Open-source multispectral remote sensing data for the investigation of plant communities

In the article the possibilities of the multispectral remote sensing data to study the plant communities are shown. The usage of open-source data in visual and infrared spectral bands is considered. The possible ways to receive free satellite images in different resolutions, the main methods of their analysis as well as the characteristics and the area of application of these images are presented. The information is specified with the examples of the projects realized at the GIS-Lab and Forest Unit of Greenpeace Russia.