Multitemporal satellite data in forest mapping around Istanbul

This paper describes a methodology for stand type mapping of a selected forest area using satellite-borne remote sensing interpretation techniques. The methodology is being developed as STCLSD (Stand Type Classification from Landsat-TM and SPOT Satellite Data) project, in the, Remote Sensing Laboratory at the Civil Engineering Faculty of Technical University of Istanbul. Which is approximately 8000 hectares. The main input data are Landsat-TM (Thematic Mapper) and SPOT images from different dates. Digital multispectral (TM and SPOT) data were corrected as radiometricly and geometrically, recorded and co-registered for a part of forest area around Istanbul which are called Tayakadin and Samlar. Matrix overlay analysis was then used to combine forest inventory data collected on the sample plots distributed on the study area by means of the integrated software system (ERDAS). The STCLSD project have being supported by the Science and Technical Research Council of Turkey (STRCT). The main aim of the project is to present, to what extend is possible of construction of stand type mapping for forest management planning and national base forest inventory. Satellite images can be used for different purposes in the scope of forest resources inventories such as site classification, forest functions mapping and vegetation types definition.