SUCCESSIONAL REFLECTANCE TRAJECTORIES IN NORTHERN TEMPERATE FORESTS

Reflectance change during a management rotation period in monospecific even-aged birch (Betula pendula), (B. pubescens) and pine (Pinus sylvestris) stands is described. Successional reflectance trajectories were fitted to airborne reflectance factor (RF) data for different ages of forest. Changes in RF during secondary succession were mainly directional as they were related to time after clearcutting. There was a monotonic decrease of 'Brightness'. No evidence of convergence or divergence of successional reflectance trajectories of forests from fertile and infertile sites was noted if the overstory was monospecific.