Possibility of assessing the renewal of forest vegetation after clear fellings using landsat satellite data (evidence from Bryansk polesie)

This paper considers remote sensing estimation of forest renewal in Suzemskoye forestry, Bryansk oblast. The objective was to study the possibility of assessing forest renewal on clear fellings through planting forest crops using the time series of vegetation indexes (NDVI and SWVI). The time series consists of cloud-free summer composite images based on Landsat data from 2002–2015. We used 2003 forest management plans and taxational descriptions of Kholmchenskoye forestry division which is part of Suzemskoye forestry as reference data. As a result, a linear relationship was obtained between the values of vegetation indexes, their time dynamics, and forest taxational characteristics (forest type, species composition, and age group). This enabled 80.1%-accurate detection of the forests regeneration if Steklyanskoye, Krasnoslobodskoye and Kokorevskoye forestry divisions, which are part of Suzemskoye forestry of Bryansk oblast. These forests were renewed after clear fellings. The results of this study can be used in practical forest management where the issue of monitoring reforestation and afforestation activities is highly relevant.