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Title: Light Detection and Ranging: New Information for Improved Wetland Mapping and Monitoring

Author
item LANG, MEGAN - Us Forest Service (FS)
item McCarty, Gregory
item WILEN, BILL - Collaborator
item AWL, JANE - Collaborator

Submitted to: Popular Publication
Publication Type: Research Notes
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2010
Publication Date: 10/15/2010
Citation: Lang, M., McCarty, G.W., Wilen, B., Awl, J. 2010. Light detection and ranging: New information for improved wetland mapping and monitoring. Popular Publication. 32:10-13,36-37.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: To best preserve wetlands and associated ecosystem services, wetlands must be routinely monitored. Wetland mapping is an essential part of this monitoring program. Recently developed remote-sensing technologies and techniques have the potential to improve the detail and reliability of wetland maps and the ability to monitor important drivers of wetland condition and function, such as hydrology. One of these relatively new and reapidly developing technologies is laser altimetry, or light detection and ranging (LiDAR), which provides fine-scale information regarding 3-D topography, vegetation height, and plant structure, as well as hydropattern, across large areas.