Sample interview questions: Can you discuss the challenges of applying remote sensing in forest inventory and monitoring?
Sample answer:
Challenges in Applying Remote Sensing in Forest Inventory and Monitoring
1. Cloud Cover and Atmospheric Conditions:
Clouds and aerosols can obscure the surface and result in erroneous data interpretation. This is especially challenging in tropical and mountainous regions prone to frequent cloud cover.
2. Species Discrimination:
Remote sensing can accurately estimate forest biophysical parameters, but species classification remains a challenge. Spectral signatures often overlap between different tree species, making identification difficult, especially in mixed forests.
3. Topographic Effects:
Terrain irregularities can cause image distortion and impede accurate measurements of forest parameters such as biomass and height. Steep slopes and shadowing can lead to underestimation or overestimation of forest cover.
4. Calibration and Validation:
Accurate remote sensing data requires calibration and validation against ground-based measurements. Obtaining sufficient and reliable field data can be expensive and time-consuming, especially in remote or inaccessible areas.
5. Temporal Resolution:
The frequency of satellite overpasses may not align with critical monitoring periods, such as during seasonal changes or natural disasters. Inadequate temporal resolution can hinder the detection of changes in f… Read full answer
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