Sader, S.A., R.B. Waide, W.T. Lawrence, and A.T. Joyce. 1989. Tropical forest biomass and successional age class relationships to a vegetation index derived from Landsat-TM data. Remote Sensing of Environment 28(4):143-156.

Forest structure and biomass data were collected using conventional forest inventory techniques in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate forest biomes. The feasibility of detecting tropical forest successional age class and total biomass differences using Landsat-Thematic mapper (tm) data, was evaluated. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) calculated from Landsat –TM data were not significantly correlated with forest regeneration age classes in the mountain region of the Luquillo Experimental Forest, Puerto Rico. The low sun angle and shadows cast on steep north and west facing slopes reduced spectral reflectance values recorded by TM at orbital altitude. The NDVI, calculated from low altitude aircraft scanner data, was slightly correlated with forest age classes. However, analysis of variance suggested that NDVI differences were not detectable for successional forest older than approximately 15-20 years. Also, biomass differences in young successional forests were not detectable using the NDVI. The vegetation index does not appear to be a good predictor of stand structure variables (e.g., height, diameter of main stem) or total biomass in uneven aged, mixed broadleaf forests. Good correlation between the vegetation index and low biomass in even age pine plantations were achieved for a warm temperate study site. The implications of the study for the use of NDVI for forest structure and biomass estimation are discussed.

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