On the possibility of determining allometric indicators of trees using satellite remote sensing data

Abstract

In recent decades, the rapid development of remote sensing technologies has led to the development of various methods for determining the amount of aboveground biomass from satellite images. Regression equations were constructed linking fild estimates of aboveground biomass and vegetation indices obtained by remote sensing methods. Such studies make it possible not only to promptly monitor the state of vast forests, but also to solve the problem of assessing global carbon stocks on the planet. The purpose of the study is to create the foundations for the development of new methods for determining allometric indicators by remote sensing methods. The objectives of the study are to determine using remote sensing technologies (1) the total mass of trees of a forest consisting of n number of plots diffring from each other in the number and type of trees; (2) the total mass of a heterogeneous forest in which there is a certain functional relationship between normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the number of trunks in a certain area; (3) the model relationship between NDVI and such allometric indicators as tree height (H) and crown diameter (CD). Research results: some problems of allometric measurements using remote sensing methods have been solved. A formula has been obtained for calculating the biological mass of trees in the forest using the values of the NDVI in individual forest areas; a similar problem for the case of a functional relationship between NDVI and the number of trunks in individual forest areas; the formula of the model relationship between NDVI and the product of such allometric indicators as tree height and crown diameter is obtained.