Mapping the effects of dry sclerophyll vegetation within the battlespace using the Leica ADS40 and GIS

Abstract

1st Topographical Survey Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers, provides deployable geospatial support to the Australian Defence Force. Part of this role is the production of products for use by commanders. These products provide commanders at all levels with mission specific and up to date knowledge of the terrain that he will encounter on the battlespace. Currently 1st Topographical Survey Squadron provides products that contain manmade features, hydrography, slope, surface configuration and vegetation as displayed on current mapping products. They do not provide an accurate portrayal of the effect that vegetation characteristics have on the battlespace.

Introducing these types of features will give the commander a greater knowledge of the terrain and environment that he will encounter, and will greatly improve the planning and success of the campaign.

This research explored to what extent the accuracy of the terrain analysis products currently produced by 1st Topographical Survey Squadron would increase by adding a more detailed portrayal of vegetation extracted from remote sensing data.