When can we detect lianas from space? Toward a mechanistic understanding of liana-infested forest optics.

ABSTRACT: Lianas, woody vines acting as structural parasites of trees, have profound effects on the composition and structure of tropical forests, impacting tree growth, mortality, and forest succession. Remote sensing could offer a powerful tool for quantifying the scale of liana infestation, provided the availability of robust detection methods. We analyze the consistency and global geographic specificity of spectral signals-reflectance across wavelengths-from liana-infested tree crowns and forest stands, examining the underlying mechanisms of these signals. We compiled a uniquely comprehensive database, including leaf reflectance spectra from 5424 leaves, fine-scale airborne reflectance data from 999 liana-infested canopies, and coarse-scale satellite reflectance data covering 775 ha of liana-inf

SUBMITTER: Visser MD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12035525 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature