Sader, Steven A. 1984. Thermal differences in reforested clearcuts and old growth forest on mountainous terrain using thermal infrared multispectral scanner data. [city unknown], MI: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Earth Resources Laboratory, National Space Technology Laboratories; Rep. 229. 34 p.
The objective of the investigation was to relate the Thermal InfraredMultispectral Scanner (TIMS) data to changes in green biomass levels exhibited
in recent and older clearcuts at N.J. Andrews Forest. An important part ofthe investigation was to isolate that portion of the thermal emission that
could be contributed to surface properties other than the vegetation biomass.A digital terrain data base (e.g., elevation, slope gradient, aspect) was gen-
erated for three experimental areas that represented the range of topographicvariation within the N.J. Andrews Forest while corresponding to the best avail-able site-specific ecological data.
Analysis of the TIMS data indicated that aspect and slope gradient had a
greater effect on the thermal emission recorded by the TIMS in younger re-
forested clearcuts than in older stands. Forest stands in older age classes
(>25 years) with higher green biomass and canopy closure had lower effectiveradiant temperatures (ERT) than younger, less densely vegetated stands while
aspect and slope had little effect on the ERT. Surface temperature recordedby TIMS at approximately 1:30 pm local time July 29, 1983 were nearly equalto maximum daily air temperature recorded at eight reference stands.
The investigation provided some insights into the utility of TIMS for de-tecting surface temperature differences related to forest composition andgreen leaf biomass in mountainous terrain.
1