Mapping Burnt Forest Areas and Monitoring their Regeneration Using MERIS Images

The study presented here uses satellite information from Envisat-Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS), ground data and ancillary maps to access the use of MERIS satellite data in mapping burnt forest areas and monitoring their regeneration. A time series of MERIS images for 5 consecutive years 2007 to 2011 was processed. The MERIS based Normalized Difference Vegetation Index for selected burned and unburned areas was calculated and studied. Results show the efficiency of MERIS data in assessing the extend of burnt areas and regeneration monitoring