Using time series of aerial photography and very high resolution satellite imagery for modelling of woody species spreading
Abstract
Spreading of forests and shrubs in abandoned landscape is a common trend in many European countries. This study combines historical and recent aerial photography for monitoring changes in a fully abandoned landscape in an unused part of military area in Czech Republic.
The study site is 2x2,5 km large and all management is restricted since 1953. The former rural landscape of fields, meadows and few forests changed into a mosaic of shrubs, forests and few grasslands.
Linear mixed effects models based on orthorectified, object oriented classified imagery from each decade show faster spreading of trees and shrubs along forest edges, steep slopes and in valleys, influence of former landuse is still significant. Using high-resolution satellite data from World-View 2, we classify hawthorn, broad-leaved trees and conifers and we test algorithms based on all four multispectral bands to separate more broad-leaved species and make the model species specific.
Hawthorn is a main pioneer species in this area and knowledge of its recent extent combined with the historical development helps us to model the change more accurately. Final model could help to predict changes on a landscape scale, plan management practices in similar areas and effectively protect diversity.