Absolute density measures estimation functions with high resolution satellite images

Abstract

Assessment and monitoring of forest structure is frequently done with absolute density measures with field forest inventory data and expansion methods. The development of basal area and number of trees estimation functions with data derived from very high spatial resolution satellite images enables their short term and cost effective evaluation, allowing also the estimation for all the area not requiring extrapolation methods. The functions of basal area and number of trees per hectare are based on crown cover obtained with very high spatial resolution satellite images for two evergreen oaks and umbrella pine. The three tree species are especially important in the agroforestry systems of the Mediterranean region. The linear functions fitted for pure stands of the three species and mixed stands of cork and holm oak and of cork oak and umbrella pine, showed a better performance for basal area than for the number of trees per hectare. The inclusion of dummy variables for species composition improved the accuracy of the functions.