Optical Remote Sensing of Boreal Forests

Dear Colleagues,

Boreal forests (or taiga) are the world's largest terrestrial biome and represent one third of the world's forest cover. Warming in the boreal and neighboring Arctic region is projected to be substantially above the global average, a trend consistent with both model projections and observations. The spatial distribution, structure and composition of vegetation in the boreal zone are expected to undergo significant changes during the coming decades due to climate change. On the other hand, vegetation in the boreal zone will also impact the global climate through its role in carbon cycles and global radiation balance. Remote sensing has a great potential to track the status of boreal forests, yet a number of challenges remain as well.

This Special Issue is dedicated to providing an overview of the advances that have been made in remote sensing of the boreal forest zone. We welcome papers that use optical remote sensing data from boreal forests and its bordering ecotones

1. to retrieve biophysical properties of vegetation,
2. to develop and apply physically-based remote sensing methods,
3. to monitor phenological events, forest fires or long-term vegetation trends,
4. to develop and validate satellite-based data products for monitoring forests,
5. to measure and analyze narrowband or broadband spectral in situ data from northern vegetation.

Contributions may address any geographic area of the boreal region.

Prof. Miina Rautiainen
Dr. Jan Pisek
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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