Validation of the directional multispectral forest reflectance model and estimation of forest parmeters by model inversion

PI: Dr. Andres Kuusk
Co-Investigators:
Prof. Tiit Nilson
Dr. Matti Mõttus
Dr. Frédéric Baret, INRA, Avignon
MSc Mait Lang

Abstract

Several canopy reflectance models have been developed at the Tartu Observatory for the interpretation of remote sensing data. There is a forest study area at Järvselja which serves as a field base for forestry students of the Estonian Agricultural University. A 10x10 km test site for the POLDER mission was there. Several satellite images (Landsat TM, Spot) of the area have been collected since 1985. Thorough ground measurements on the test site (forest inventory data, LAI, fish-eye images, ground vegetation reflectance spectra) have been performed several times.

The CHRIS multispectral images (Järvselja 27.2624E 58.2986N, mode 3) at five sequent positions (directions) during the same pass in the period of vegetative growth (June-August) will be used for the validation of the directional multispectral forest reflectance model developed at Tartu Observatory, and for the developing of the methods of model inversion. The data will be used in the frame of the projects "Optical remote sensing of the environment in Estonia and Baltic region" funded by Estonian government, Project 0062466s03 (2003-2007) and "Scattering and absorption of radiation energy in natural and cultivated vegetation canopies", Grant 6100 by Estonian Science Foundation (2005-2008).

The test site has been studied for a long period already, and canopy reflectance models (forest reflectance model FRT and homogeneous models MSRM and ACRM) are ready, tested, published and working.

5 January 2005