Possibilities of using the meteor-m satellite images for determining quantitative and qualitative forests characteristics

The paper highlights opportunities of Meteor-M satellite survey data application to identify quantitative and qualitative characteristics of forests. The studies are based on a great amount of fieldwork material - data of 419 sample plots established in Arkhangelsk, Vologda, Kostroma, Moscow, and Novosibirsk regions, the Republic of Udmurtia and Altay territory. Sample plots (SP) are survey interpretation plots (SIP) with coordinate reference where forest characteristics were determined using relascopic plot and fixed radius circular plot methods. Thereafter, for each SIP forest spectral characteristics data base was shaped and served as a background to identify correlations of tree species pattern, standing volume, relative forest density, and number of trees with spectral reflective characteristics. The study findings showed an opportunity of applying Meteor-M winter survey data to recognize forest species, standing volume, forest density, and tree quantity within the accuracy range according to the 3rd forest management category. Considering the above, the methods used in this research may be recommended for evaluating qualitative and quantitative forest characteristics in remote and hard-to-reach areas.