Remote sensing of upland conifer plantations using Landsat TM data: A case study from Galloway, south-west Scotland

The relationship between reflectance and forest structure is investigated for 52 forest stands in Galloway. Height and basal area are most strongly correlated with reflectance in TM bands 3, 5 and 7 (R2 >= 0.77, P < 0.01). The strength of these relationships decreases substantially after canopy closure has occurred. Stem density cannot be predicted from canopy reflectance. Tree age can only be reliably predicted for areas where growth is uniform, which is rare in upland environments. Analysis of TM imagery provides a cost effective method of mapping certain canopy parameters provided that limited detail is required for older mature plantations with a closed canopy.

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