Seminar

CANADIAN REMOTE SENSING SOCIETY (CRSS-SCT)-TORONTO CHAPTER
Dr. Derek R. Peddle
University of Lethbridge

Advances in Forest Biophysical and Structural Inversion using Adaptive and Full Blind Canopy
Reflectance Modeling: Applications to Forest Disturbance Detection and Monitoring

Abstract: Regional scale forest biophysical and structural information is required for a variety of natural resource monitoring, disturbance, detection and management purposes. A new approach for using canopy reflectance models (CRMs) is presented that requires no field data or any prior knowledge about the image(s) used, or of the study area. The fully unconstrained Multiple Forward- Mode Adaptive Full-Blind (MFM-AFB) method provides forest biophysical structural information (BSI) and can be used for classification, biomass estimation and spectral mixture analysis at sub-pixel scales – without needing training data, endmember spectra, or model inputs. MFM-AFB is suitable for local, regional, multi-temporal and unknown imagery and areas obtained from any type of optical sensor and platform (e.g. satellite, plane, UAV etc). It may also have applications for reconnaissance and target detection. By eliminating the need for model inputs to infer BSI, MFM-AFB may also help enable more mainstream use of advanced CRMs for image analysis by making them more easy to use. The method will be described and an example application presented using Landsat imagery of forests damaged by a mountain pine beetle (MPB) epidemic in British Columbia (BC) Canada.

Speaker Biography: Dr. Derek R. Peddle is Professor of Geography and Co-Director of the Alberta Terrestrial Imaging Centre (ATIC) at the University of Lethbridge in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. His NSERC-supported research program involves innovation in remote sensing software development with applications in forestry, agriculture, mountain terrain analysis, watersheds, and the north. Born and raised in St. John’s Newfoundland, he holds degrees from the University of Waterloo (Ph.D. Geography / Environmental Studies), University of Calgary (M.Sc. Geography), and Memorial University of Newfoundland (B.Sc. Honours Computer Science/Geography), as well as a NASA Graduate Diploma in Earth System Science (USA). Awards include two International Fulbright Fellowships (Univ. California Santa Barbara USA, and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center / Univ. Maryland, USA), a NASA Visiting Scientist Award, Alberta Centennial Medal, and the 2016 CRSS- SCT National Silver Medal for mid-career excellence in remote sensing. He has been selected for a Faculty Exchange Program in Japan where he will be teaching throughout the Fall 2017 semester. He is a Past-President of the Canadian Remote Sensing Society (CRSS-SCT); an Associate Editor of the Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing; and was General Conference Chair of the 30th Canadian Symposium on Remote Sensing (Lethbridge 2009). He is a proud member of the Canadian Remote Sensing Society / Société canadienne de télédétection, and is Co-Chair of the CRSS-SCT Lethbridge Chapter.

DATE: Friday, May 26th, 2017
TIME: 10:30 am (Refreshments 10:15 am)
LOCATION: Room 105, Life Science Building, York University

Check back regularly to stay up-to-date on upcoming regional events.