental Science and Management, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA 95521, USADepartment of Environnemental Science and Management, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA 95521, USAThe prevalence of black bear (<i>Ursus americanus</i>) bark stripping in commercial redwood (<i>Sequoia sempervirens</i> (D. Don) Endl.) timber stands has been increasing in recent years. This stripping is a threat to commercial timber production because of the deleterious effects on redwood tree fitness. This study sought to unveil a remote sensing method to detect these damaged trees early and map their spatial patterns. By developing a timely monitoring method, forest timber companies can manipulate their timber harvesting routines to adapt to the consequences of the problem. We explored the utility of high spatial resolution UAV-collected hyperspectral imagery as a means for early detection of individual trees stripped by black bears. A hyperspectral sensor was used to capture ultra-high spatial and spectral information pertaining to redwood trees with no damage, those that have been recently attacked by bears, and those with old bear damage. This spectral information was assessed using the Jeffries-Matusita (JM) distance to determine regions along the electromagnetic spectrum that are useful for discerning these three-health classes. While we were able to distinguish healthy trees from trees with old damage, we were unable to distinguish healthy trees from recently damaged trees due to the inherent characteristics of redwood tree growth and the subtle spectral changes within individual tree crowns for the time period assessed. The results, however, showed that with further assessment, a time window may be identified that informs damage before trees completely lose value.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/12/3/378bear bark strippingredwoodshyperspectralUAVsupport vector machinevegetation indices |
| spellingShingle | Shayne Magstadt David Gwenzi Buddhika Madurapperuma Can a Remote Sensing Approach with Hyperspectral Data Provide Early Detection and Mapping of Spatial Patterns of Black Bear Bark Stripping in Coast Redwoods? Forests bear bark stripping redwoods hyperspectral UAV support vector machine vegetation indices |
| title | Can a Remote Sensing Approach with Hyperspectral Data Provide Early Detection and Mapping of Spatial Patterns of Black Bear Bark Stripping in Coast Redwoods? |
| title_full | Can a Remote Sensing Approach with Hyperspectral Data Provide Early Detection and Mapping of Spatial Patterns of Black Bear Bark Stripping in Coast Redwoods? |
| title_fullStr | Can a Remote Sensing Approach with Hyperspectral Data Provide Early Detection and Mapping of Spatial Patterns of Black Bear Bark Stripping in Coast Redwoods? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Can a Remote Sensing Approach with Hyperspectral Data Provide Early Detection and Mapping of Spatial Patterns of Black Bear Bark Stripping in Coast Redwoods? |
| title_short | Can a Remote Sensing Approach with Hyperspectral Data Provide Early Detection and Mapping of Spatial Patterns of Black Bear Bark Stripping in Coast Redwoods? |
| title_sort | can a remote sensing approach with hyperspectral data provide early detection and mapping of spatial patterns of black bear bark stripping in coast redwoods |
| topic | bear bark stripping redwoods hyperspectral UAV support vector machine vegetation indices |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/12/3/378 |
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