In forest environments wildfire and harvesting activities are the primary mechanisms for the removal of trees. Following these disturbances, the lifecycle of trees can resume naturally or via planting activities. The mapping of forest disturbances is increasingly common, with the quantification of the return of forests, or forest recovery, receiving less attention. In the same fashion that satellite data can be used to capture disturbances based upon temporal changes visible in the imagery, forest recovery can be monitored. However, given the punctual nature of forest removal and the longer time period required to observe the return of forests, different approaches are required. Here we show that analysis of time series satellite data can be used to relate forest recovery and that the spectral changes evident in the imagery can be corroborated using field plots, airborne laser data, or spatial patterns indicative of pre-disturbance conditions.

Following the colloquium, the NRES graduate students will presenting their posters in the Teaching and Learning Building Atrium.

The Natural Resources & Environmental Studies Institute (NRESi) at UNBC hosts a weekly lecture series at the Prince George campus. Anyone from the university or wider community with interest in the topic area is welcome to attend. Presentations are also made available to remote participants through Livestream (Channel 1). Go to http://www.unbc.ca/nres-institute/colloquium-webcasts to view the presentation remotely.

Past NRESi colloquium presentations and special lectures can be viewed on our video archive, available here.