Laser Profiler Results

Airborne Laser Altimeter Results

The airborne laser altimeter has been flown on numerous occasions in locations such as:

Weslaco,TX - 1989 and 1990, system installation and testing
Mt. Airy, MD - 1990, topograpy comparison of laser data with ground survey
Walnut Gulch Watershed, AZ - 1991, participating in MONSOON experiment
Oxford, MS - 1992, gully detection and forest canopy experiments
Chickasha, OK - 1992, gully detection and vegetation height experiments
Niger, Africa - 1992, participating in HAPEX SAHEL experiment
Kennedy Space Center, FL - 1994 Vegetation analyses
Boise, ID - 1993 Watershed and Vegetation Analyses
Jornada, NM - 1995,1996 Vegetation Measurements for climate change

Results of experiments using the airborne laser altimeter:

Laser altimeter measurements of a forest canopy Laser altimeter measurements of a forest canopy on the landscape. If the topography is removed then the heights of the forest can be measures. Such data can be used to estimate infiltration, evapotranspiration, vegetation biomass, erosion, and other properties that will improve our understanding of the effect of these factors on natural and agricultural landscapes
Laser measurement of a small gully Laser measurement of a small gully on the Little Washita Watershed near Chickasha, Oklahoma shown using an 11-measurement moving average. Insert lower right shows the actual laser data before using the 11-measurement moving average. Insert lower left shows the cross sectional area of the gully.
Laser measurement of topography at Mt. Airy, Maryland Combining the laser profile data with precise GPS data and comparing with ground survey data shows that topography (the ground surface) can be determined. The laser profile data can be used to determine vegetation height and density.
Stream channel cross section Stream and flood plain cross-section measured with laser altimeter data. Data on channel, gully, and flood plain size, roughness, and degradation will help to calculate flows and in design and development of physical structures to control flow.

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	Laser altimeter measurements of a forest canopy on the landscape. If the topography is removed then the heights of the forest can be measures. Such data can be used to estimate infiltration, evapotranspiration, vegetation biomass, erosion, and other properties that will improve our understanding of the effect of these factors on natural and agricultural landscapes
	Laser measurement of a small gully on the Little Washita Watershed near Chickasha, Oklahoma shown using an 11-measurement moving average. Insert lower right shows the actual laser data before using the 11-measurement moving average. Insert lower left shows the cross sectional area of the gully.
	Combining the laser profile data with precise GPS data and comparing with ground survey data shows that topography (the ground surface) can be determined. The laser profile data can be used to determine vegetation height and density.
	Stream and flood plain cross-section measured with laser altimeter data. Data on channel, gully, and flood plain size, roughness, and degradation will help to calculate flows and in design and development of physical structures to control flow.