Project Number: 5342-13610-007-12
Project Type: Specific C/A

Start Date: Sep 27, 2002
End Date: Aug 31, 2005

Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research is to improve our ability to accurately measure the land surface topography over large areas and our ability to quantify the spatial distribution of above ground vegetation volume.

Approach:
Accurate representation of watershed topography and above ground vegetation structure are critical to adequately model and predict watershed storm response, erosion, sediment transport and vegetation transpiration. The current consensus in the hydrologic research community is that fundamental advances in watershed modeling and prediction are limited by our field characterization abilities and not by our modeling and computational capabilities. We will analyze and study the capability of airborne LIDAR (Laser Imaging Data And Ranging) to provide accurate, high-resolution delineation of watershed topographic characteristics (slope, roughness, channel geometry, drainage area, etc.) and the ability in incorporate this information readily into distributed hydrologic runoff, erosion, and sediment transport models. Because LIDAR obtains a primary (ground) and secondary (above ground vegetation, structures, etc.) range return we hypothesize that LIDAR analysis can be developed to provide measures of above ground vegetation and characteristics of its structure. Prior research in riparian systems has demonstrated that the size and canopy structure of cottonwood trees significantly affects their total transpiration water use. However, multi-spectral remotely sensed imagery alone cannot distinguish between younger, cylindrical cottonwoods and older, crown shaped cottonwoods. We will carry out a LIDAR remote sensing mission over the heavily instrumented USDA-ARS Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed and the San Pedro National Riparian Conservation Area riparian corridor with coordinated ground measurements of both surface topography and above ground vegetation characteristics. Documents SCA with U of FL.

Project Team

Goodrich, David - Dave Ramesh Shrestha - Professor/Director 520-670-6481

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003

Related National Programs

Water Quality & Management (201)   Global Change (204)