Cookbook Annex Vol4 en
Cookbook Annex Vol4 en
COOKBOOK
ANNEX
Research Manual Vol. 4
Ground Truth Survey
MASAYOSHI TAKAHASHI
March, 2019
The REDD Research and Development Center
Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute
Contents
1 Outline 1
1.1 Purpose of REDD-plus Cookbook Annex 1
1.2 How to use this survey manual 1
1.3 Recipes covered by REDD-plus Cookbook 1
2 Ground truth survey design —A survey method using the Bitterlich method 2
2.1 What is the ground truth survey used for? 2
2.2 Steps to perform the ground truth survey 2
2.3 What is the Bitterlich method? 2
2.4 Preparation for the survey 2
2.5 Preparing satellite images and selecting ground truth survey points 3
Appendix 12
How to use the tools 12
An example of the survey note 17
References 21
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1 Outline
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2 Ground truth survey design —A survey method using the Bitterlich method
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beforehand.
■ 2.5 Preparing satellite images and selecting ground truth survey points
Pretreatment of satellite images, including the target site, is performed [Recipe-T06]. When
using the object-based classi¿cation method, pretreated satellite images are used to perform
the object-based classi¿cation. Statistically appropriate numbers of survey points are selected,
and the candidate survey points are selected on the images [Recipe-T08].
When using object-based classi¿cation, the survey points avoid the edge of objects, so that
the ground truth survey candidate points are set within a certain distance inside the object
boundary (at least 2 to 3 pixels).
Position information of the candidate survey points is summarized in a list. Smart devices that
are able to display spatial information (smartphone, tablets, etc.) would be useful if the position
information of the candidate survey points are stored.
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Ludde Prism
GPS
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An example of a plot ID is three letters and two numbers, and a rule should be
TIPS
prepared so that there are no duplicate IDs.
If using a Garmin GPS, use the Waypoint Averaging function, and record the
TIPS
measurements for the center of the survey point.
When saving measured values on the GPS, recommended point name is the Plot
TIPS
ID. This makes easier to reference at a later time.
Latitude: Record the latitude of the survey point in the WGS84 format.
Longitude: Record the longitude of the survey point in the WGS84 format.
Altitude: Record the altitude of the survey point in meters.
GPS Receiver: Record the name of the GPS receiver used.
Topography: Record the topography of the survey point.
Slope Direction: Examine the direction of the slope using the compass, and record it down
to eight directions.
Slope Angle: The slope is measured with an inclinometer and recorded by degrees. If there
is no slope, note 0 degrees.
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3.5.2 Forest condition of survey points (understanding the hierarchical structure and coverage)
Forest Condition: Record the state of the forest.
Crown Coverage: Crown coverage is recorded as one of ¿ve stages (0-20, 20-40, 40-
60, 60-80, and 80-100).
Total Stories: Coverage of the overall forest is evaluated and recorded.
Upper + Middle: Coverage of the upper and middle stories is evaluated and recorded.
Upper story: Coverage of the upper story, with the middle story excluded, is evaluated and
recorded.
Note for Disturbance: Note the information related to the disturbance of the forest. For exam-
ple, comments such as “there are new/old stumps” and “there are pioneer species
observed after disturbance”.
3.5.3 Selection of the survey target trees, identi¿cation of tree species, and measurements of
the DBH and tree height
Bitterlich Note: Record items according to the Bitterlich method.
Bitterlich Method Measurement: Measurements with the Bitterlich method.
Basal Area Constant (k): Record basal area constant (k).
TIPS Total Count is equal to the sum of the survey tree count.
Tree Measurement: For target trees of the Bitterlich method, measurement information is
recorded as 1 or 0.5.
No.: Number of the tree being surveyed.
SP: Record the species name or a common name.
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TIPS The standard height for DBH measurement is 130 cm from the ground surface.
DBH is measured for all counted trees by the Bitterlich method. However, if tree
TIPS trunks branch apart or are deformed due to a knot or rot at 130 cm, the diameter
is measured above or below at the closest height.
H(m): Tree height is measured with an altimeter and results are recorded.
Count: Record the Bitterlich count (1 or 0.5).
3.5.4 Photography
Photograph (¿lename): Take photographs of the forest at the survey point. At the center of the
survey point, take photographs in all four cardinal directions and record the ¿le name
of photographs.
3.5.5 Sketches
Sketch of the Forests Condition:Sketch the cross section of the forest around the survey
point. At this time, it would be useful to record a scale for rough tree heights
and species names (abbreviations are acceptable) so that the hierarchical
structure and condition of the forest Àoor would be clear.
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3.5.7 Notes
Note important items related to the target forests, such as the landowner name, contact
information, name of the forest, distance from the road, and surrounding land use.
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The ground truth survey data collected in Section 3 are processed, and above-ground bio-
mass (AGB) is calculated using an allometry method. Here, let us introduce an example of a
survey conducted in a tropical forest in South America.
Please refer to [Cookbook Annex Vol. 1] for the calculation of AGB using the
TIPS
allometry method.
where 'i and Hi represent DBH (cm) and tree height (m) of tree i, respectively. For wood density
ȡ, the default value for tropical zones (South America) is applied (0.60 g cm-3). For example, in
the case of tree no.1 Quebracho Colorado:
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Next, when converting the AGB of this surveyed tree to per ha, AGB needs to be multiplied
by the Bitterlich count method (1 or 0.5) and the number of trees per ha, N. The number of trees
per ha for tree i (Ni) can be calculated with:
4k
Ni =
ʌ'i2
Since this survey used a Ludde, and k = 1, the number of trees per ha for tree no.1 (N No.1) is:
If the count of tree i is Ci, then AGB of tree i per ha (AGBh_i ) can be calculated with:
AGBh_i = AGBi * Ni * Ci
Therefore, AGB per ha for tree no.1 (AGBh_ No.1) is calculated with:
This calculation is performed for all surveyed trees, and when all AGB values are summed, the
AGB of the survey point per ha is obtained (Table 4). AGB of the survey point EGC03 is ca.
51.3 t/ha.
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Appendix
・Measurement method for the slope angle (only with measurement function)
(1) Face the direction of the steepest slope.
(2) Determine a position that is the height of your eyes and take a measurement using the
slope function. At this time, if an item (person, stick, etc.) is used to indicate the height of
your eyes, measurements would be more accurate.
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stop walking.
(7) The guide joins the walker.
(8) The guide holds the compass in front of his/her body, and faces the direction in which the
needle and the bezel match.
(9) Repeat steps (4) to (8).
Make sure to read the instruction manual thoroughly before use.
2) Ludde
A Ludde is the tool for a Bitterlich count.
Tools for Bitterlich count include the Bitterlich prism and Relascope, in addition
TIPS
to the Ludde.
If the tree is even slightly larger than the gauge, record as count 1, and if it is even
TIPS
slightly smaller, do not record it.
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Even trees of the same size could appear differently based on the distance to the standing
tree from the observer (Figure 3).
$
%
G
G
Ș
Ș G &
Figure 3. Relationship between the distance to the tree and the opening angle (from AWF-WIKI).
When the opening angle, Į, is determined, if the distance to the target tree is closer, the
width of the tree appears wider (Figure 3A, count 1). If the distance is further, it appears thinner
(Figure 3B, count 0). If the tree is at the right distance, the width will match the angle Į (Figure
3C, count 0.5).
At a given point, look around 360 degrees and compare the width of a tree viewed with the
opening angle of Į with the width of the stem of the tree to select the tree to count. By multiplying
the count total (N) with the basal area factor (k), determined by the opening angle Į, the sum of
basal area per unit area (G) is estimated.
In other words, the total basal area per unit area (G) is expressed as:
G = kN
Basal area factor (k) and the opening angle (Į) have the following relationship:
It is known that there is relationship between the AGB and total basal area of forest stands.
2
k = 10000 * ( sin )
2
If there is a relationship equation for the total basal area and AGB of forest stands, the AGB of
the stands can be estimated.
If measuring DBH and tree height of counted trees, the AGB can be estimated with a different
way. If we look from the viewing point with the angle Į and assume that DBH of counted tree
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i, counted as 0.5, is di, it must be on the circumference of a circle with the radius of R from the
view point. In other words, it can be assumed that there is one standing tree i with DBH di in
the area ʌR2 of a circle with radius R. If we assume that there are standing trees with the same
diameter as the standing tree i (di) at the same area ratio, the number of standing trees with the
same basal area per unit area (usually 1 ha) is:
10000
N=
ʌR2
where R is:
di
R=
2 sin Į
2
and:
Į k
sin =
2 100
thus:
50di
R=
¥k 2
therefore, N is:
4k
N=
ʌ di 2
if the AGB of the standing tree i (AGBi) can be estimated using the measured values, such as
DBH and tree height, along with the allometry equation, the AGB per unit area of AGBi (AGBh_i)
with the same DBH di is:
AGBh_i = c * AGBi * N
If we assume that the standing tree i with count 1 is within the area (ʌR2) of a circle with a radius
of R, and the area ratio is the same, the number of standing trees N with the basal area of di and
the AGB per unit area (Vi), are also calculated with the same equation.
If AGB per unit area (AGBh_i), calculated for each standing tree counted is summed, AGB per
unit area for the survey point (AGBh) can be obtained:
AGBh = ȈAGBh_i
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References
Chave -, Rpjou-Mpchain M, B~rquez A, Chidumayo E, Colgan MS, Delitti WBC, Duque A, Eid T,
Fearnside PM, Goodman RC, Henry M, Marttnez-Yrtzar A, Mugasha WA, Muller-Landau HC,
Mencuccini M, Nelson BW, Ngomanda A, Nogueira EM, Ortiz-Malavassi E, Pplissier R, Ploton
P, Ryan CM, Saldarriaga JG, Vieilledent G (2014) Improved allometric models to estimate the
aboveground biomass of tropical trees. Global Change Biology 20: 3177-3190.
Sato T, Miyamoto K (2016) REDD-plus Cookbook Annex. Research Manual Vol. 1 Ground-
Based Inventory. REDD Research and Development Center, Forestry and Forest Products
Research Institute Japan, 23pp.