Conservation Applications of LiDAR

2012 Training for GIS and CAD Users

The University of Minnesota Water Resources Center is coordinating development of six training modules on conservation applications of LiDAR. Each module will be taught as a half- or full-day workshop at several locations around Minnesota. Workshop developers and instructors are experts from the University of Minnesota, MN Department of Natural Resources, MN Board of Water and Soil Resources, and US Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Audience and Prerequisites

The workshops are designed for GIS and CAD users who address natural resource issues. The target audience works for Watershed Districts, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, counties, cities, not-for-profit organizations, private firms, and state and federal agencies.

Before attending any of the workshops, participants must have an intermediate skill level with ArcGIS application, including and not limited to importing and managing files and layers, processing geographic data, and a general understanding of raster data processing and management. Contact the coordinator if you are unsure if you have the background to take these courses.

The “Basics” module is required before taking any of the other modules. The “Hydrology” module is required before taking the “Wetland Mapping” module, and recommended before the “Terrain Analysis” module.

Workshop Topics

101 Basics of Using LiDAR Data (Prerequisite: Intermediate skill with ArcGIS)

• Module developed by: Joel Nelson, UM Dept of Soil Water and Climate
• How data is collected
• Data properties, coordinate systems, accuracy
  
• Identifying and managing errors
  
• Where and how to get data
  
• File management, file formats, data types
  
• Software platforms
  
• How to display data
  
• Contour

201Terrain analysis (Prerequisite: Basics of Using LiDAR Data)

• Module developed by: Joel Nelson (UM Dept of Soil Water and Climate)
  
• Calculating and interpreting terrain attributes (e.g.: hillshade, slope, slope shape, aspect, flow accumulation), and integrating ancillary data.

202 Hydrologic applications (Prerequisite: Basics of Using LiDAR Data)

• Module developed by: Joel Nelson (UM Dept of Soil Water and Climate), Sean Vaughn (MN DNR), Pete Cooper (USDA-NRCS), Peter Mead (USDA-NRCS)
  
• Hydrologic conditioning (culverts), floodplain mapping, watershed delineation, delineating inundation areas, depression analysis.

203 Engineering applications (Prerequisite: Basics of Using LiDAR Data)

• Module developed by: Ann Johnson (UM Dept of Civil Engineering), Lea Holter (USDA-NRCS), Karen Bonde (BWSR)
• Using LiDAR data in AutoCAD, AutoDesk, and Civil 3D. Linking LiDAR and survey data, siting conservation structures, pre-design, stream profiles.

204 Forestry and ecological applications (Prerequisite: Basics of Using LiDAR Data)

• Module developed by: Paul Bolstad and Andrew Jenks (UM Dept. of Forest Resources)
  
• Woody vegetation estimates, woody biomass estimates, mapping of species and functional groups by landform, estimating productivity, estimating structural elements (height, density, type, leaf area).

301 Wetland mapping (Prerequisites: Basics of Using LiDAR Data and Hydrologic Applications)

• Module developed by: Joe Knight (UM Dept. of Forest Resources)
  
• Mapping wetlands using LiDAR-derived topographical information. Terrain indices will be computed from Digital Elevation Modules, showing how water flows and ponds on the landscape, which indicates where conditions may be sufficient to allow for wetland formation. Methods to discriminate topographically wet non-wetlands from actual wetlands will be introduced.

Schedule and Registration:
Click here for the latest workshop schedule and a link for the printable registration form

Funding and Proposal

This project is funded by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, LCCMR). The full project proposal is available at http://www.lccmr.leg.mn/all_projects/2011_projects/proposals/_03n_proposal.pdf

Further information

Ann Lewandowski, Project Coordinator, alewand@umn.edu, 612-624-6765
Les Everett, Project Manager, evere003@umn.edu, 612-625-6751

Links and Resources

The purpose of this website is to acquire and display links to information about natural resource conservation applications of LiDAR.

LiDAR, Light Detection and Ranging, is the application of laser reflectance to measure distance to an object or surface. In Minnesota, LiDAR equipment mounted on aircraft is being used to provide high resolution digital elevation data for the entire state, with completion expected in 2012. Project status can be found at MnGeo, the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office: http://www.mngeo.state.mn.us/chouse/elevation/lidar.html

LiDAR data, including derivatives like contour maps, digital elevation models, hillshade projections and others are assisting with a wide range of natural resource conservation applications. New applications are in development as more states obtain LiDAR data. This web site provides links to information about specific applications. We invite those with information about additional conservation applications to email descriptions and links to: Les Everett, University of Minnesota Water Resources Center, evere003@umn.edu

Resources

LiDAR conference >>
Conservation Applications of LiDAR, a Conference, Rochester, MN June 2009. Agenda and Powerpoint presentations. Includes applications in terrain analysis, conservation practice design, drainage system redesign, soil survey, engineering with CADD, and critical area identification.

LiDAR Applications Workshops >>
North Dakota, February & March 2010. Agenda and Powerpoint presentations. Includes applications in watershed delineation, precision agriculture, engineering, conservation practice planning, terrain analysis, and soil survey.

Training videos >>
Training videos for Terrain Analysis, Department of Soil, Water and Climate, University of Minnesota.

Contacts: Conservation Applications of LiDAR (.pdf)

Links

Using Selective Drainage Methods to Extract Continuous Surface Flow from 1-meter Lidar-Derived Digital Elevation Data. http://remotesensinghydrology.org/OnlineAgenda_details.cfm?abid=259
Abstract of a paper presented at Remote Sensing and Hydrology 2010 Symposium, Jackson Hole, WY

Sensitivity of Modeled Watershed Attributes and Hydrological Outputs to DEM Spatial Resolution. http://remotesensinghydrology.org/OnlineAgenda_details.cfm?abid=192
Abstract of a paper presented at Remote Sensing and Hydrology 2010 Symposium, Jackson Hole, WY

Conservation Practice Planning Using LiDAR Data. Software from Agren: http://www.agren-inc.com/conservation.php

Staking Terraces Online: A Terrace Layout Program. Poster 56 at annual conference of the Soil and Water Conservation Society, 2010. http://www.swcs.org/documents/ filelibrary/10ac/Conservation_Innovation_Grants_Show_4E0F581DBF4DD.pdf

Locating Potential Sites for Nutrient Interception Practices in a Tile-Drained Watershed Using Lidar Data. Mark Tomer¹, David James¹, Jared Bean¹, Brian Gelder² and Thomas Moorman¹, (1)USDA-ARS National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment, Ames, IA, (2)Iowa State University, Ames, IA. American Society of Agronomy Annual Meetings, November 2010. Abstract: http://a-c-s.confex.com/crops/2010am/webprogram/Paper58874.html

Terrain Control on Soil Organic Carbon Distribution in Loess Soils with Varying Land Cover, Poster presented at the 2010 annual fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union
Brent Dalzell, Cinzia Fissore, Ed Nater, Kyungsoo Yoo (UMN dept. of Soil, Water, and Climate)

Variable Width Filter Strips Designed with Terrain Analysis. Thomas Mueller, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY and Michael Dosskey, USDA Forest Service, Lincoln, NE
http://a-c-s.confex.com/crops/2010am/webprogram/Paper61638.html

Modeling Conservation Practices with RUSLE2. Seth Dabney¹, Daniel Yoder² and Dalmo A. N. Vieira¹, (1) P.O. Box 1157, USDA-ARS, Oxford, MS (2) University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
Abstract: http://a-c-s.confex.com/crops/2010am/webprogram/Paper60267.html

Effects of DEM resolution and source on soil erosion modelling: a case study using the WEPP model. Xinxin Zhang, Jane¹ xzhang2@fsc.edu, Kang-Tsung Chang^{2 and} Qiong Wu, Joan³.
Abstract: http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?hid=112&sid=fa902bcd-d4ea-4f41-b35c-41cf45c227f1%40sessionmgr104&vid=1&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=33140962

Estimating water erosion and sediment yield using GIS, RULSE, and SEDD. C. Fernandez, J.Q. Wu, D.K. McCool, and C.O. Stockle.
Abstract and Full Text (.pdf)

Gully erosion modelling and landscape response in the Mbuluzi River catchment of Swaziland. Aleksey Sidorchuka, Michael Märker, Sandro Morettic and Giuliano Rodolfid.
Abstract and Full Text (.pdf)

Comparison of gully erosion estimates using airborne and ground-based LiDAR on Santa Cruz Island, California. Perroy, Ryan L. Bookhagen, Bodo. Asner, Gregory. Chadwick, Oliver.
Abstract (.pdf)

Effects of DEM Source and Resolution on WEPP Hydrologic and Erosion Simulation: A Case Study of Two Forest Watersheds in Northern Idaho. Zhang, J. Wu, J.Q. Chang, K. Elliot, W. J. Dun, S.
Abstract (.pdf)

Topographic modelling of soil moisture conditions: a comparison and verification of two models. Murphy, P.N.C., Ogilvie, J. and Arp, P. Abstract (.pdf)

Factors controlling the spatial distribution of soil piping erosion on loess-derived soils: A case study from central Belgium. Verachtert, E. Van Den Eeckhaut, M. Poesen, J. Deckers, J. Abstract and full text (.pdf)