Application of Remote Sensing for Large area Estimation

Estimating forest carbon balance by remote sensing

The Center for Global Environmental Research (CGER) uses remote sensing to estimate carbon balance in a forest ecosystem and develop related methodology. Satellite- or air-borne remote sensing techniques are one of the useful tools to scale up the information from a small area, such as that derived from eddy covariance CO2 flux observations. The use of remote sensing is expected to grow and expand as it provides convenient means to monitor forest continuously and non- invasively, replacing the more common labor-intensive investigation methods.

Fuji Phenology

Observation

We monitor solar, photosynthetically active radiation and vegetation indices using remote sensing techniques at the Fujihokuroku and Teshio sites. Also, we aim to develop and improve the observation techniques using automated digital cameras installed on observation towers to ascertain physiological activity changes.

remote sensing system,example of Fujihokuroku

Phenology

Phenology is the scientific study of periodic biological phenomena, such as germination, leaf expansion, flowering, breeding, leaf coloration and leaf fall, in relation to climatic conditions. Recent climate change has notable effects on the timing of phenology, such as change in the timing of leaf expansion and coloration. Plant phenology is an indicator of not only climate change effects, but also associated carbon exchanges and atmospheric CO2 concentrations

Fujihokuroku site

Phenological photographs of Fujihokuroku larch forest (Photos are taken by camera mounted on a 24 m tower directed towards the west of the forest)
Daily observation results: 2007 / 2008 / 2009 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2015 / 2016 / 2017 / 2018 / 2019 / 2020 / 2021 / 2022 / 2023

*Phenological photographs of Fujihokuroku larch forest by fisheye lens camera
*Please visit PEN(Phenological Eyes Network)HP for daily observation results obtained by fisheye lens camera.

Teshio site

*Phenological photographs of Teshio larch and sasa forest (Photos are taken by fisheye lens camera mounted on a 18 m tower)
phenoex

Tomakomai site after 2004

*Recovering vegetation phenology (Photos are taken by camera mounted on a 4 m pole directed towards the northeast)
phenoex
Daily observation results: 2011 / 2012
*Recovering vegetation phenology (Photos are taken by camera mounted on a 12 m pole directed towards the southwest)
phenoex
Daily observation results: 2013 / 2014 / 2015 / 2016 / 2017 / 2018 / 2019 / 2020 / 2021 / 2022 / 2023

Tomakomai site before 2004

*Phenological photographs of Tomakoamai larch forest
phenoex
Daily observation results (site): 2001 / 2002 / 2003 / 2004
Daily observation results (larch forest): 2001 / 2002 / 2003 / 2004