Integrating national forest inventory, airborne lidar, and satellite imagery for wall-to-wall mapping of forest structure with computer vision
Researchers have developed the VibrantForests framework, a computer vision model designed to map forest structure across the contiguous United States at a 10-meter resolution. This model integrates national forest inventory data, airborne lidar, and satellite imagery to provide annual estimates of canopy cover, height, biomass, and tree diameter. The framework aims to overcome limitations in existing remote sensing models by extending predictive capability into areas where saturation commonly occurs and reducing estimation biases in sparse or dense forest conditions, thereby supporting more effective forest and wildfire management. AI
IMPACT Provides a more accurate and detailed foundation for forest and wildfire management planning.