GVII-36
PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING
RESEARCH LOOKS AHEAD
Investigations were proposed to study the problems of photo interpretation.
It has been suggested that better organized research will result if guided by a
problem analysis and work plans. Such an analysis covers those factors that
govern quality of photo images, discusses characteristics of the photo inter
preters’ equipment, and reviews techniques employed by the photo interpreters.
Ability of photo interpreters is emphasized as a major problem in photo inter
pretation. More careful research has developed. Investigators have examined
factors such as tree heights, crown diameters, density, volume estimates, species
identification, soil classification and volume tables.
EDUCATION IS STRESSED
The need for education is evidenced by the mail) - short courses in photo
interpretation techniques. Such are designed for the practicing men in profes
sional fields of forestry and agriculture. Also more thought and training are
being incorporated in college courses. Forestry training in photo interpretation
and photogrammetry is being expanded at rapid rates; this is a great help to
the field foresters.
PROJECTS
A number of projects, underway in the fields of forestry and land use, are
believed worthy of description in some detail. The remaining paragraphs in this
section summarize some of these projects. See Figure 4.
Forest Survey projects are many: Sweden divides forests into treatment units
Fig. 4. This precise photo of California forests is taken with a nearly distortion free, 211 mm.
Toparlensat l/500th second and scale of 1:2,400 representative fraction. The fifth acre sample
plot—on the original photo and prior to reduction—is typical of the photo plot scheme used in forest
surveys. Tree heights, crown diameters and crown density are measured in this plot; forest type,
species of trees are interpreted by the shape of crown, tone of crown, patterns formed and shadows.
This information reduces ground plot work and increases efficiency of forest surveys.
