Estimation of forest-ecosystem site index using remote-sensed data

The estimation of site index and site quality forms the fundamental theory and basic tools in forest-ecosystem management and silviculture practice. The study on the spatial pattern and temporal dynamics of site index and site quality of forest ecosystem still lacks technological advancement. It is a novel approach for estimating forest productivity in large areas using satellite remote-sensed data. The site-index spatial distribution pattern of spruce (Picea asperata) forest in Songpan-Zhengjiangguan watershed, northwestern Sichuan Province, China, was described using the remote-sensing vegetation index application and the established inverse models. The application potential of the methodology in broad regions and forests using the accuracy assessment was evaluated. The results show that the site index of the spruce forest is in linear correlation with the remote-sensed vegetation indices (normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and soil adjust NDVI (TNDVI)), as well as with these inverse models with high accuracy. This study demonstrated that this approach can be used in similar estimation of different forest ecosystems.