Publications

Tao, X, Yan, BY, Wang, K, Wu, DH, Fan, WJ, Xu, XR, Liang, SL (2009). Scale transformation of Leaf Area Index product retrieved from multiresolution remotely sensed data: analysis and case studies. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF REMOTE SENSING, 30(20), 5383-5395.

Abstract
Climate and land-atmosphere models rely on accurate land-surface parameters, such as Leaf Area Index (LAI). It is crucial that the estimation of LAI represents actual ground truth. Yet it is known that the LAI values retrieved from remote sensing images suffer from scaling effects. The values retrieved from coarse resolution images are generally smaller. Scale transformations aim to derive accurate leaf area index values at a specific scale from values at other scales. In this paper, we study the scaling effect and the scale transformation algorithm of LAI in regions with different vegetation distribution characteristics, and analyse the factors that can affect the scale transformation algorithm, so that the LAI values derived from a low resolution dataset match the average LAI values of higher resolution images. Using our hybrid reflectance model and the scale transformation algorithm for continuous vegetation, we have successfully calculated the LAI values at different scales, from reflectance images of 2.5m and 10m spatial resolution SPOT-5 data as well as 250m and 500m spatial resolution MODIS data. The scaling algorithm was validated in two geographic regions and the results agreed well with the actual values. This scale transformation algorithm will allow researchers to extend the size of their study regions and eliminate the impact of remote sensing image resolution.

DOI:
10.1080/01431160903130978

ISSN:
0143-1161