Title : High-resolution green: Challenges and opportunities in the use of vegetation indices for landscape-scale conservation
Abstract:
This talk explores the advances and current limitations in the use of vegetation indices derived from remote sensing for the analysis, monitoring, and conservation of natural ecosystems. With a focus on tropical landscapes and fragmented habitats, the presentation will highlight practical examples of how indices such as NDVI, EVI, SAVI, NBR, and MSI can be used to infer patterns of vegetation health, water stress, fire impact, and edge effects at multiple spatial scales. In addition to multispectral imagery, the integration of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology will be addressed as a powerful tool to assess vertical vegetation structure, biomass, and canopy complexity. LiDAR's synergy with traditional vegetation indices allows for a more comprehensive understanding of ecosystem dynamics, especially in studies related to carbon stocks and functional responses of vegetation to anthropogenic pressures. The presentation will also discuss the potential of these tools to inform conservation planning and environmental management strategies, while reflecting on key challenges such as spatial-temporal resolution, ecological interpretation of remote signals, and the need for field validation. The aim is to provide an inspiring and critical perspective on how high-resolution data can be translated into meaningful ecological knowledge for biodiversity conservation.
