Isaev A. S., Chernen'kova T. V. The Uniqueness of the Contemporary Stage of Forest Remote Sensing in Russia
Centre for Problems of Ecology and Productivity of Forests, Russian Academy of Sciences
Profsoyuznaya str., 84/32, Moscow, 117997 Russian Federation
Abstract
How to cite: Isaev A. S., Chernen'kova T. V. The uniqueness of the contemporary stage of forest remote sensing in Russia // Sibirskij Lesnoj Zurnal (Siberian Journal of Forest Science). 2015. N. 5: 26–41 (in Russian with English abstract).
DOI: 10.15372/SJFS20150502
© Isaev A. S., Chernen'kova T. V., 2015
This paper reflects the planetary role of Russian forests in formation of vegetation biodiversity, providing resource and ecosystem services as well as maintaining human-friendly environment. It depicts the history and framework of biodiversity monitoring of Russian boreal forests on the basis of remote sensing and ground-based data. The framework is based on a conceptual approach of biodiversity investigation taking into account the spatial-temporal dynamic and current forest state. The emphasis is put on the originality of the modern stage of forest cover assessment using remote sensing data - the most important component of information management of regional natural and anthropogenic forest dynamics. The application of advanced quantitative methods of GIS-technologies through analysis of satellite data and digital elevation model (DEM) in order to determine the genetic, spatial and temporal relationships between typological diversity and environmental factors enables to develop a new approach for the study of multidimensional spatial differentiation of forest cover. Local data interpolation during the ground research at upper scale levels using spectral satellite imagery processing and quantitative methods makes it possible to save important information on the structure and vegetation properties. Several examples of forest typological inventory at the federal, regional and local levels are provided. The system of indicators aimed at practical application of forestry and environmental management at the regional level, developed in this paper, helps identify qualitative changes in forest cover under the influence of climatic and anthropogenic factors and develop appropriate measures to maintain the necessary level of forest biodiversity of the territory.