Using multispectral satellite imagery to estimate leaf area and response to silvicultural treatments in loblolly pine stands

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1587-1596 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco J Flores ◽  
H Lee Allen ◽  
Heather M Cheshire ◽  
Jerry M Davis ◽  
Montserrat Fuentes ◽  
...  

The relationship between leaf area index (LAI) of loblolly pine plantations and the broadband simple ratio (SR) vegetation index calculated from Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) data was examined. An equation was derived to estimate LAI from readily available Landsat 7 ETM+ data. The equation developed to predict LAI with Landsat 7 ETM+ data was tested with ground LAI measurements taken in 12 plots. The root mean square error of prediction was 0.29, an error of approximately 14% in prediction. The ability of Landsat 7 ETM+ data to consistently estimate SR over time was tested using two scenes acquired on different dates during the winter (December to early March). Comparison between the two images on a pixel-by-pixel basis showed that approximately 96% of the pixels had a difference of <0.5 units of SR (approximately 0.3 units of LAI). When the comparison was made on a stand-by-stand basis (average stand SR), a maximum difference of 0.2 units of SR (approximately 0.12 units of LAI) was found. These results suggest that stand LAI of loblolly pine plantations can be accurately estimated from readily available remote sensing data and provide an opportunity to apply the findings from ecophysiological studies in field plots to forest management decisions at an operational scale.

2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 154-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia Peduzzi ◽  
H. Lee Allen ◽  
Randolph H. Wynne

Abstract Leaf area index (LAI) was measured in summer and winter for the overstory and understory in 7- and 10-year-old loblolly and slash pine plantations on poorly drained, somewhat poorly drained, and moderately well-drained soils. LAI and vegetation indices (simple ratio [SR], normalized difference vegetation index [NDVI], vegetation index, and enhanced vegetation index) were also calculated using Landsat imagery. LAI values observed for the overstory were low in most of the plots (around 2 m2 m−2 in slash pine and around 3 m2 m−2 in loblolly pine), whereas the understory LAI was very high (around 2 m2 m−2), which can be attributed to the lack of canopy closure observed in all plots. No significant differences were found in the understory LAI values across soil drainage classes. Total LAI (overstory LAI plus understory LAI) values were weakly correlated with the vegetation indices. The LAI values estimated using Landsat data were typically half of the values estimated on the ground. Significant correlations were observed between the vegetation indices (SR and NDVI) and stand and site factors, suggesting that the satellite-derived indices were more related to the stand biophysical parameters than to in situ LAI estimates.


2004 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Cândido Xavier ◽  
Carlos Alberto Vettorazzi

Leaf area index (LAI) is an important parameter of the vegetation canopy, and is used, for instance, to estimate evapotranspiration, an important component of the hydrological cycle. This work analyzed the relationship between LAI, measured in field, and NDVI from four dates (derived from Landsat-7/ETM+ data), and with such vegetation index, to generate and analyze LAI maps of the study area for the diverse dates. LAI data were collected monthly in the field with LAI-2000 equipment in stands of sugar cane, pasture, corn, eucalypt, and riparian forest. The relationships between LAI and NDVI were adjusted by a potential model; 57% to 72% of the NDVI variance were explained by the LAI. LAI maps generated by empirical relationships between LAI and NDVI showed reasonable precision (standard error of LAI estimate ranged from 0.42 to 0.87 m² m-2). The mean LAI value of each monthly LAI map was shown to be related to the total precipitation in the three previous months.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1140
Author(s):  
Stephen M. Kinane ◽  
Cristian R. Montes ◽  
Timothy J. Albaugh ◽  
Deepak R. Mishra

Vegetation indices calculated from remotely sensed satellite imagery are commonly used within empirically derived models to estimate leaf area index in loblolly pine plantations in the southeastern United States. The data used to parameterize the models typically come with observation errors, resulting in biased parameters. The objective of this study was to quantify and reduce the effects of observation errors on a leaf area index (LAI) estimation model using imagery from Landsat 5 TM and 7 ETM+ and over 1500 multitemporal measurements from a Li-Cor 2000 Plant Canopy Analyzer. Study data comes from a 16 quarter 1 ha plot with 1667 trees per hectare (2 m × 3 m spacing) fertilization and irrigation research site with re-measurements taken between 1992 and 2004. Using error-in-variable methods, we evaluated multiple vegetation indices, calculated errors associated with their observations, and corrected for them in the modeling process. We found that the normalized difference moisture index provided the best correlation with below canopy LAI measurements (76.4%). A nonlinear model that accounts for the nutritional status of the stand was found to provide the best estimates of LAI, with a root mean square error of 0.418. The analysis in this research provides a more extensive evaluation of common vegetation indices used to estimate LAI in loblolly pine plantations and a modeling framework that extends beyond the typical linear model. The proposed model provides a simple to use form allowing forest practitioners to evaluate LAI development and its uncertainty in historic pine plantations in a spatial and temporal context.


2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 393-401
Author(s):  
Tengku Zia Ulqodry ◽  
Andreas Eko Aprianto ◽  
Andi Agussalim ◽  
Riris Aryawati ◽  
Afan Absori

Berbak Sembilang National Park of South Sumatra Region (BSNP South Sumatera) is the largest mangrove ecosystem in the western part of Indonesia. Monitoring of mangrove coverage in BSNP South Sumatera carried out using Landsat-8 imagery data based on NDVI values (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) integrated with mangrove LAI (Leaf Area Index) data. The research purpose was to analyze the mangrove coverage and mapping the density of the mangrove vegetation canopy with the integration of remote sensing data and LAI. This research conducted field survey with LAI measurement of mangrove canopy coverage and integrated with remote sensing data to validate map. The determination and correlation coefficient of NDVI and LAI value of canopy coverage was high (R2 = 0.69 ; r = 83.07).The results of research indicated that the overall distribution of the mangrove area was 94,622.05 ha. The NDVI image integration map with LAI resulted in 4 mangrove canopy density classes consisted of rare canopy (688.80 ha ; 0.73%), moderately dense canopy (1,139.55 ha ; 1.2%), dense canopy (35,003.46 ha ; 37%), and very dense canopy (57,790.20 ha ; 61.07%). Taman Nasional Berbak Sembilang wilayah Sumatera Selatan (TNBS Sumsel) merupakan kawasan ekosistem mangrove terluas di wilayah Indonesia bagian barat. Pemantauan kerapatan kanopi vegetasi mangrove di TNBS Sumsel dilakukan menggunakan data Citra Landsat-8 berdasarkan nilai NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) yang diintegrasikan dengan data LAI (Leaf Area Index) mangrove di lapangan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis tutupan vegetasi mangrove dan memetakan sebaran kerapatan kanopi mangrove dengan integrasi data penginderaan jauh dan LAI. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode pengolahan data survei lapangan dan hasil pengolahan citra satelit. Nilai koefisien determinasi dan korelasi antara nilai NDVI dengan nilai LAI tutupan Kanopi di Lapangan dikategorikan tinggi (R2 = 0,69 ; r = 83,07). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan tutupan mangrove secara keseluruhan seluas 94.622,05 ha. Peta integrasi citra NDVI dengan LAI mangrove di lapangan menghasilkan 4 kelas kerapatan kanopi mangrove yakni kanopi jarang seluas 688,80 ha (0,73%), kanopi sedang seluas 1.139,55 ha (1,2%), kanopi lebat seluas 35.003,46 ha (37%), dan kanopi sangat lebat seluas 57.790,20 ha (61,07%).


2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 803-813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuhong He ◽  
Xulin Guo ◽  
John F Wilmshurst

Available LAI instruments have greatly increased our ability to estimate leaf area index (LAI) non-destructively. However, it is difficult to infer from existing studies which instrument has the advantages in measuring LAI over other instruments for grassland ecosystems. The objective of our study was to compare the LAI estimates by two instruments (AccuPAR, and LAI2000), and correlate the LAI measurements to remote sensing data for a mixed grassland. Leaf area index of four grass communities was measured by both the destructive method and instruments. Ground canopy reflectance was measured and further calculated to be LAI-related vegetation indices. Statistical analysis showed that destructively sampled LAI ranged from 0.61 to 5.7 in the study area. Both instruments underestimated LAI in comparison with the destructive method. However, the LAI2000 is better than AccuPAR for estimating LAI. Comparison of four grass communities indicated that the lower the grass LAI, the greater the underestimated percentage of LAI values collected by both instruments. The adjusted transformed soil-adjusted vegetation index (ATSAVI), was the best LAI estimator in the mixed grassland. Key words: Leaf area index, sward structure, nondestructive vegetation sampling, hyperspectral remote sensing, mixed grass prairie


Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Blinn ◽  
Matthew House ◽  
Randolph Wynne ◽  
Valerie Thomas ◽  
Thomas Fox ◽  
...  

Leaf area index (LAI) is an important biophysical parameter used to monitor, model, and manage loblolly pine plantations across the southeastern United States. Landsat provides forest scientists and managers the ability to obtain accurate and timely LAI estimates. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between loblolly pine LAI measured in situ (at both leaf area minimum and maximum through two growing seasons at two geographically disparate study areas) and vegetation indices calculated using data from Landsat 7 (ETM+) and Landsat 8 (OLI). Sub-objectives included examination of the impact of georegistration accuracy, comparison of top-of-atmosphere and surface reflectance, development of a new empirical model for the species and region, and comparison of the new empirical model with the current operational standard. Permanent plots for the collection of ground LAI measurements were established at two locations near Appomattox, Virginia and Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Each plot is thirty by thirty meters in size and is located at least thirty meters from a stand boundary. Plot LAI measurements were collected twice a year using the LI-COR LAI-2200 Plant Canopy Analyzer. Ground measurements were used as dependent variables in ordinary least squares regressions with ETM+ and OLI-derived vegetation indices. We conclude that accurately-located ground LAI estimates at minimum and maximum LAI in loblolly pine stands can be combined and modeled with Landsat-derived vegetation indices using surface reflectance, particularly simple ratio (SR) and normalized difference moisture index (NDMI), across sites and sensors. The best resulting model (LAI = −0.00212 + 0.3329SR) appears not to saturate through an LAI of 5 and is an improvement over the current operational standard for loblolly pine monitoring, modeling, and management in this ecologically and economically important region.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1443
Author(s):  
Maria Angela Dissegna ◽  
Tiangang Yin ◽  
Hao Wu ◽  
Nicolas Lauret ◽  
Shanshan Wei ◽  
...  

The microclimatic conditions of the urban environment influence significantly the thermal comfort of human beings. One of the main human biometeorology parameters of thermal comfort is the Mean Radiant Temperature (Tmrt), which quantifies effective radiative flux reaching a human body. Simulation tools have proven useful to analyze the radiative behavior of an urban space and its impact on the inhabitants. We present a new method to produce detailed modeling of Tmrt spatial distribution using the 3-D Discrete Anisotropic Radiation Transfer model (DART). Our approach is capable to simulate Tmrt at different scales and under a range of parameters including the urban pattern, surface material of ground, walls, roofs, and properties of the vegetation (coverage, shape, spectral signature, Leaf Area Index and Leaf Area Density). The main advantages of our method are found in (1) the fine treatment of radiation in both short-wave and long-wave domains, (2) detailed specification of optical properties of urban surface materials and of vegetation, (3) precise representation of the vegetation component, and (4) capability to assimilate 3-D inputs derived from multisource remote sensing data. We illustrate and provide a first evaluation of the method in Singapore, a tropical city experiencing strong Urban Heat Island effect (UHI) and seeking to enhance the outdoor thermal comfort. The comparison between DART modelled and field estimated Tmrt shows good agreement in our study site under clear-sky condition over a time period from 10:00 to 19:00 (R2 = 0.9697, RMSE = 3.3249). The use of a 3-D radiative transfer model shows promising capability to study urban microclimate and outdoor thermal comfort with increasing landscape details, and to build linkage to remote sensing data. Our methodology has the potential to contribute towards optimizing climate-sensitive urban design when combined with the appropriate tools.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1131
Author(s):  
Tao Yu ◽  
Pengju Liu ◽  
Qiang Zhang ◽  
Yi Ren ◽  
Jingning Yao

Detecting forest degradation from satellite observation data is of great significance in revealing the process of decreasing forest quality and giving a better understanding of regional or global carbon emissions and their feedbacks with climate changes. In this paper, a quick and applicable approach was developed for monitoring forest degradation in the Three-North Forest Shelterbelt in China from multi-scale remote sensing data. Firstly, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), Ratio Vegetation Index (RVI), Leaf Area Index (LAI), Fraction of Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FPAR) and Net Primary Production (NPP) from remote sensing data were selected as the indicators to describe forest degradation. Then multi-scale forest degradation maps were obtained by adopting a new classification method using time series MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) images, and were validated with ground survey data. At last, the criteria and indicators for monitoring forest degradation from remote sensing data were discussed, and the uncertainly of the method was analyzed. Results of this paper indicated that multi-scale remote sensing data have great potential in detecting regional forest degradation.


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