Sentinel-1/2 Time Series for Selective Logging Monitoring in Temperate Forests

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of Sentinel-1/2 time-series for monitoring selective logging in temperate forests. Ten stands were selectively logged with 5 to 28% of the existing growing stock volume being extracted. The analysis was focused on backscatter coefficient and surface reflectance changes for dates immediately prior and past the logging period. Monthly information on leaf area index (from terrestrial laser scanning) and vegetation water content (from destructive sampling) was used to support the analysis. The analysis suggested that monitoring selective logging using Sentinel-1/2 imagery is challenging in temperate montane forests due to a range of factors, including logging time and duration, saturation of C-band wavelength, and relatively small changes in canopy cover that cannot be reliably picked up by the optical sensor.