The estimation of the growing stock of eucalypt plantation forests, based on spectral signatures of satellite imagery, in South Africa

Abstract

The present study deals with the application of spectral signatures, obtained from multispectral satellite images, in order to obtain regression estimates for the timber volume per unit area. The studies were carried out in South African Eucalyptus plantations. The grayscale values, recovered from sampling points based on 3 x 3 pixels, were satisfactorily closely correlated with the target variable. Cost-efficiency calculations indicated that two-and multi phase sampling with the aid of satellite images are an attractive alternative for traditional terrestric measurements. Further research is required.