Mapping Forest Attributes Using Airborne Laser Scanning and Artificial Intelligence
Instructors: Cesar Alvites Description: Stem volume is an essential component for estimating aboveground biomass and carbon stocks. Stem volume estimates are frequently used for acting forest management interventions and to monitor indirect and direct anthropogenic disturbance on forests. Field measurements provide accurate estimates but are spatially limited to plot areas (i.e. 900m2, 530m2). By leveraging Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS), it is possible to upscale plot-level forest attributes, including stem volume, to produce wall-to-wall maps across large areas. This hands-on virtual workshop introduces participants to one widely used upscaling framework: the area-based approach. Through guided exercises, participants will learn how to handle and process ALS data, link it with field measurements, and generate large-scale stem volume maps. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the strengths and limitations of this approach, best practices for data integration, and practical applications for biomass and carbon stock mapping. By the end of the workshop, participants will gain practical skills in ALS-based mapping techniques, preparing them to apply these methods for forest inventory, ecological monitoring, and resource management. More details here.
