Development and validation of AVHRR-derived regional forest cover data for the north-eastern U.S.

Abstract

As part of developing the geographic information system (GIS) to support a north-eastern U.S. regional forest change modelling effort, we investigated the utility of several sources of AVHRR data in regional forest cover mapping. Single-date classified Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) imagery in combination with existing USGS Land Use/Land Cover data was used to create a forest cover database that encompassed eastern New York state and all of New England. The USGS EROS Data Center Conterminous U.S. Land Cover Characteristics database was also evaluated for comparison. Statistical analysis showed that the AVHRR-derived regional land cover datasets provided estimates of total forest area that were comparable to U.S. Forest Service county level estimates. The AVHRR imagery recorded after leaf fall appeared to enhance the discrimination of coniferous vs. deciduous forests.