ibclogo XVI International Botanical Congess


Abstract Number: 3906
Poster No. = 1570


DETECTION OF PHENOLOGICAL CHANGES IN TROPICAL FORESTS USING HIGH RESOLUTION MULTI-SPECTRAL IMAGING


Stephanie Bohlman, University of Washington, College of Foresry, Seattle, WA 98195


Stand-level phenology of tropical forests is difficult to measure because of high species diversity and low synchrony. Remote sensing may facilitate measurement of phenology by averaging crowns over large areas. However, the coarse resolution of satellite images limits visual interpretation of seasonal spectral changes. I used a multi-spectral camera from construction cranes in Panama to take fine resolution images, which allow interpretation of phenology and determination of reflectance. An increase in red and decrease in IR reflectance were found with leaf drop and aging. Individual species could be distinguished based on reflectance patterns. Deciduousness can be detected at larger spatial scales. Areas with high deciduous tree density can be distinguished in 30 m resolution Thematic Mapper images of the Canal Zone.


HTML-Version made 7. July 1999 by Kurt Stüber