TETROFOR - Remote sensing of tropical vegetations

Keywords
LiDAR
THR images
Time series
Drone
Tropical rainforests
Mangroves
Savanas

To characterise the role of natural tropical vegetation as a reservoir of biodiversity and an essential component in the regulation of biogeochemical (water, carbon) and energy cycles on a global scale.

This theme brings together research actions that implement remote sensing tools and ad hoc methodological developments.
Remote sensing approaches are generally based on the use of passive or active signals of high resolution (temporal, spatial or spectral). LiDAR (terrestrial or airborne) plays a predominant role among these tools, thanks to the unique link it establishes between tree architecture and stand organisation, as well as its potential for quantifying carbon acquisition and allocation. Our approaches are also based on (i) mapping of tropical forests at different scales (local, regional) using multi-sensor, multi-temporal and multi-spatial resolution approaches, (ii) canopy modelling (based on archi-FSPM models or 3D digitisation) and (iii) modelling of radiative transfer, both from a functional (photosynthesis, allocation, etc.) and instrumental (sensor sensitivity, cal/val) perspective.

We are involved in research projects, impact studies, development studies, or sensitivity studies, through services for public or private partners. This involves producing vegetation maps or providing field data or compatible population models for radiative transfer modelling. Our main projects are in Central Africa (LMI Dycofac) and in French Guiana (Labex CEBA) but also in New Caledonia, India and Thailand. Access to ground truth data relies on plot networks developed in partnership with local institutions. We regularly mobilise close remote sensing equipment (6 drones, 5 qualified pilots, 3 TLS scanners, 1 UAV-LS scanner, DGNSS systems), a spectroradiometer, canopy climbing equipment and trained climbers. We also have an archive of airborne and/or satellite images in our regions of intervention allowing us to develop analyses of cover dynamics.

AcronymTitleDuration
Carto Veg NHPC Phase 2Suivi de la dynamique du couvert végétal et des compensations du barrage de Nachtigal
Porteur : Nicolas BARBIER 
2022 - 2026
CoForFuncToward a biome-scale monitoring of the COngo basin FORest FUNCtional composition
Porteur : Raphaël PELISSIER 
2024 - 2027
FRANCOCoastal blue carbon ecosystems from space
Porteur : Aurélie DEHOUCK (i-SEA)  
2024 - 2026
NATURAL FORESTORECapture and Storage of Carbon in Natural Tropical Forests
Porteur : Emmanuel PARADIS (ISEM)  
2024 - 2027
NeoFIREUnderstanding and scaling vulnerability of neotropical Amazon and transitional forests to altered fire regimes
Porteur : Imma OLIVERAS (University of Oxford)  
2022 - 2026
NUM-DATAPEPR FORESTT PC5 NUM-DATA
Porteurs : Sophie FORTUNO (CIRAD)  / Christian PICHOT (INRAE)  
2024 - 2030
OFVIOne Forest Vision Initiative
Porteur : Jean-François SOUSSANA (INRAE)  
2023 - 2027
RIFTSoutien aux infrastructures, tours de Flux
Porteur : Jérôme DEMARTY (IRD)  
2024 - 2027
TROPECOSBilans de carbone des écosystèmes côtiers tropicaux dans l’Anthropocène
Porteur : Gwenaël ABRIL (CNRS)  
2023 - 2027

BESSON Ninon 2025 - 2027. Etude de la phénologie végétative des forêts d'Afrique Centrale.. Ecole doctorale : GAIA / Université de Montpellier. Dir : HEURET Patrick / Co-dir. : BARBIER Nicolas

LOMWONG Noppawan 2024 - 2027. Elucidating the spatiotemporal dynamics of tropical forest structure and composition using a combination of field and advanced remote sensing technologies. Ecole doctorale : Chiang Mai University / Chiang Mai University. Dir : PIMMONRAT Tiansawa / Co-dir. : REJOU-MECHAIN Maxime

VILLA RAMOS Jorge Luis 2025 - 2028. Régimes des feux aux Andes tropicales. Ecole doctorale : GAIA / Université de Montpellier. Dir : OLIVERAS MENOR Immaculada / Co-dir. : COUTERON Pierre

YANG Junliu 2023 - 2027. Utilisation de lidar aéroporté pour cartographier l'évolution de la force de puits de carbone des forêts tropicales. Ecole doctorale : GAIA / Université de Montpellier. Dir : VINCENT Grégoire

  • JB Feret (Tetis MPL),
  • D Coomes (Cambridge U),
  • S Saatchi (NASA JPL),
  • R Valbuena (Wales University),
  • J Chanussot (GIPSA Grenoble),
  • M Disney (UCL),
  • V Deblauwe (CBI),
  • B Sonké (LaboSYstE, ENS-Univ Yaoundé I),
  • JP Gastellu Etchegorry, T Le Toan (Cesbio),
  • H Poilvé (Airbus DS),
  • M Herold (WUR),
  • T Stévart (MBG),
  • S Gourlet Fleury, E Forni (CIRAD Forêts et Sociétés).