Using 3-D Landscape Visualization to Simulate Forest Management Impacts David J. Buckley Pacific Meridian Resources Joseph K. Berry Berry & Associates

Using 3-D Landscape Using 3-D Landscape Visualization to Simulate Visualization to Simulate

Forest Management ImpactsForest Management Impacts

David J. BuckleyDavid J. BuckleyPacific Meridian Pacific Meridian

ResourcesResources

Joseph K. BerryJoseph K. BerryBerry & AssociatesBerry & Associates

Craig UlbrightCraig UlbrightSoftware DeveloperSoftware Developer

Landscape Structure Landscape Structure Analysis/VisualizationAnalysis/Visualization

To find out more To find out more about Landscape about Landscape Structure Structure Analysis and Analysis and Visualization, Visualization, visit our Web visit our Web SiteSite..

You will find a You will find a wide array of wide array of information information ranging from ranging from papers and papers and presentations to presentations to project overviews project overviews and case studies.and case studies.

Web Site: Web Site:

www.innovativegis.comwww.innovativegis.com

(Berry)(Berry)

• Integration of existing technologiesIntegration of existing technologies Commercial GISCommercial GIS software softwarehas limited capabilities for has limited capabilities for realistic 3-D visualizationrealistic 3-D visualization Scientific visualizationScientific visualization software is readily available butsoftware is readily available butat individual plot/stand level onlyat individual plot/stand level only Virtual realityVirtual reality techniques are techniques areincreasingly used in computer gamesincreasingly used in computer gamesand film making.and film making.

• Non-traditional GIS techniquesNon-traditional GIS techniques 3-D object rendering (trees, soil, buildings)3-D object rendering (trees, soil, buildings) Map animation (2-D and 3-D)Map animation (2-D and 3-D) Linking video/photos to mapsLinking video/photos to maps

3-D Object Rendering (USFS SVS, 6/97)3-D Object Rendering (USFS SVS, 6/97)

(Berry)(Berry)

Landscape VisualizationLandscape Visualization (3-D (3-D

Rendering)Rendering)

““Multimedia GIS”Multimedia GIS”

3-D Visualization Approaches3-D Visualization ApproachesImage DrapingImage Draping ---- is is an established technique in an established technique in GIS. Draping a topographic GIS. Draping a topographic or thematic map onto a 3-D or thematic map onto a 3-D terrain surface is effective but terrain surface is effective but relies on abstract colors, relies on abstract colors, shading and symbols. Draping shading and symbols. Draping a satellite image, such as a a satellite image, such as a digital orthophoto, results in digital orthophoto, results in good surface texture and can good surface texture and can produce visualizations suitable produce visualizations suitable for depicting landscape-scale for depicting landscape-scale vegetation patterns. However, vegetation patterns. However, the 3-D nature of landscape the 3-D nature of landscape objects are not depicted and objects are not depicted and severe “pixelization” occurs in severe “pixelization” occurs in the foreground.the foreground.

3-D Analyst (ESRI, 9/98)3-D Analyst (ESRI, 9/98)

SportsTracker (MapTrek, 9/98)SportsTracker (MapTrek, 9/98)

10m SPOT using ArcTIN (ESRI, 6/95)10m SPOT using ArcTIN (ESRI, 6/95)(Berry)(Berry)

Video ImagingVideo Imaging ---- is a computer technique that "cuts-and-pastes” is a computer technique that "cuts-and-pastes”digital photographic images to represent changes on the landscape. Thisdigital photographic images to represent changes on the landscape. Thisapproach produces high quality visualization output, but it is very manually approach produces high quality visualization output, but it is very manually intensive, contains no direct geo-referencing to a GIS database and often intensive, contains no direct geo-referencing to a GIS database and often suffers from the artistic/subjective nature of the creation process.suffers from the artistic/subjective nature of the creation process.

Left image is an actual photo of western spruce budworm damage in the Deschutes NF, Oregon. Right image depicts what the Left image is an actual photo of western spruce budworm damage in the Deschutes NF, Oregon. Right image depicts what the same place might look like 5 years after the dead/damaged trees are removed. The diseased trees are “manually” erased from the same place might look like 5 years after the dead/damaged trees are removed. The diseased trees are “manually” erased from the scene and background trees and shrubs are inserted “pasted” in their place. scene and background trees and shrubs are inserted “pasted” in their place.

(Imaging Systems Lab, Brian Orland, Director, University of Illinois, Dept. of Landscape Architecture)

(Berry)(Berry)

3-D Visualization Approaches 3-D Visualization Approaches (continued)(continued)

(Berry)(Berry)

Geometric Video ImagingGeometric Video Imaging -- -- combines video-imaging techniques combines video-imaging techniques with geometric registration, typically undertaken within a GIS. It's rarely used with geometric registration, typically undertaken within a GIS. It's rarely used on a production basis, due to the difficulty in accurately geo-referencing the on a production basis, due to the difficulty in accurately geo-referencing the photographic video image with the 3-D perspective framework (wire-frames) photographic video image with the 3-D perspective framework (wire-frames) generated by the GIS system.generated by the GIS system.

Geometric ModelingGeometric Modeling ---- builds a 3-D geometric builds a 3-D geometric representation of individual representation of individual landscape features, such as trees, landscape features, such as trees, represented as geometric objects represented as geometric objects (simple cones or complex tree (simple cones or complex tree shapes). The individual objects are shapes). The individual objects are assembled to create a forest stand assembled to create a forest stand or landscape view depicting the or landscape view depicting the perspective from a given viewpoint. perspective from a given viewpoint. 3-D Rendering3-D Rendering utilizes GIS utilizes GIS inventories of tree types and inventories of tree types and densities. densities.

SmartForest (Orland, 9/98)SmartForest (Orland, 9/98)

Virtual Forest (Innovative Gis, 9/98)Virtual Forest (Innovative Gis, 9/98)

““Virtual Reality”Virtual Reality”

3-D Visualization Approaches 3-D Visualization Approaches (continued)(continued)

3-D trees with several sun angles are 3-D trees with several sun angles are created and stored as bit mapped images for created and stored as bit mapped images for polygon rendering polygon rendering

……3-D object design 3-D object design (trees)(trees)

TheThe Tree DesignerTree Designer is used to build custom 3-D is used to build custom 3-D tree symbols that represent tree symbols that represent forest components, such as forest components, such as different species, multi-age different species, multi-age trees, seasonal effects, shrubs, trees, seasonal effects, shrubs, and snagsand snags

3-D Rendering: Tree Design3-D Rendering: Tree Design

(Berry)(Berry)

Landscape VisualizationLandscape Visualization (Rendering Technique)(Rendering Technique)

Step 1) 3-D Terrain Step 1) 3-D Terrain SurfaceSurface

Step 2) Polygon Step 2) Polygon ContainersContainers

Step 3) Surface Step 3) Surface TextureTexture

““Laying the Carpet”Laying the Carpet”

Step 4) Tree Step 4) Tree ObjectsObjects

Step 5) Final Step 5) Final CompositionComposition

Step 6) Step 6) Atmospheric Atmospheric EffectsEffects

““Pouring the Trees”Pouring the Trees” (Berry)(Berry)

Tree Symbol%Maturity#Trees

Landscape VisualizationLandscape Visualization (Rendering Technique)(Rendering Technique)

GIS dBGIS dBRendered SceneRendered Scene

(Berry)(Berry)

Landscape VisualizationLandscape Visualization (GIS (GIS




(Berry)(Berry)

(Berry)(Berry)



SummerSummer

WinterWinterAfter SnowfallAfter Snowfall

Before FireBefore Fire After FireAfter Fire

Visualizing Forest ConditionsVisualizing Forest Conditions

……changing changing the the

landscape’s landscape’s carpetcarpet and and

objectsobjects

(Berry)(Berry)

……with classified forest with classified forest polygonspolygons

Darker boundary lines Darker boundary lines identify forest parcels identify forest parcels used for 3-D rendered used for 3-D rendered scenesscenes

SpeciesSpecies StockingStocking Height/ageHeight/age Ground CoverGround Cover

(Berry)(Berry)

Landscape VisualizationLandscape Visualization (Case (Case

Study 1)Study 1)

This is a general image of the watershed surrounding the primary lake showing This is a general image of the watershed surrounding the primary lake showing harvest blocks. harvest blocks. Texture MappingTexture Mapping is used to provide a realistic sky and lake is used to provide a realistic sky and lake surface as well as underlying colors for the blocks. Note the different species in surface as well as underlying colors for the blocks. Note the different species in the foreground stands (bottom left). This represents a the foreground stands (bottom left). This represents a multi-species standmulti-species stand. .

ObserverObserver

TargetTarget

(Berry)(Berry)


Study 1)Study 1)

This view provides a This view provides a ridge viewpointridge viewpoint overlooking the lake and adjoining overlooking the lake and adjoining harvest harvest blocksblocks. Note that there is little distinction in density of trees for the non-. Note that there is little distinction in density of trees for the non-productive stands that cap the ridge areas compared to stands classified as productive stands that cap the ridge areas compared to stands classified as productive on the hillsides. A rock slide also appears in this view in the lower productive on the hillsides. A rock slide also appears in this view in the lower right.right.

ObserverObserver

TargetTarget

(Berry)(Berry)


Study 1)Study 1)

Trees have been reduced by 50% and re-planted for the non-productive stands Trees have been reduced by 50% and re-planted for the non-productive stands that cap the ridges. Different textures have also been applied to the non-that cap the ridges. Different textures have also been applied to the non-productive stands and the harvest blocks to aid in their distinction. Note the productive stands and the harvest blocks to aid in their distinction. Note the different underlying colors for the blocks in the valley at the end of the lake different underlying colors for the blocks in the valley at the end of the lake and the non-productive, less dense stands on the higher elevations.and the non-productive, less dense stands on the higher elevations.

ObserverObserver

TargetTarget

(Berry)(Berry)


Study 1)Study 1)

This image presents a 'boat' viewpoint from the middle of the lake. The This image presents a 'boat' viewpoint from the middle of the lake. The viewpoint is directly above the primary lake looking down the valley towards the viewpoint is directly above the primary lake looking down the valley towards the harvest blocks. harvest blocks.

ObserverObserver

TargetTarget

(Berry)(Berry)


Study 1)Study 1)

This image illustrates how fog and haze can be used to add more realism to a This image illustrates how fog and haze can be used to add more realism to a forested visualization. Note the enhancement of the ridge in the foreground on forested visualization. Note the enhancement of the ridge in the foreground on the right side of the image.the right side of the image.

ObserverObserver

TargetTarget

(Berry)(Berry)


Study 1)Study 1)

Virtual Fly-ByVirtual Fly-By

(Berry)(Berry)

Animation provides an added dimension to 3-D visualization…Animation provides an added dimension to 3-D visualization…

movement in movement in spacespace and and timetime

……rapidly sequencing a rapidly sequencing a series of 3-D renderings series of 3-D renderings creates a sense of creates a sense of movementmovement

““Fly-By”Fly-By”

Rendering “Fidelity”Rendering “Fidelity”

(Berry)(Berry)

Data RichnessData Richness determines the “fidelity” determines the “fidelity” of a landscape rendering.of a landscape rendering.

Ground cover and tree Ground cover and tree objects are assigned to objects are assigned to polygons based on inferred polygons based on inferred forest conditions (forest conditions (limited limited data richnessdata richness)…)…

through detailed forest through detailed forest inventories (inventories (robust data robust data richnessrichness))

UPSHOT!!!UPSHOT!!! …3-D rendering introduces a new element to “map accuracy” …3-D rendering introduces a new element to “map accuracy”1) 1) Spatial AccuracySpatial Accuracy (positional), 2) (positional), 2) Thematic AccuracyThematic Accuracy (classification) (classification)

and 3) and 3) Rendering FidelityRendering Fidelity (cartographic) (cartographic)

3-D Rendering Summary3-D Rendering Summary

TheThe striking realismstriking realism of the rendered visualizations enhance of the rendered visualizations enhance communication of management plans in a more effective form.communication of management plans in a more effective form.

Future developments willFuture developments will extend these capabilitiesextend these capabilities to a fully integrated view allowing interactive query of the 3-D rendered to a fully integrated view allowing interactive query of the 3-D rendered scene... Point-and-Click for text/data summariesscene... Point-and-Click for text/data summaries

(Berry)(Berry)

The integration of GIS and The integration of GIS and visualization technologies provides visualization technologies provides

anan operational operational platformplatform for natural for natural resource professionals and general resource professionals and general public to consider the aesthetic public to consider the aesthetic impacts of landscape alternatives. impacts of landscape alternatives.

““point and click” data retrieval point and click” data retrieval


Study 2)Study 2)

(Berry)(Berry)

Analysis of topographic information, provincial forest inventory and Landsat Analysis of topographic information, provincial forest inventory and Landsat imagery of the Redfish Creek watershed near Nelson, BC, was used to derive imagery of the Redfish Creek watershed near Nelson, BC, was used to derive landscape characteristics.landscape characteristics.

Band 3Band 3

Band 4Band 4

Band 5Band 5


Study 2)Study 2)

(Berry)(Berry)

Most Similar Neighbor analysis using canonical correlation was applied to find Most Similar Neighbor analysis using canonical correlation was applied to find the best correspondence between the intensively inventoried subset of the the best correspondence between the intensively inventoried subset of the landscape, about 20-25% of stands, and a less intensively sampled classified landscape, about 20-25% of stands, and a less intensively sampled classified remotely sensed image…remotely sensed image…

……the classified the classified map was map was combined with the combined with the DEM and an older DEM and an older Aerial photo Aerial photo interpreted derived interpreted derived inventory, to inventory, to generate an generate an updated inventoryupdated inventory (1999) for each (1999) for each forest stand. forest stand.

(ESSA Technologies, Vancouver, BC)(ESSA Technologies, Vancouver, BC)


Study 2)Study 2)

(Berry)(Berry)

Study area landscape with draped texture map, hydrography is in blue, roads in Study area landscape with draped texture map, hydrography is in blue, roads in brown and primary forest stands in gold (3,699 polygons). Key viewpoint brown and primary forest stands in gold (3,699 polygons). Key viewpoint locations and orientation are identified.locations and orientation are identified.

(Pacific Meridian Resources, Fort Collins, CO)(Pacific Meridian Resources, Fort Collins, CO)


Study 2)Study 2)

(Berry)(Berry)

ViewpointViewpoint 2 2Initial Initial

Conditions Conditions 19991999

Unmanaged Unmanaged 20492049

Patch-Cutting Patch-Cutting 20492049

Balanced Regime 2049Balanced Regime 2049

Initial Initial Conditions Conditions

19991999

Unmanaged Unmanaged 20492049

Patch-Cutting Patch-Cutting 20492049

Balanced Regime 2049Balanced Regime 2049

ViewpointViewpoint 3 3

The new inventory was then modeled using the Prognosis Model… The new inventory was then modeled using the Prognosis Model… growing trees, predicting mortality, establishing regeneration, growing trees, predicting mortality, establishing regeneration,

predicting non-tree vegetation development, performing predicting non-tree vegetation development, performing management activities, and calculating tree volumesmanagement activities, and calculating tree volumes

to simulate the landscape for 50 years under different management regimes.to simulate the landscape for 50 years under different management regimes.

Viewpoint 3 , Initial Viewpoint 3 , Initial Conditions 1999Conditions 1999

(Berry)(Berry)

(Berry)(Berry)

Viewpoint 3 , Unmanaged Viewpoint 3 , Unmanaged 20492049

(Berry)(Berry)

Viewpoint 3 , Patch-Cutting Viewpoint 3 , Patch-Cutting 20492049

(Berry)(Berry)

Viewpoint 3 – Balanced Viewpoint 3 – Balanced Regime 2049Regime 2049

Using Advanced 3-D Visualization Using Advanced 3-D Visualization Techniques to Assess Historical Techniques to Assess Historical

Forested LandscapesForested Landscapes

GIS Applications in Forestry and GIS Applications in Forestry and Resource ManagementResource Management

Example Project

Landscape Landscape Visualization SummaryVisualization Summary

(Berry)(Berry)

GIS technology provides a new environment for more effectively GIS technology provides a new environment for more effectively communicating landscape characteristics and conditions--communicating landscape characteristics and conditions--

moves maps beyond “moves maps beyond “abstraction to realismabstraction to realism.” .”

3-D Rendering 3-D Rendering enables users to visualize enables users to visualize

forest inventory data and simulate...forest inventory data and simulate...

““what could be.what could be.””

Video MappingVideo Mapping enables capture data and enables capture data and images within its actual spatial context...images within its actual spatial context...

““what is.what is.””

Landscape VisualizationLandscape Visualization (Video (Video

Mapping)Mapping)

(Berry)(Berry)

Multimedia GISMultimedia GIS can be used to document can be used to document actual conditions.actual conditions.

Video Mapping geo-Video Mapping geo-registers…registers…

Streaming VideoStreaming Video Still ImagesStill Images AudioAudio TextText DataData

……of existing landscape of existing landscape characteristicscharacteristics

High Rendering FidelityHigh Rendering Fidelity

Documenting “real-world” conditionsDocumenting “real-world” conditions

Landscape VisualizationLandscape Visualization (Video (Video

Mapping)Mapping)

(Berry)(Berry)

GPS coordinatesGPS coordinates are are “stamped” directly on the “stamped” directly on the video tape every second…video tape every second…

……a database linking the a database linking the GPS coordinates and tape GPS coordinates and tape positionposition is automatically is automatically generated and used to generated and used to construct a map of construct a map of imagery locations.imagery locations.

ImageImagery ry organiorganized by zed by When When and and WhereWhere

VMS200 by Red VMS200 by Red Hen SystemsHen Systems

Going Beyond Landscape Going Beyond Landscape VisualizationVisualization

(Berry)(Berry)

Landscape Structure AnalysisLandscape Structure Analysis provides provides information on the patterns and arrangements information on the patterns and arrangements of landscape features… of landscape features…

““puzzle pieces.puzzle pieces.””

GIS Modeling GIS Modeling provides a wealth of provides a wealth of analytical tools that characterize spatial analytical tools that characterize spatial

relationships...relationships...

““spatial interaction and spatial interaction and context.context.””

Unabashed Plug for Map-ematicsUnabashed Plug for Map-ematics

Surface Modeling Spatial Analysis Surface Modeling Spatial Analysis GeoStatisticsGeoStatistics

Documents

Using 3-D Landscape Visualization to Simulate Forest Management Impacts David J. Buckley Pacific Meridian Resources Joseph K. Berry Berry & Associates