Airborne remote sensing of forest biomes

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Abstract
Sensors mounted on aircraft platforms provide scientists with a versatile alternative to spacebome satellite systems. Remotely sensed data acquired from aircraft can be used as a primary source of information or as supplemental data to support more extensive resource surveys, amenable to satellite technology. Examples of research in forest biomes utilizing a variety of airborne sensors including synthetic aperture radar, laser profiler, thermal infrared multispectral scanner, and thematic mapper simulator are presented and discussed. Each sensor offers a unique capability to measure or estimate forest canopy parameters, which may have potential value in forest monitoring programs. The forest biomes represented in these investigations are northern coniferous (Oregon‐USA), warm temperate deciduous (Mississippi‐USA), and tropical rain (Costa Rica and Puerto Rico).