S.S. Shinkarenko, S.A. Bartalev. Estimability of the density of protective forest plantations based on the bi-seasonal forest index and UAV survey materials // Current issues of Earth remote sensing from space. 2023. V. 20. No.1. Pp. 189-202. DOI: 10.21046/2070-7401-2023-20-1-189-202.
Abstract: Protective forest plantings (PFP) play an important role in preventing the degradation of agricultural landscapes, but due to reaching the age limit, a significant part of the PFP is in poor condition. Current methods for assessing the density of landfills, often serving as a criterion for their preservation, are very labor-intensive, as they are based on expert interpretation of ultra-high-resolution aerospace survey data, the use of topographic maps, plans, and field surveys using satellite geopositioning devices. The article presents the possibilities of determining the density of forest cover using the Bi-Seasonal Forest Index according to Sentinel 2 data and aerial photography materials. Based on the analysis of a dense point cloud obtained from the aerial photography materials, the canopy of trees and shrubs was identified, after which the canopy density values were compared with BSFI data. BSFI index values are calculated based on radiometrically normalized monthly NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) composites for June–August and the maximum albedo of annual winter composites for the period 2019–2022. A regression relationship between BSFI and density was established, the coefficient of determination of which amounted to 0.86, and the root-mean-square error – to 14.5%. The use of the obtained results in real practice will significantly reduce the volume of surface surveys of contaminants to determine their safety.