Geostatistical modeling and remotely sensed data to improve dendrometric variables prediction in Tectona grandis L. f. stand

Detailed knowledge of teak stand structure is necessary for sustainable management plans. The integration of remote sensing variables with geostatistical modeling in teak forest stands has not been sufficiently studied and, therefore, the aim was to model the spatial distribution of teak stand variables, adding covariables. The study was carried out on 19-year-old teak stand in Brazil with 213 hectares in the initial spatial of 3 m x 3 m. Geo-referenced plots of 900 m(2) were allocated, and forest variables were obtained after thinning. Vegetation indices were calculated from arithmetic operations conducted between the Landsat image bands. The interpolation of forest variables was performed by the geostatistical univariate method of ordinary kriging, as well as by the multivariate method of kriging with external drift, considering the remote sensing variables as covariables. Statistical analysis of remote sensing variables shows a weak linear correlation with teak variables, which tends to make them unviable to use as covariables in geostatistical modeling. However, kriging with external drift predicts spatial patterns of forest variables with greater detail, which results in lower possible smoothing errors than those obtained by ordinary kriging and provides more accurate recommendations for localized management in teak stand. The integration of remote sensing variables in forest inventory through geostatistics is advantageous for mapping the spatial distribution of teak stand variables.