CCD CBERS AND ASTER DATA IN DASOMETRIC CHARACTERIZATION OF Pinus radiata D. Don (NORTH-WESTERN SPAIN)

A Chinese-Brazilian Earth Resources Satellite (CBERS) and an Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) scenes coupled with ancillary georeferenced data and field survey were employed to examine the potential of the remote sensing data in stand basal area, volume and aboveground biomass assessment over large areas of Pinus radiata D. Don plantations in Northwestern Spain. Statistical analysis proved that the near infrared band and the shade fraction image showed significant correlation coefficients with all stand variables considered. Predictive models were accordingly selected and utilized to undertake the spatial distribution of stand variables in radiata stands delimited by the National Forestry Map. The study reinforces the potentiality of remote sensing techniques in a cost-effective assessment of forest systems.