Integration of Remote Sensing and GIS to Forest and Grassland Ecosystem Monitoring (Second Edition)

Dear Colleagues,

Forests and grasslands are two of our planet's most vital ecosystems, providing a multitude of critical ecosystem services that underpin environmental health and human well-being. These services include erosion control, climate regulation, nutrient cycling, raw material provision, forage production, habitat for diverse species, and recreational opportunities. Under the combined effects of natural factors and human disturbances, forest and grassland ecosystems are constantly evolving. With advancements in remote sensing and GIS technology, the efficiency, level, and scientific decision-making processes of forest and grassland ecosystem monitoring have been significantly enhanced. Effectively monitoring and understanding these ecosystems is essential for informed decision making and conservation efforts. This Special Issue focuses on the “Integration of Remote Sensing and GIS to Forest and Grassland Ecosystem Monitoring.” It aims to explore the latest advancements in these technologies and their applications in managing and preserving these invaluable ecosystems.

Our goal is to collect state-of-the-art research that showcases the innovative use of remote sensing and GIS for monitoring forest and grassland ecosystems. We welcome contributions that investigate various aspects, from monitoring changes in forest and grassland vegetation structures and functions, assessing land cover changes, tracking biodiversity, and quantifying carbon sequestration, to monitoring wildfire events and improving the sustainability of forest and grassland management practices.

We invite researchers, scientists, and professionals to submit original research papers and review articles that explore the integration of remote sensing and GIS technologies in the monitoring and management of forest and grassland ecosystems. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Advanced remote sensing techniques: The use of cutting-edge remote sensing technologies, such as hyperspectral, LiDAR, and synthetic aperture radar (SAR), for precise ecosystem monitoring.
• Vegetation dynamic monitoring: Monitoring dynamic changes in forest and grassland ecosystem structure and function.
• Biodiversity assessment: The application of remote sensing and GIS in biodiversity assessment, habitat modelling, and conservation efforts.
• Land cover and land use change: Investigations into land cover and land use changes in forest and grassland ecosystems and their environmental consequences.
• Carbon sequestration: Studies on carbon sequestration estimation and its relation to climate change mitigation in these ecosystems.
• Ecosystem degradation/health and resilience: Papers focusing on assessing ecosystem degradation, health and resilience using remote sensing indicators, as well as their driving mechanisms.
• Wildfire and disturbance monitoring: Research on monitoring wildfires, disturbances, and post-fire recovery in these ecosystems

Prof. Dr. Xiuchun Yang
Dr. Francois Girard
Dr. Cong (Vega) Xu
Prof. Dr. Yungang Cao
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Remote Sensing is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.