WALL-TO-WALL MAPPING OF FOREST EXTENT AND CHANGE IN TASMANIA USING ALOS PALSAR DATA

Consistent estimation of carbon stocks at national level requires the integration of wall-to-wall, time-series satellite and in situ data of forest area, type and change. In this paper we demonstrate a consistent approach to the generation of wall-to-wall time-series mosaics using ALOS PALSAR data acquired over 2007 to 2009 for Tasmania, Australia. The project is part of a series of National Demonstrators initiated by the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Forest Carbon Tracking (FCT) task that emphasize the contribution and operational use of satellite measurements for forest monitoring and national carbon accounting. Interoperability between optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) derived forest measurements will also be demonstrated. The project will deliver a series of forest monitoring products and technical documentation, which will be made available as a guide to GEO member countries with a desire to develop their own national carbon accounting systems.