Identification of Abandoned Logging Roads in Point Reyes National Seashore

Abstract

Using object based image processing, abandoned logging roads will be identified and mapped under heavy forest canopy. High resolution Q1 LiDAR point clouds from 2019 will be used to create a bare earth model of the region from which a slope model will be derived. This slope model will be run through segmentation algorithms to identify and isolate regions of differing slope. Other sources of data will be explored and potentially used to refine this model, including but not limited to: elevation models, LiDAR intensity data, canopy structure, canopy closure, canopy height, and aerial photos. An accuracy assessment will be executed using either historic aerial photos taken after the logging of the region in the 1960s, or other methods to be determined. A vector file of all roads identified in this project will be provided to the Point Reyes National Seashore to guide remediation efforts in the future.