Application of CASI remote sensing to classification of backlog not satisfactorily restocked forest in northern British Columbia

A pilot program to detect coniferous stocking and assess classification of backlog not satisfactorily restocked (NSR) areas from areas of satisfactory stocking (SR) was flown with the CASI sensor in April, 1996, in the Dawson Creek, Fort St. John and Fort Nelson areas of northern British Columbia. A reas were flown before leaf-out of the deciduous tree species and brush. Preliminary results showed promise of the CASI as a useful tool for separat ing NSR from SR areas. Seedlings were detected at 80 centimetres and smalle r, where there were no overhead obstructions. As the density of the oversto rey increased, trees had to be larger to be detected. A further semi-operational trial was initiated in the fall of 1996, after l eaf-off. This trial confirmed earlier results that the CASI could be used o perationally for classifying NSR/SR areas. Operational flying of backlog NS R areas commenced in the fall of 1997. While the CASI will give an indication of stocking, there will be areas whe re not all of the trees will be detected. However, it is anticipated that c osts of surveys can be substantially reduced using remote sensing technolog y, in combination with minor ground-truthing by experienced personnel.