Comparison of regression and geostatistical methods for mapping Leaf Area Index (LAI) with Landsat ETM+ data over a boreal forest

This study compared aspatial and spatial methods of using remote sensing and field data to predict maximum growing season leaf area index (LAI) maps in a boreal forest in Manitoba, Canada. The methods tested were orthogonal regression analysis (reduced major axis, RMA) and two geostatistical techniques: kriging with an external drift (KED) and sequential Gaussian conditional simulation (SGCS). Deterministic methods such as RMA and KED provide a single predicted map with either aspatial (e.g., standard error, in regression techniques) or limited spatial (e.g., KED variance) assessments of errors, respectively. In contrast, SGCS takes a probabilistic approach, where simulated values are conditional on the sample values and preserve the sample statistics. In this application, canonical indices were used to maximize the ability of Landsat ETM+ spectral data to account for LAI variability measured in the field through a spatially nested sampling design. As expected based on theory, SGCS did the best job preserving the distribution of measured LAI values. In terms of spatial pattern, SGCS preserved the anisotropy observed in semivariograms of measured LAI, while KED reduced anisotropy and lowered global variance (i.e., lower sill), also consistent with theory. The conditional variance of multiple SGCS realizations provided a useful visual and quantitative measure of spatial uncertainty. For applications requiring spatial prediction methods, we concluded KED is more useful if local accuracy is important, but SGCS is better for indicating global pattern. Predicting LAI from satellite data using geostatistical methods requires a distribution and density of primary, reference LAI measurements that are impractical to obtain. For regional NPP modeling with coarse resolution inputs, the aspatial RMA regression method is the most practical option.     

基于GF-1 WFV影像和机器学习算法的玉米叶面积指数估算

目的 叶面积指数（LAI）是重要的植被生物理化参数,对农作物长势和产量预测具有重要研究意义。基于物理模型和经验模型的LAI估算方法被认为是当前最常用的方法,但两种方法的估算效率和精度有限。近年来,机器学习算法在遥感监测领域广泛应用,算法具有描述非线性数据拟合、融合更多辅助信息的能力,为了评价机器学习算法在玉米LAI遥感估算中的适用性,本文分析比较了随机森林和BP神经网络算法估算玉米LAI的能力,并与传统经验模型进行了比较。方法 以河北省怀来县东花园镇为研究区,基于野外实测玉米LAI数据,结合同时期国产高分卫星（GF1-WFV影像）,首先分析了8种植被指数与LAI的相关性,进而采用保留交叉验证的方式将所有样本数据分为两部分,65%的数据作为模型训练集,35%作为验证集,重复随机分为3组,构建以8种植被指数为自变量,对应LAI值为因变量的RF模型、BP神经网络模型及传统经验模型。采用决定系数R²和均方根误差（RMSE）作为模型评价指标。结果 8种植被指数与LAI的相关性分析表明所有样本数据中,实测LAI值与各植被指数均在（P<0.01）水平下极显著相关,且相关系数均高于0.5;将3组不同样本数据在随机森林、BP神经网络算法中多次训练,并基于验证数据集进行估算精度检验,经验模型采用训练数据集建模,验证数据集检验,结果表明,RF模型表现出了较强的预测能力,LAI预测值与实测值R²分别为0.681、0.757、0.701,均高于BP模型（0.504、0.589、0.605）和经验模型（0.492、0.557、0.531）,对应RMSE分别为0.264、0.292、0.259;均低于BP模型（0.284、0.410、0.283）和经验模型（0.541、0.398、0.306）。结论 研究表明,RF算法能更好地进行玉米LAI遥感估算,为快速准确进行农作物LAI遥感监测提供了技术参考。     

基于无人机高光谱数据的玉米叶面积指数估算

无人机高光谱遥感是低成本、高精度获取精细尺度农作物生物物理参数和生物化学参数的新型手段，以此快速反演叶面积指数（Leaf Area Index, LAI）对作物长势评价、产量预测具有重要意义。以山东禹城市玉米为研究对象，利用PROSAIL辐射传输模型模拟玉米冠层反射率获取LAI特征响应波段结合相关性定量分析获取对LAI变化最为敏感的波段，并以此计算6种植被指数（Vegetation Index,VI），利用6种回归模型分别对单一特征波段和VI进行反演建模，以实测LAI评定模型精度。研究表明，光谱反射率中516、636、702、760和867 nm等波段对LAI变化最为敏感，以此建立的单一特征波段反演模型预测LAI精度R2为0.44~0.58；RMSE为0.16~0.18，其中636 nm建立的模型(LAI=21.86exp(-29.47R₆₃₆))相比其他反演模型预测精度较高（R2=0.58，RMSE=0.16）；6种植被指数与LAI高度相关，相关性系数R ²为0.85~0.86，以此建立的反演模型相比单一特征波段反演模型精度有所提高，R2为0.66~0.72，RMSE为0.12~0.14；其中mNDVI构建的LAI估算模型（LAI=exp(2.76~1.77/mNDVI))精度最高（R2=0.72，RMSE=0.13）。无人机高光谱遥感是快速、无损监测农作物生长信息的有效手段，为指导精细化尺度作物管理提供依据。     

基于无人机高光谱数据的玉米叶面积指数估算

无人机高光谱遥感是低成本、高精度获取精细尺度农作物生物物理参数和生物化学参数的新型手段,以此快速反演叶面积指数（Leaf Area Index, LAI）对作物长势评价、产量预测具有重要意义。以山东禹城市玉米为研究对象,利用PROSAIL辐射传输模型模拟玉米冠层反射率获取LAI特征响应波段结合相关性定量分析获取对LAI变化最为敏感的波段,并以此计算6种植被指数（Vegetation Index,VI）,利用6种回归模型分别对单一特征波段和VI进行反演建模,以实测LAI评定模型精度。研究表明,光谱反射率中516、636、702、760和867 nm等波段对LAI变化最为敏感,以此建立的单一特征波段反演模型预测LAI精度R2为0.44~0.58;RMSE为0.16~0.18,其中636 nm建立的模型(LAI=21.86exp(-29.47R₆₃₆))相比其他反演模型预测精度较高（R2=0.58,RMSE=0.16）;6种植被指数与LAI高度相关,相关性系数R ²为0.85~0.86,以此建立的反演模型相比单一特征波段反演模型精度有所提高,R2为0.66~0.72,RMSE为0.12~0.14;其中mNDVI构建的LAI估算模型（LAI=exp(2.76~1.77/mNDVI))精度最高（R2=0.72,RMSE=0.13）。无人机高光谱遥感是快速、无损监测农作物生长信息的有效手段,为指导精细化尺度作物管理提供依据。     

Spatial non-stationarity and scale-dependency of prediction accuracy in the remote estimation of LAI over a tropical rainforest in Sulawesi, Indonesia

The technique of Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) was used for estimation of Leaf Area Index (LAI) from remote sensing-based multi-spectral vegetation indices (VI) such as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), the mid-infrared corrected Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVIc), Simple Ratio (SR), Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) and Reduced Simple Ratio (RSR) in a region of equatorial rainforest in Central Sulavesi, Indonesia. The linear regressions between NDVI, NDVIc, SR, SAVI and RSR as explanatory variables and ground measurements of LAI at 166 plots as a dependent variable were produced using common modelling approach — Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression fitted to all data points, as well as GWR. Accuracy and precision statistics indicate that the GWR method made significantly better predictions of LAI in all simulations than OLS did. The relationships between LAI and the explanatory variables were found to be significantly spatially variable and scale-dependent. GWR has the potential to reveal local patterns in the spatial distribution of parameter estimates, it demonstrated sensitivity of the model's accuracy and performance to scale variation. The GWR approach enables finding the most appropriate scale for data analysis. This scale was different for each VI. The results suggest that spatial non-stationarity and scale-dependency in the relationship between LAI and remote sensing data has important implications for estimations of LAI based on empirical transfer functions.     

西南地区不同山地环境梯度叶面积指数遥感反演

叶面积指数(LAI)遥感估算是植被定量遥感研究的热点之一,监测植被LAI时空变化对于研究陆地生态系统碳循环及全球变化等具有非常重要的意义。在我国西南山区设置10个50km×50km的观测样区作为研究区,其中包括5个森林生态系统样区、3个农田生态系统样区和2个草地生态系统样区。分别获取不同优势植被类型LAI地面实测数据,结合同期获取的遥感数据,考虑地形因素影响,基于偏最小二乘原理分别构建各样区LAI遥感估算模型,并采用交叉验证的方式对模型精度进行评价。结果表明:考虑了海拔、坡度和坡向等地形因子的森林LAI遥感反演模型与未考虑地形变量的模型相比,其验证精度有所提高,R2由0.30~0.75提高至0.50~0.80,RMSE由0.52~0.93m2/m2降低至0.48~0.89m2/m2;所有样区优势植被类型LAI反演模型验证R2在0.40~0.80之间,RMSE在0.22~0.89m2/m2之间。发展的LAI遥感估算方法有助于认知山地植被LAI反演的地形效应问题,可为进一步的山地植被长势监测提供科学依据。     

Mapping leaf area index through spectral vegetation indices in a subtropical watershed

Leaf area index (LAI) has been associated with vegetation productivity and evapotranspiration in mathematical models. At a regional level LAI can be estimated with enough accuracy through spectral vegetation indices (SVIs), derived from remote sensing imagery. However, there are few studies showing LAI–SVI relationships in subtropical regions. The aim of this work was to examine the relationship between LAI and SVIs in a subtropical rural watershed (in Piracicaba, State of Sa?o Paulo, Brazil), for different land covers, and to use the best relationship to generate a LAI map for the watershed. LAI was measured with a LAI-2000 instrument in 32 plots on the field in areas of sugar cane, pasture, corn, eucalypt, and riparian forest. The SVIs studied were Simple Ratio (SR), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), calculated from Landsat-7 ETM+ data. The results showed LAI values ranging from 0.47 to 4.48. LAI–SVI relationships were similar for all vegetation types, and the potential model gave the best fit. It was observed that LAI–NDVI correlation (r ²=0.72) was not statistically different from LAI–SR correlation (r ²=0.70). The worst correlation was obtained by LAI–SAVI (r ²=0.56). A map was generated for the study area using the LAI–NDVI relationship. This was the first LAI map for the region.     

面向遥感叶面积指数产品的地形校正研究

地形校正是提高复杂地形区地表参数遥感定量化反演精度的重要手段。当前广泛应用的遥感叶面积指数产品（Leaf Area Index, LAI）多具有一定的地形误差,减少地形影响、提升其产品精度有着非常重要的意义。以我国江西省千烟洲地区为研究区域,利用地面实测LAI数据、LandsatTM数据和高程数据等,基于高程标准差和GLOBMAP LAI产品值的关系,建立面向叶面积指数产品的地形校正模型,利用这一模型对GLOBMAP LAI产品进行地形校正。结果表明：校正后的LAI与地面实测数据更为接近,LAI产品与地面测量值的RMSE由2.11下降到2.04;校正后LAI产品的标准差由2.08下降至1.69,LAI产品的地形误差得到了较好的改正。该方法较好地完成了LAI产品的地形校正,进一步提高了产品精度,具有一定的实用价值。     

Estimating the leaf area index in Indian tropical forests using Landsat-8 OLI data

Leaf area index (LAI) is a key vegetation biophysical parameter and is extensively used in modelling of phenology, primary production, light interception, evapotranspiration, carbon, and nitrogen dynamics. In the present study, we attempt to spatially characterize LAI for natural forests of Western Ghats India, using ground based and Landsat-8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) sensor satellite data. For this, 41 ground-based LAI measurements were carried out across a gradient of tropical forest types, viz. dry, moist, and evergreen forests using LAI-2200 plant canopy analyser, during the month of March 2015. Initially, measured LAI values were regressed with 15 spectral variables, including nine spectral vegetation indices (SVIs) and six Landsat-8 surface reflectance (ρ) variables using univariate correlation analysis. Results showed that the red (ρ_red), near-infrared (ρ_NIR), shortwave infrared (ρ_SWIR1, ρ_SWIR2) reflectance bands (R² > 0.6), and all SVIs (R² > 0.7) except simple ratio (SR) have the highest and second highest coefficient of determination with ground-measured LAI. In the second step, to select significant (high R², low root mean square error (RMSE), and p-level < 0.05) SVIs to determine the best representative model, stepwise multiple linear regression (SMLR) was implemented. The results indicate that the SMLR model predicted LAI with better coefficient of determination (R² = 0.83, RMSE = 0.78) using normalized difference vegetation index, enhanced vegetation index, and soil-adjusted vegetation index variables compared to the univariate approach. The predicted SMLR model was used to estimate a spatial map of LAI. It is desirable to evaluate the stability and potentiality of regional LAI models in natural forest ecosystems against the operationally accepted Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) global LAI product. To do this, the Landsat-8 pixel-based LAI map was resampled to 1 km resolution and compared with the MODIS derived LAI map. Results suggested that Landsat-8 OLI-based VIs provide significant LAI maps at moderate resolution (30 m) as well as coarse resolution (1 km) for regional climate models.     

Mapping leaf area index over a mixed natural forest area in the flooding season using ground-based measurements and Landsat TM imagery

Leaf area index (LAI) is an important structural parameter in terrestrial ecosystem modelling and management. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct an investigation on using moderate-resolution satellite imagery to estimate and map LAI in mixed natural forests in southeastern USA. In this study, along with ground-measured LAI and Landsat TM imagery, the potential of Landsat 5 TM data for estimating LAI in a mixed natural forest ecosystem in southeastern USA was investigated and a modelling method for mapping LAI in a flooding season was developed. To do so, first, 70 ground-based LAI measurements were collected on 8 April 2008 and again on 1 August 2008 and 30 July 2009; TM data were calibrated to ground surface reflectance. Then univariate correlation and multivariate regression analyses were conducted between the LAI measurement and 13 spectral variables, including seven spectral vegetation indices (VIs) and six single TM bands. Finally, April 08 and August 08 LAI maps were made by using TM image data, a multivariate regression model and relationships between April 08 and August 08 LAI measurements. The experimental results indicate that Landsat TM imagery could be used for mapping LAI in a mixed natural forest ecosystem in southeastern USA. Furthermore, TM4 and TM3 single bands (R ² > 0.45) and the soil adjusted vegetation index, transformed soil adjusted vegetation index and non-linear vegetation index (R ² > 0.64) have produced the highest and second highest correlation with ground-measured LAI. A better modelling result (R ²?=?0.78, accuracy?=?73%, root mean square error (RMSE)?=?0.66) of the 10-predictor multiple regression model was obtained for estimating and mapping April 08 LAI from TM data. With a linear model and a power model, August 08 LAI maps were successfully produced from the April 08 LAI map (accuracy?=?79%, RMSE?=?0.57), although only 58–65% of total variance could be accounted for by the linear and non-linear models.     

融合遥感先验信息的叶面积指数反演

借助植被辐射传输模型,利用遥感观测数据估算LAI是一种较为可靠和稳健的反演方法。然而,地表的复杂性、遥感观测的有限性以及自相关性导致遥感数据包含的信息量不足,不能完全支持LAI等地表参数的估算,易造成“病态”反演。在遥感反演过程中引入先验知识能够有效地解决该问题。研究基于遥感数据提取LAI先验信息,并将其用于代价函数的构建,利用PROSAIL辐射传输模型和遗传算法,分别在500 m和250 m尺度反演LAI。将高空间分辨率LAI分别升尺度到500 m和250 m,验证对应尺度LAI结果,评价引入先验信息对于提高LAI反演精度的作用。研究表明,引入先验信息有助于提高不同分辨率下LAI反演精度,且先验信息的质量一定程度上也影响着LAI反演结果。与未加入先验信息的LAI反演结果相比,以MODIS LAI产品作为先验信息反演的500 m尺度LAI结果精度R²由0.55提高至0.65,RMSE由1.29下降至0.38。在250 m尺度,以500 m LAI反演结果作为先验信息反演的叶面积指数,其精度优于以MODIS LAI产品为先验知识的估算结果,验证精度R²增加了0.08,RMSE减少了0.18。研究使用的先验信息主要来自遥感数据本身,没有地面实测数据的参与,在此基础上发展的多分辨率LAI反演方法具有估算大区域尺度LAI的应用潜力。     

A comparison of empirical and neural network approaches for estimating corn and soybean leaf area index from Landsat ETM+ imagery

Plant foliage density expressed as leaf area index (LAI) is used in many ecological, meteorological, and agronomic models, and as a means of quantifying crop spatial variability for precision farming. LAI retrieval using spectral vegetation indices (SVI) from optical remotely sensed data usually requires site-specific calibration values from the surface or the use of within-scene image information without surface calibrations to invert radiative transfer models. An evaluation of LAI retrieval methods was conducted using (1) empirical methods employing the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and a new SVI that uses green wavelength reflectance, (2) a scaled NDVI approach that uses no calibration measurements, and (3) a hybrid approach that uses a neural network (NN) and a radiative transfer model without site-specific calibration measurements. While research has shown that under a variety of conditions NDVI is not optimal for LAI retrieval, its continued use for remote sensing applications and in analysis seeking to develop improved parameter retrieval algorithms based on NDVI suggests its value as a “benchmark” or standard against which other methods can be compared. Landsat-7 ETM+ data for July 1 and July 8 from the Soil Moisture EXperiment 2002 (SMEX02) field campaign in the Walnut Creek watershed south of Ames, IA, were used for the analysis. Sun photometer data collected from a site within the watershed were used to atmospherically correct the imagery to surface reflectance. LAI validation measurements of corn and soybeans were collected close to the dates of the Landsat-7 overpasses. Comparable results were obtained with the empirical SVI methods and the scaled SVI method within each date. The hybrid method, although promising, did not account for as much of the variability as the SVI methods. Higher atmospheric optical depths for July 8 leading to surface reflectance errors are believed to have resulted in overall poorer performance for this date. Use of SVIs employing green wavelengths, improved method for the definition of image minimum and maximum clusters used by the scaled NDVI method, and further development of a soil reflectance index used by the hybrid NN approach are warranted. More importantly, the results demonstrate that reasonable LAI estimates are possible using optical remote sensing methods without in situ, site-specific calibration measurements.     

Discrete return lidar-based prediction of leaf area index in two conifer forests

Leaf area index (LAI) is a key forest structural characteristic that serves as a primary control for exchanges of mass and energy within a vegetated ecosystem. Most previous attempts to estimate LAI from remotely sensed data have relied on empirical relationships between field-measured observations and various spectral vegetation indices (SVIs) derived from optical imagery or the inversion of canopy radiative transfer models. However, as biomass within an ecosystem increases, accurate LAI estimates are difficult to quantify. Here we use lidar data in conjunction with SPOT5-derived spectral vegetation indices (SVIs) to examine the extent to which integration of both lidar and spectral datasets can estimate specific LAI quantities over a broad range of conifer forest stands in the northern Rocky Mountains. Our results show that SPOT5-derived SVIs performed poorly across our study areas, explaining less than 50% of variation in observed LAI, while lidar-only models account for a significant amount of variation across the two study areas located in northern Idaho; the St. Joe Woodlands (R² = 0.86; RMSE = 0.76) and the Nez Perce Reservation (R² = 0.69; RMSE = 0.61). Further, we found that LAI models derived from lidar metrics were only incrementally improved with the inclusion of SPOT 5-derived SVIs; increases in R² ranged from 0.02–0.04, though model RMSE values decreased for most models (0–11.76% decrease). Significant lidar-only models tended to utilize a common set of predictor variables such as canopy percentile heights and percentile height differences, percent canopy cover metrics, and covariates that described lidar height distributional parameters. All integrated lidar-SPOT 5 models included textural measures of the visible wavelengths (e.g. green and red reflectance). Due to the limited amount of LAI model improvement when adding SPOT 5 metrics to lidar data, we conclude that lidar data alone can provide superior estimates of LAI for our study areas.     

融合遥感先验信息的叶面积指数反演

借助植被辐射传输模型，利用遥感观测数据估算LAI是一种较为可靠和稳健的反演方法。然而，地表的复杂性、遥感观测的有限性以及自相关性导致遥感数据包含的信息量不足，不能完全支持LAI等地表参数的估算，易造成“病态”反演。在遥感反演过程中引入先验知识能够有效地解决该问题。研究基于遥感数据提取LAI先验信息，并将其用于代价函数的构建，利用PROSAIL辐射传输模型和遗传算法，分别在500 m和250 m尺度反演LAI。将高空间分辨率LAI分别升尺度到500 m和250 m，验证对应尺度LAI结果，评价引入先验信息对于提高LAI反演精度的作用。研究表明，引入先验信息有助于提高不同分辨率下LAI反演精度，且先验信息的质量一定程度上也影响着LAI反演结果。与未加入先验信息的LAI反演结果相比，以MODIS LAI产品作为先验信息反演的500 m尺度LAI结果精度R²由0.55提高至0.65，RMSE由1.29下降至0.38。在250 m尺度，以500 m LAI反演结果作为先验信息反演的叶面积指数，其精度优于以MODIS LAI产品为先验知识的估算结果，验证精度R²增加了0.08，RMSE减少了0.18。研究使用的先验信息主要来自遥感数据本身，没有地面实测数据的参与，在此基础上发展的多分辨率LAI反演方法具有估算大区域尺度LAI的应用潜力。     

Parametric (modified least squares) and non-parametric (Theil-Sen) linear regressions for predicting biophysical parameters in the presence of measurement errors

Remote sensing often involves the estimation of in situ quantities from remote measurements. Linear regression, where there are no non-linear combinations of regressors, is a common approach to this prediction problem in the remote sensing community. A review of recent remote sensing articles using univariate linear regression indicates that in the majority of cases, ordinary least squares (OLS) linear regression has been applied, with approximately half the articles using the in situ observations as regressors and the other half using the inverse regression with remote measurements as regressors. OLS implicitly assume an underlying normal structural data model to arrive at unbiased estimates of the response. OLS regression can be a biased predictor in the presence of measurement errors when the regression problem is based on a functional rather than structural data model. Parametric (Modified Least Squares) and non-parametric (Theil-Sen) consistent predictors are given for linear regression in the presence of measurement errors together with analytical approximations of their prediction confidence intervals. Three case studies involving estimation of leaf area index from nadir reflectance estimates are used to compare these unbiased estimators with OLS linear regression. A comparison to Geometric Mean regression, a standardized version of Reduced Major Axis regression, is also performed. The Theil-Sen approach is suggested as a potential replacement of OLS for linear regression in remote sensing applications. It offers simplicity in computation, analytical estimates of confidence intervals, robustness to outliers, testable assumptions regarding residuals and requires limited a priori information regarding measurement errors.     

Leaf area index measurements in a tropical moist forest: A case study from Costa Rica

The role of tropical forests in sustainable development mechanisms and payments for environmental services is becoming increasingly important. Therefore, there is a greater need for accurate and detailed information about their biophysical characteristics (e.g., Leaf area index-LAI) along different stages of ecological succession. Remote sensing offers the possibility of providing relatively accurate estimations of such biophysical characteristics at a reasonable cost for most regional projects. The objectives of this study are to (1) document the variability of LAI in different stages of secondary growth in a tropical moist forest, (2) estimate LAI from spectral vegetation indices (SVIs), and (3) link LAI to the estimation of other canopy physiognomic characteristics. We found that segregation of LAI measurements by successional stage (early, intermediate, late) contributed to a better definition of the relationship between LAI and the SVIs. In addition, we conclude that the propagation of errors of precision through the SVI formulas must be taken into consideration along with intra-site and radiometric variability when uncertainty terms are calculated. From a linear regression analysis, we found that there is only a minimal difference between the nonparametric Theil-Sen and classical least-squares regressions. We also found that not only does the Lorentzian cumulative transition function describe the relationship between LAI and the SVIs, it also provides an estimate of the range of LAI values to which each index is sensitive.     

Retrieving leaf area index using a genetic algorithm with a canopy radiative transfer model

Leaf area index (LAI) is an important structural property of vegetation canopy and is also one of the basic quantities driving the algorithms used in regional and global biogeochemical, ecological and meteorological applications. LAI can be estimated from remotely sensed data through the vegetation indices (VI) and the inversion of a canopy radiative transfer (RT) model. In recent years, applications of the genetic algorithms (GA) to a variety of optimization problems in remote sensing have been successfully demonstrated. In this study, we estimated LAI by integrating a canopy RT model and the GA optimization technique. This method was used to retrieve LAI from field measured reflectance as well as from atmospherically corrected Landsat ETM+ data. Four different ETM+ band combinations were tested to evaluate their effectiveness. The impacts of using the number of the genes were also examined. The results were very promising compared with field measured LAI data, and the best results were obtained with three genes in which the R² is 0.776 and the root-mean-square error (RMSE) 1.064.     

Derivation of leaf area index for grassland within alpine upland using multi-temporal RapidEye data

Biophysical parameters such as leaf area index (LAI) are key variables for vegetation monitoring and particularly important for modelling energy and matter fluxes in the biosphere. Therefore LAI has been derived from remote sensing data operationally based on data with a somewhat coarse spatial resolution. This study aims at deriving high-spatial resolution (6.5 m) multi-temporal LAI for grasslands based on RapidEye data by statistical regressions between vegetation indices (VIs) and field samplings. However, the suitability of those data for grassland LAI derivation has not been tested to date. Thus, the potential of RapidEye data in general and its red edge band in particular are investigated, as well as the robustness of the established relationships for different points in time.

LAI was measured repeatedly over summer 2011 at about 30 different meadows in the Bavarian alpine upland using the LAI-2000 and correlated with VI values. The best relationships resulted from using the ratio vegetation index and red edge indices (NDVI_rededge, rededge ratio index 1, and relative length) in non-linear models. Thus the indices based on the red edge channel improved regression modelling. The associated transfer functions achieved R² values ranging from 0.57 to 0.85. The temporal transferability of those transfer functions to other dates was shown to be limited, with the root mean square errors (RMSEs) of several scenes exceeding one. However, when the LAI ranges are similar, a reliable transfer is possible: for example, the transfer of the regression function based on early autumn measurements showed RMSEs of only 0.77–0.95 for the other scenes except for the high-density stage in July, when the LAI reaches unprecedented maximal values. Also, the combination of multi-temporal training data shows no saturation of the selected indices and enables a satisfactory LAI mapping of different dates (RMSE = 0.59 – 1.02).     

An evaluation of EO-1 hyperspectral Hyperion data for chlorophyll content and leaf area index estimation

Estimation of chlorophyll content and the leaf area index (LAI) using remote sensing technology is of particular use in precision agriculture. Wavelengths at the red edge of the vegetation spectrum (705 and 750 nm) were selected to test vegetation indices (VIs) using spaceborne hyperspectral Hyperion data for the estimation of chlorophyll content and LAI in different canopy structures. Thirty sites were selected for the ground data collection. The results show that chlorophyll content and LAI can be successfully estimated by VIs derived from Hyperion data with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 7.20–10.49 μg cm^?2 for chlorophyll content and 0.55–0.77 m² m^?2 for LAI. The special index derived from three bands provided the best estimation of the chlorophyll content (RMSE of 7.19 μg cm^?2 for the Modified Chlorophyll Absorption Ratio Index/Optimized Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (MCARI/OSAVI₇₀₅)) and LAI (RMSE of 0.55 m² m^?2 for a second form of the MCARI (MCARI2₇₀₅)). These results demonstrate the possibilities for analysing the variation in chlorophyll content and LAI using hyperspectral Hyperion data with bands from the red edge of the vegetation spectrum.     

Assimilation of leaf area index derived from ASAR and MERIS data into CERES-Wheat model to map wheat yield

This study presents a method to assimilate leaf area index retrieved from ENVISAT ASAR and MERIS data into CERES-Wheat crop growth model with the objective to improve the accuracy of the wheat yield predictions at catchment scale. The assimilation method consists in re-initialising the model with optimal input parameters allowing a better temporal agreement between the LAI simulated by the model and the LAI estimated by remote sensing data. A variational assimilation algorithm has been applied to minimise the difference between simulated and remotely-sensed LAI and to determine the optimal set of input parameters. After the re-initialisation, the wheat yield maps have been obtained and their accuracy evaluated.The method has been applied over Matera site located in Southern Italy and validated by using the dataset of an experimental campaign carried out during the 2004 wheat growing season.Results indicate that, LAI maps retrieved from MERIS and ASAR data can be effectively assimilated into CERES-Wheat model thus leading to accuracies of the yield maps ranging from 360 kg/ha to 420 kg/ha.