THE NORMALIZED DIFFERENCE VEGETATION INDEX IN THE STUDY OF THE PHENOLOGY AND SPECIES COMPOSITION OF SIBERIAN FORESTS

Abstract

Results of an experiment for using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), computed from NOAA/AVHRR images with a resolution of 8 and 1 km for studying the phenology, structure, and species composition of the taiga forests of Siberia are presented. A study is made of NDVI dynamics on the basis of 10-day values, characterizing the principal phases of the seasonal development of the forest: green wave, peak of increase in phytomass, brown wave, and leafless state. A reliable determination of the species composition of forests in two groups—coniferous and broadleaf—is possible.