Dr. Lars Waser
Function
scientific staff member
Contact
lars.waser(at)wslto make life hard for spam bots.ch
+41 44 739 22 92+41 44 739 22 92
Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL
Zürcherstrasse 111
8903 Birmensdorf
Site
Birmensdorf Bi HP C 57
Remote Sensing for Forest Applications
Swiss National Forest Inventory
I work for national and international projects and programs which are mostly related to forestry and supervise master and PhD students. My specific research interests are: Detecting the state-of-the art and modeling changes (natural and human-made) of landscapes, with focus on forests, using modelling techniques and high-resolution remotely sensed data: airborne digital sensors, Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS), Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS), and spaceborne sensors. I have particular research interests in spatially estimating forest parameters (area, species, timber volume etc.) on stand or national level, modelling in the forestry sector using sample plots, and correlation of remote sensing data with biodiversity, e.g. in wetlands.
Keywords: Remote Sensing of Environment, Deep learning, Estimating Forest Parameters, National Forest Inventory, Tree Species, Biodiversity, Wall-to-Wall Products, Copernicus Sentinel 1/ 2, countrywide
- Co-Editor of European Journal of Remote Sensing: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tejr20
- Senior Co-Editor of Remote Sensing: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/remotesensing/editors
- Member of Scientific Committee of ForestSAT conferences, IGARSS, EARSeL SIG Forestry Workshops
- Researcher-ID: http://www.researcherid.com/rid/D-5937-2011
- PHD Thesis: https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-a-007562716
- Research Gate: http://www.researchgate.net
- AFL: https://www.nwfva.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Sachgebiet/Luftbild_GIS/Flyer_AfL.pdf
FURTHER INFORMATION
Publications WSL
Scientific publication article peer reviewed
Bont, L.G.; Hill, A.; Waser, L.T.; Bürgi, A.; Ginzler, C.; Blattert, C., 2020: Airborne-laser-scanning-derived auxiliary information discriminating between broadleaf and conifer trees improves the accuracy of models for predicting timber volume in mixed and heterogeneously structured forests. Forest Ecology and Management, 459: 117856 (18 pp.). doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2019.117856
Price, B.; Waser, L.T.; Wang, Z.; Marty, M.; Ginzler, C.; Zellweger, F., 2020: Predicting biomass dynamics at the national extent from digital aerial photogrammetry. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, 90: 102116 (10 pp.). doi: 10.1016/j.jag.2020.102116
Wang, Z.; Ginzler, C.; Waser, L.T., 2020: Assessing structural changes at the forest edge using kernel density estimation. Forest Ecology and Management, 456: 117639 (13 pp.). doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2019.117639
Ginzler, C.; Price, B.; Bösch, R.; Fischer, C.; Hobi, M.L.; Psomas, A.; Rehush, N.; Wang, Z.; Waser, L.T., 2019: Area-wide products. In: Traub, B. (eds), 2019: Swiss National Forest Inventory – Methods and models of the fourth assessment. Cham, Springer. 125-142. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-19293-8_7
Rüetschi, M.; Small, D.; Waser, L.T., 2019: Rapid detection of windthrows using Sentinel-1 C-band SAR data. Remote Sensing, 11, 2: 115 (23 pp.). doi: 10.3390/rs11020115
Bihamta Toosi, N.; Soffianian, A.R.; Fakheran, S.; Pourmanafi, S.; Ginzler, C.; Waser, L.T., 2019: Comparing different classification algorithms for monitoring mangrove cover changes in southern Iran. Global Ecology and Conservation, 19: e00662 (16 pp.). doi: 10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00662
Ginzler, C.; Marty, M.; Waser, L.T., 2019: Landesweite digitale Vegetationshöhenmodelle aus historischen SW - Stereoluftbildern. In: Kersten, T.P. (eds), 2019: Dreiländertagung der OVG, DGPF und SGPF. Photogrammetrie - Fernerkundung - Geoinformation - 2019. 39. Wissenschaftlich-Technische Jahrestagung der DGPF e.V., Wien. 400-406.
Rehush, N.; Abegg, M.; Waser, L.T.; Brändli, U., 2018: Identifying tree-related microhabitats in TLS point clouds using machine learning. Remote Sensing, 10, 11: 1735 (23 pp.). doi: 10.3390/rs10111735
Waser, L.T.; Boesch, R.; Wang, Z.; Ginzler, C., 2017: Towards automated forest mapping. In: Remmel, T.K.; Perera, A.H. (eds), 2017: Mapping forest landscape patterns. New York, Springer. 263-304. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7331-6_7
Ginzler, C.; Waser, L.T., 2017: Entwicklungen im Bereich der Fernerkundung für forstliche Anwendungen. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Forstwesen, 168, 3: 118-126. doi: 10.3188/szf.2017.0118
Rehush, N.; Waser, L.T., 2017: Assessing the structure of primeval and managed beech forests in the Ukrainian Carpathians using remote sensing. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 47, 1: 63-72. doi: 10.1139/cjfr-2016-0253
Waser, L.T.; Ginzler, C.; Rehush, N., 2017: Wall-to-wall tree type mapping from countrywide airborne remote sensing surveys. Remote Sensing, 9, 8: 766 (24 pp.). doi: 10.3390/rs9080766
Fassnacht, F.E.; Latifi, H.; Stereńczak, K.; Modzelewska, A.; Lefsky, M.; Waser, L.T.; Straub, C.; Ghosh, A., 2016: Review of studies on tree species classification from remotely sensed data. Remote Sensing of Environment, 186: 64-87. doi: 10.1016/j.rse.2016.08.013
Chirici, G.; Mura, M.; McInerney, D.; Py, N.; Tomppo, E.O.; Waser, L.T.; Travaglini, D.; McRoberts, R.E., 2016: A meta-analysis and review of the literature on the k-Nearest Neighbors technique for forestry applications that use remotely sensed data. Remote Sensing of Environment, 176: 282-294. doi: 10.1016/j.rse.2016.02.001
Barrett, F.; McRoberts, R.E.; Tomppo, E.; Cienciala, E.; Waser, L.T., 2016: A questionnaire-based review of the operational use of remotely sensed data by national forest inventories. Remote Sensing of Environment, 174: 279-289. doi: 10.1016/j.rse.2015.08.029
Wang, Z.; Ginzler, C.; Waser, L.T., 2015: A novel method to assess short-term forest cover changes based on digital surface models from image-based point clouds. Forestry, 88, 4: 429-440. doi: 10.1093/forestry/cpv012
Waser, L.T.; Fischer, C.; Wang, Z.; Ginzler, C., 2015: Wall-to-wall forest mapping based on digital surface models from image-based point clouds and a NFI forest definition. Forests, 6, 12: 4510-4528. doi: 10.3390/f6124386
Waser, L.T.; Küchler, M.; Jütte, K.; Stampfer, T., 2014: Evaluating the potential of WorldView-2 data to classify tree species and different levels of ash mortality. Remote Sensing, 6, 5: 4515-4545. doi: 10.3390/rs6054515
Waser, L.T., 2013: Stand und Perspektiven einer landesweiten Baumartenklassifikation mit digitalen Luftbildern. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Forstwesen, 164, 4: 95-103. doi: 10.3188/szf.2013.0095
Straub, C.; Stepper, C.; Seitz, R.; Waser, L.T., 2013: Potential of UltraCamX stereo images for estimating timber volume and basal area at the plot level in mixed European forests. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 43, 8: 731-741. doi: 10.1139/cjfr-2013-0125
Engler, R.; Waser, L.T.; Zimmermann, N.E.; Schaub, M.; Berdos, S.; Ginzler, C.; Psomas, A., 2013: Combining ensemble modeling and remote sensing for mapping individual tree species at high spatial resolution. Forest Ecology and Management, 310: 64-73. doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2013.07.059
Waser, L.T.; Ginzler, C.; Kuechler, M.; Baltsavias, E.; Hurni, L., 2011: Semi-automatic classification of tree species in different forest ecosystems by spectral and geometric variables derived from Airborne Digital Sensor (ADS40) and RC30 data. Remote Sensing of Environment, 115, 1: 76-85. doi: 10.1016/j.rse.2010.08.006
Ecker, K.; Waser, L.T.; Küchler, M., 2010: Contribution of multi-source remote sensing data to predictive mapping of plant-indicator gradients within Swiss mire habitats. Botanica Helvetica, 120, 1: 29-42. doi: 10.1007/s00035-010-0070-4
Waser, L.T.; Klonus, S.; Ehlers, M.; Küchler, M.; Jung, A., 2010: Potential of digital sensors for land cover and tree species classifications - a case study in the framework of the DGPF-project. Photogrammetrie, Fernerkundung, Geoinformation, 141-156. doi: 10.1127/1432-8364/2010/0046
Waser, L.T.; Baltsavias, E.; Ecker, K.; Eisenbeiss, H.; Ginzler, C.; Kuechler, M.; Thee, P.; Zhang, L., 2008: High-resolution digital surface models (DSMs) for modelling fractional shrub/tree cover in a mire environment. International Journal for Remote Sensing, 29, 5: 1261-1276. doi: 10.1080/01431160701736422
Waser, L.T.; Baltsavias, E.; Ecker, K.; Eisenbeiss, H.; Feldmeyer-Christe, E.; Ginzler, C.; Küchler, M.; Zhang, L., 2008: Assessing changes of forest area and shrub encroachment in a mire ecosystem using digital surface models and aerial images. Remote Sensing of Environment, 112: 1956-1968. doi: 10.1016/j.rse.2007.09.015
Ecker, K.; Küchler, M.; Feldmeyer-Christe, E.; Graf, U.; Waser, L.T., 2008: Predictive mapping of floristic site conditions across mire habitats: Evaluating data requirements. Community Ecology, 9, 2: 133-146. doi: 10.1556/ComEc.9.2008.2.2
Baltsavias, E.; Gruen, A.; Eisenbeiss, H.; Zhang, L.; Waser, L.T., 2008: High-quality image matching and automated generation of 3D tree models. International Journal for Remote Sensing, 29, 5: 1243-1259. doi: 10.1080/01431160701736513
Waser, L.T.; Kuechler, M.; Schwarz, M.; Ivtis, E.; Stofer, S.; Scheidegger, C., 2007: Prediction of lichen diversity in an UNESCO biosphere reserve - correlation of high resolution remote sensing data with field samples. Environmental Modeling and Assessment, 12, 4: 315-328. doi: 10.1007/s10666-006-9066-2
Feldmeyer-Christe, E.; Ecker, K.; Küchler, M.; Graf, U.; Waser, L., 2007: Improving predictive mapping in Swiss mire ecosystems through re-calibration of indicator values. Applied Vegetation Science, 10: 183-192. doi: 10.1658/1402-2001(2007)10[183:Ipmism]2.0.Co;2
Waser, L.T.; Schwarz, M., 2006: Comparison of large-area land cover products with national forest inventories and CORINE land cover in the European Alps. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, 8: 196-207. doi: 10.1016/j.jag.2005.10.001
Waser, L.T.; Stofer, S.; Schwarz, M.; Kuechler, M.; Ivits, E.; Scheidegger, C., 2004: Prediction of biodiversity - regression of lichen species richness on remote sensing data. Community Ecology, 5, 1: 121-133. doi: 10.1556/ComEc.5.2004.1.12
Küchler, M.; Ecker, K.; Feldmeyer-Christe, E.; Graf, U.; Küchler, H.; Waser, L.T., 2004: Combining remotely sensed spectral data and digital surface models for fine-scale modelling of mire ecosystems. Community Ecology, 5, 1: 55-68. doi: 10.1556/ComEc.5.2004.1.6
Further scientific publications
Der vorliegende Leitfaden ist insbesondere für Praktiker nützlich, die beispielsweise in Forst- oder Naturschutzverwaltungen, in Forstbetrieben oder Ingenieurbüros mit Fernerkundungsdaten arbeiten. Die notwendigen theoretischen Grundlagen für die Ableitung und Nutzung von luftbildbasierten Oberflächenmodellen im Forst- und Umweltbereich sowie deren Folgeprodukte werden angesprochen.
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Rüetschi, M.; Small, D.; Waser, L.T.; Ginzler, C., 2019: Lokalisierung von Windwürfen mit Sentinel-1A/B-Daten: ein Versuch nach «Burglind». Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Forstwesen, 170, 2: 106-109. doi: 10.3188/szf.2019.0094
Waser, L.T., 2017: Baumartenerkennung mit Luftbildern. LWF Waldforschung aktuell, 4: 19-21.
Vidal, C.; Gschwantner, T.; Korhonen, K.T.; Alberdi, I.; Gasparini, P.; Redmont, J.; Ginzler, C.; Fischer, C.; Hervé, J.-C.; Waser, L.T.; Kuliešis, A.; Kasperavičius, A.; Bosela, M.; Adolt, R.; Petráš, R.; Kučera, M.; Fridman, J.; Schadauer, K., 2016: Progress towards harmonised assessment of availability and use of wood resources in Europe. In: Hernández, L.; Redmond, J. (eds), 2016: National forest inventories. Assessment of wood availability and use. Cham, Springer. 81-104. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-44015-6_4
Waser, L.T.; Straub, C., 2015: Baumartenerkennung mit optischen Fernerkundungsdaten - Stand und Perspektiven. In: Wallner, A.; Seitz, R. (eds), 2015: Der gepixelte Wald - Reloaded. 61-71.
Straub, C.; Stepper, C.; Seitz, R.; Waser, L.T., 2015: Amtliche Fernerkundungsdaten in der Forstwirtschaft - Anwendungspotential in Bayern. In: Wallner, A.; Seitz, R. (eds), 2015: Der gepixelte Wald - Reloaded. 7-17.
Straub, C.; Stepper, C.; Seitz, R.; Waser, L.T., 2013: Möglichkeiten einer stratifizierten Schätzung von forstlichen Kenngrössen unter Verwendung von amtlichen Stereo-Luftbildern, Orthophotos und Laserscannerdaten. In: Seyfert, E. (eds), 2013: Vorträge, 33. Wissenschaftlich-Technische Jahrestagung der DGPF. 33. Wissenschaftlich-Technische Jahrestagung der DGPF, Freiburg i.B., Februar 27 - March 1, 2013. 186-193.
Waser, L.T., 2012: Airborne remote sensing data for semi-automated extraction of tree area and classification of tree species. Dissertation, ETH Zurich. 153 p.
Waser, L.T., 2011: Semi-automatic extraction of forest area, type and composition from ADS40/80 images and derived CHMS for the Swiss NFI. In: Breidenbach, J.; Astrup, R. (eds), 2011: Creation of digital elevation models from aerial images for forest monitoring purposes. Proceedings. Creation of digital elevation models from aerial images for forest monitoring purposes, Ås. 7-10.
Waser, L.T.; Baltsavias, E.; Ginzler, C.; Küchler, M., 2010: Semiautomatic classification of tree species by means of multitemporal airborne digital sensor data ADS40. In: Wagner, W.; Szekely, B. (eds), 2010: 100 Years ISPRS. Advancing remote sensing science. ISPRS Technical Commission VII Symposium, Vienna. 633-638.
Waser, L.T.; Ginzler, C.; Küchler, M., 2010: Semi-automatische Baumartendifferenzierung auf der Grundlage von ADS40 Digitalkamera-Luftbildern. In: Schmidt, O.; Seitz, R. (eds), 2010: Der gepixelte Wald - Forstliche Fernerkundung vor dem Hintergrund aktueller Entwicklungen in Umwelt und Technik. 30-37.
Waser, L.T.; Ginzler, C.; Küchler, M.; Lanz, A.; Baltsavias, E., 2009: Semiautomatic prediction of main tree species using multi-temporal ADS40 data. In: McRoberts, R. (eds), 2009: Proceedings of the IUFRO Division 4 Symposium on Extending Forest Inventory and Monitoring over space and time. IUFRO Division 4 Symposium on Extending Forest Inventory and Monitoring over space and time, Quebec. (6 pp.).
Waser, L.T.; Ginzler, C.; Küchler, M.; Baltsavias, E., 2009: Modeling tree species distribution in different forest ecosystems using spectral and geometric variables derived from Airborne Digital Sensor (ADS) 40 data. In: Malingreau, J.P. (eds), 2009: Proceedings of the 33rd Symposium on remote Sensing of Environment (ISRSE). 33rd Symposium on remote Sensing of Environment (ISRSE), Stresa. (4 pp.).
Waser, L.T.; Eisenbeiss, H.; Kuechler, M.; Baltsavias, E., 2008: Potential and limits of airborne remote sensing data for extraction of fragctional canopy cover and forest stands and detection of tree species. In: 2008: 1405-1412.
Waser, L.T.; Ginzler, C.; Kuechler, M.; Baltsavias, E., 2008: Potential and limits of extraction of forest attributes by fusion of medium point density LiDAR data with ADS40 and RC30 images. In: Hill, R.; Suarez, J.; Rosette, J. (eds), 2008: SilviLaser 2008, 8th international conference on LiDAR applications in forest assessment and inventory. 10.
Waser, L.T.; Baltsavias, E.; Eisenbeiss, H.; Ginzler, C.; Gruen, A.; Kuechler, M.; Thee, P., 2007: Change Detection in Mire Ecosystems: Assessing Changes of Forest Area using Airborne Remote Sensing Data. In: 2007: 313-318.
Waser, L.T.; Küchler, M.; Baltsavias, E.; Eisenbeiss, H., 2007: Prediction of tree species by means of airborne digital sensor data and LiDAR. In: 2007: Proceedings of ForestSAT Conference. ForestSAT Conference, Montpellier. (8 pp.).
Ginzler, C.; Boehl, J.; Boesch, R.; Waser, L.T., 2007: Accuracy of forest parameters derived from medium footprint LiDAR under operational constraints. In: 2007: ISPRS Workshop on Laser Scanning 2007 and SilviLaser 2007. ISPRS Workshop on Laser Scanning 2007 and SilviLaser 2007, Espoo. 144-149.
Waser, L.T.; Ginzler, C.; Kuechler, M.; Baltsavias, E.; Eisenbeiss, H., 2007: Modeling fractional shrub/tree cover and multi-temporal changes in mire ecosystems using high-resolution digital surface models and CIR aerial images. In: 2007: IEEE international geoscience and remote sensing symposium. IGARSS Barcelona 2007. Sensing and understanding our planet. 2017 IEEE international geoscience and remote sensing symposium (IGARSS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, July 23-27, 2007. 2288. doi: 10.1109/IGARSS.2007.4423298
Waser, L.T.; Ginzler, C.; Küchler, M.; Baltsavias, E.; Eisenbeiss, H., 2007: Modeling fractional shrub/tree cover and multi-temporal changes in mire ecosystems using high-resolution digital surface models and CIR aerial images. In: 2007: Proceedings of IGARSS IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium. IGARSS IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, Barcelona, July 23-27, 2007. (6 pp.).
Waser, L.T.; Ginzler, C.; Küchler, M.; Thee, P.; Baltsavias, E.; Eisenbeiss, H., 2007: Extraction of forest parameters in a mire biotope using high-resolution digital surface models and airborne imagery. In: 2007: Proceedings of IGARSS IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium. IGARSS IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, Barcelona, July 23-27, 2007. (6 pp.).
Küchler, M.; Ecker, K.; Feldmeyer, E.; Graf, U.; Waser, L.T., 2007: Predictive models of mire habitats: Bias in detection of changes. In: Okrusko, T.; Maltby, E.; Szatylowicz, J.; Switek, D.; Kotowski, W. (eds), 2007: Wetlands: Monitoring, Modelling and Management. London, Taylor & Francis. 91-99.
Wang, Z.; Boesch, R.; Waser, L.; Ginzler, C., 2006: Mean Shift Segmentation Applied to ADS40 Data for Automatic Forest Detection. In: 2006: Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Information and Automation. IEEE International Conference on Information and Automation, Zhuhai/Macau, China. 1099-1103. doi: 10.1109/ICINFA.2009.5205081
Baltsavias, E.; Gruen, A.; Küchler, M.; Thee, P.; Waser, L.T.; Zhang, L., 2006: Tree height measurements and tree growth estimation in a mire environment using digital surface models. In: Koukal, T.; Schneider, W. (eds), 2006: Proceedings of the International Workshop: 3D Remote Sensing in Forestry. International Workshop: 3D Remote Sensing in Forestry, Vienna. 44-54.
Waser, L.T.; Ecker, K.; Ginzler, C.; Küchler, M.; Schwarz, M.; Thee, P., 2006: Extraction of forest parameters in a mire environment using airborne spectral data and digital surface models. In: Koukal, T.; Schneider, W. (eds), 2006: Proceedings of the International Workshop: 3D Remote Sensing in Forestry. International Workshop: 3D Remote Sensing in Forestry, Vienna. 15-23.
Waser, L.T.; Kuechler, M.; Schwarz, M.; Stofer, S.; Scheidegger, C.; Ivitis, E.; Koch, B., 2004: Prediction of Biodiversity - correlation of remote sensing data with lichen field samples. In: 2004: 845-851.
Schwarz, M.; Zimmermann, N.E.; Waser, L.T., 2004: MODIS based continuous fields of tree cover using generalized linear models. In: 2004: 2004 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium proceedings. Science for society: exploring and managing a changing planet. IGARSS 2004 Vol. 7. 2004 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium. IGARSS 2004, Anchorage, AK, USA. 2377-2380. doi: 10.1109/IGARSS.2004.1369766
Schwarz, M.; Steinmeier, C.; Waser, L., 2002: Detection of storm losses in the Alpine forest areas by different methodical approaches using high-resolution satellite data. In: Bégni, G. (eds), 2002: Observing our environment from space: New solutions for a new millenium. Lisse, Balkema. 251-257.
Waser, L.; Zimmermann, N.; Keller, M.; Schwarz, M., 2001: Rapid assessmant of land cover in the European Alps - Evaluation of MODIS MOD 12 data. In: Belward, A.; Binaghi, E.; Brivio, P.A.; Lanzarone, G.A.T.G. (eds), 2001: International Workshop on Geo-Spatial Knowledge Processing for Natural Resource Management. International Workshop on Geo-Spatial Knowledge Processing for Natural Resource Management, Varese. 376-381.
Waser, L.; Catalini, M.; Schardt, M.; Schmitt, U.; Zini, E., 2000: Inventory of alpine-relevant parameters for an alpine monitoring system using remote sensing data. In: 2000: 8 pp..
Magazine article and brochures
Waser, L.; Zimmermann, N.; Schwarz, M., 2003: Landcoverdaten unter der Lupe. Eignung von MODIS-Landcoverdaten und ähnlichen Produkten anderer Satelliten zur Bewertung Landschafts-relevanter Fragen im Alpenraum - ein Vergleich mit nationalen Forstinventuren. Informationsblatt Landschaft, 56: 1-4.
Links
- Co-Editor of European Journal of Remote Sensing: http://ojs.agr.unifi.it/index.php/EuJRS
- Co-Editor of Remote Sensing: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/remotesensing/editors
- Member of Scientific Committee of ForestSAT conferences, IGARSS, EARSeL SIG Forestry Workshops
- Researcher-ID: http://www.researcherid.com/rid/D-5937-2011
- PHD Thesis: http://e-collection.library.ethz.ch/view/eth:6087
- Research Gate: http://www.researchgate.net
- AFL: http://www.nwfva.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Sachgebiet/Luftbild_GIS/Flyer_AfL.pdf