NDSU Offers Light Detection and Ranging Information Seminar

The North Dakota State University Extension Service has scheduled a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) seminar for Nov. 6. The seminar begins at 9 a.m. and concludes at 11:30. The seminar will be held at the NDSU Memorial Union.

The seminar agenda includes explanations of LIDAR technology, its use and the availability of LIDAR data for this region.

LIDAR is a form of remote sensing. LIDAR technology uses laser light beams to determine distance by measuring the length of time it takes a laser beam to travel to an object and then reflect back. It is possible to use this technology to remotely and accurately measure distances and determine the shape and texture of objects. LIDAR technology is used in a variety of ways, such as atmospheric measurements, ground-based surveys, elevation models and vegetative and building surveys and assessments.

“LIDAR data can be used in precision agriculture to develop accurate elevation maps of fields and improve soil survey information,” says John Nowatzki, NDSU Extension Service agricultural machine system specialist.

The International Water Institute is in the process of collecting LIDAR data for the Red River Basin. The digital elevation data will be available to the public at no charge on the U.S. Geological Survey’s Center for LIDAR Information Coordination and Knowledge Web site at http://lidar.cr.usgs.gov/.

The data will have numerous educational research and commercial applications. The dataset will be useful to researchers to enhance the quality and scope of grant proposals. Commercial entities will be able use LIDAR data for planning field drainage, road construction and community development projects. Forestry and wildlife agency personnel will find the data useful for vegetative inventories and analyses. Government agency and community economic development groups will be able to use the LIDAR dataset to inventory and assess vegetative and building assets. Electric power distribution companies will find the data useful to assess tree growth near electric power lines.

Several experts are scheduled to speak at the seminar. Chuck Fritz, International Water Institute director, will discuss the Red River Basin Mapping Project’s funding, data collection timetable and reasons for collecting the data. Karl Heidemann, Center for LIDAR Information Coordination and Knowledge physical scientist, will explain the LIDAR technology, how data is collected, stored and made available to the public.

Suzette R. Burckhard, professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at South Dakota State University, will discuss how she uses LIDAR in her teaching and research. She also has incorporated LIDAR data and remotely sensed imagery and products into GIS- based decision support systems on landslide monitoring.

The seminar is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Nowatzki at (701) 231- 8213 or e-mail john.nowatzki@ndsu.edu.

NDSU Agriculture Communication