History:

The Laboratory for Applications of Remote Sensing in Ecology (LARSE) is a joint research effort of the USDA Forest Service, PNW Research Station, and the OSU College of Forestry's Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society. LARSE emerged from an array of related remote sensing research projects focused on terrestrial ecology problems. This activity began in 1989 with a concentration on using digital imagery to characterize forest structure in the Pacific Northwest Douglas-fir/western hemlock zone. Within a few short years, Landsat-based maps of forest structure were being directly incorporated into ecological analyses and models operating at landscape to regional scales. Modeling studies include carbon flux, biodiversity, and spatially-explicit scaling of ecological measurements and knowledge. The scope of activities and data types used continue to expand. LARSE now regularly employs between 10 and 20 scientists in a variety of positions, including permanent staff, post-docs, faculty research assistants, graduate students, student workers, and international scholars. Also, there are a number of full-time scientists not directly supported by the Lab that actively collaborate on LARSE research projects.

Resources:

LARSE researchers have access to a broad array of resources. These include a largely PC-based computer network running a wide variety of statistics, GIS, image analysis, and homegrown software. The lab also contains facilities for aerial photo interpretation, manages a large collection of field equipment, and maintains an extensive data library. Researchers also benefit from the multi- disciplinary interactions afforded by a world class research facility.