Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #157192
Title: TECHNICAL NOTE: LIGHTWEIGHT CAMERA STAND FOR CLOSE-TO-EARTH REMOTE SENSING

Author
item Booth, D
item Cox, Samuel
item LOUHAICHI, M - OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
item JOHNSON, D - OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Journal of Range Management
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/5/2004
Publication Date: 11/1/2004
Citation: Booth, D.T., Cox, S.E., Louhaichi, M., Johnson, D.E. 2004. Technical note: lightweight camera stand for close-to-earth remote sensing. Journal of Range Management. 57:675-678.

Interpretive Summary: Accurate, less expensive methods are needed for monitoring ecological health of rangelands. Digital photography and computer image analysis for ground-cover measurements can reduce labor costs and probably increase measurement accuracy. Here we describe how to build and use a new, 5.8-kg aluminum camera stand for acquiring vertical digital photographs from 2 m above ground level. The stand is easily transported over rangelands owing to its low weight, excellent balance, and break-down multi-piece construction.

Technical Abstract: Digital photography and subsequent image analysis for ground-cover measurements can increase sampling rate and measurement speed and probably increase measurement accuracy. Reduced monitoring time (labor cost) can increase monitoring precision by allowing for increased sample numbers. Multiple platforms have been developed for close-to-earth remote sensing. Here we outline a new, 5.8-kg aluminum camera stand for acquiring stereo imagery from 2 m above ground level. The stand is easily transported to, from, and within study sites owing to its low weight, excellent balance, and break-down multi-piece construction.