Studying the relations between different satellite image data and stand parameters (Bartin-Mugada case study)

In this study, relationships between stand parameters as a result of the measurements made in natural beech experimental areas and remote sensing data were investigated.Information regarding forest property is needed for almost all of the planning and decision making procedures in forestry applications. For this reason, it is important to know the statistical characteristics of stand parameters. This information is very useful in order to speed up forestry applications and for their proper sustainability.Also in this study, the relationships between stand parameters and remote sensing data were tested by using three different satellite screen data and different vegetation indices. For this, Pearson correlation coefficient, regression analysis method for the development of a model and multi linear regression models were used.As the study area, the watershed in Mugada and its vicinity where natural beech (Fagus orientalis L.) stands are predominantly available was chosen. Diameter at breast height, tree height and volume components correlate strongly (0,70 ? R ? 0,80) and medium (0,60 ? R ? 0,70) with Tasselled Cap Transform (greenness), Leaf Area Index, Fraction of Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FPAR), Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) and Principal Components Analysis (PCA1) formed using Landsat 7 ETM+ image data. When the relations between SPOT HR-VIR and ASTER VNIR image data and stand parameters were examined, it was determined that only canopy component had relations in different levels. To estimate the stand parameters by making use of the relations between stand parameters by making use of the relations between stand parameters and remote sensing data multiple linear regression models were formed using stepwise regression analysis method. The models developed for small sampling parcels were applied for the whole study area. As the resulting product, spatial distribution images were obtained concerning diameter at breast height, tree height, volume and canopy.