Hyperspectral Data-Based Waveform Parameters Response for Forest Leaf Area Index

This study is an attempt to evaluate the responses of different waveform parameters towards the Leaf Area Index (LAI) in forests system using canopy spectral simulation model PROSAIL. Spectral measurements from space-based platform (Hyperion EO-1 data) were employed to get some of the waveform parameters for the similar analysis. Groundbased LAI and chlorophyll variability were taken as input in PROSAIL model. LAI range used for PROSAIL-based spectral simulation was 0.076 m²/m² to 7.00 m²/m² and chlorophyll range was 10 μg cm⁻² to 110 μg cm⁻². PROSAIL modelled spectral reflectance has shown high R² for the LAI and waveform parameters. Similarly, Hyperion channels have also shown significant correlation (p=0.01) between LAI and waveform parameters, however, less as compared with the modelled spectra. Newly developed slope parameter (Slope_836–858) has showed potential in estimating high LAI values with the explanation of 72% variability in LAI for Hyperion-based spectral measurement and 99% variability for PROSAIL modelled spectral measurement. With these results, we may conclude that hyper spectral measurements based waveform parameters may be applied for LAI estimation and support the environmental sustainability due to its non-destructive nature.