RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN EASTERN BEECH FORESTS STAND PARAMETERS AND LANDSAT ETM SPECTRAL RESPONSES IN TURKEY

Abstract

This paper explores relationships between forest stand parameters and Landsat Enhancement Thematic Mapper (ETM), atmospheric correction applied, spectral responses thorough analyses of study area in Mugada, Bartin and its vicinity where natural beech (Fagus orientalis L.) stands. ETM bands and many vegetation indices were examined thorough integration of spectral responses and field vegetation inventory data. Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to interpret relationships between forest stand parameters and TM data. Besides, regression analysis method for the development of multi linear regression models was used. This study concludes that vegetation indices such as KT2 (greenness of the tasselled transform), Leaf Area Index (LAI), Fraction of Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FPAR), Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) and PC1 (the first component in a principal components analysis) were significantly correlated with forest stand parameters. Some vegetation indices, such as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and KT3 (Wetness of the tasselled transform), were not significantly with selected forest stand parameters. To estimate the stand parameters by making use of the relations between stand parameters and remote sensing data multiple linear regression models were formed using stepwise regression analysis method. As the resulting product, thematic maps were produced concerning basal area, tree height and volume.