Abstract

LOPES, Domingos. Estimation of Forest Stands Biophysical Parameters Using LANDSAT TM Images of Pinus pinaster Stands in Northern Portugal. Silva Lus. [online]. 2012, vol.20, n.1-2, pp.71-82. ISSN 0870-6352.

Investigation on remote imagery accuracy for forest stands biophysical parameters estimation has been increasing in the last decades. In order to analyse how Landsat TM images and derived vegetation indices could be used to estimate Pinus pinaster stands biophysical parameters, 42 sampling plots were established in August 1997 in order to obtain leaf area index (LAI) field estimates, dendrometric stands characteristics (e.g. diameter at breast height, tree's volume) and spectrometric radiometric data. Sampling plots location was mapped using a GPS. After fieldwork, a Landsat TM image was submitted to pre-processing techniques (radiometric, atmospheric and geometric correction) and vegetation indices were calculated. Several regression equations were adjusted in order to create mathematical models to estimate biophysical parameters, using the better-correlated vegetation indices as independent variables. The results demonstrated that Pinus pinaster stands biophysical parameters could be estimated by means of vegetation indices derived from Landsat TM images, being the best results achieved for site index, diameter at breast height and mean and dominant height.

Keywords : Pinus pinaster; forestry biophysical parameters; remote sensing; vegetation indices; estimation.

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