The segmentation of reflectances from moderate resolution remote sensing data for the retrieval of land cover specific leaf area index [Elektronische Ressource] / vorgelegt von Marko Braun

The Segmentation of Reflectances from Moderate Resolution Remote Sensing Data for the Retrieval of Land Cover Specific Leaf Area Index Dissertation an der Fakultät für Geowissenschaften der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München vorgelegt von: Marko Braun aus Augsburg Eingereicht im März 2007 1. Gutachter: Prof. Dr. Wolfram Mauser 2. Gutachter: Prof. Dr. Friedrich Wieneke Tag der mündlichen Prüfung: 19. Juli 2007 Freedom from the desire for an answer is essential to the understanding of a problem. Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895-1986) iv Summary Summary Moderate resolution optical remote sensing sensors bare the potential of imaging the entire globe multiple times a day. They provide one of the most fundamental tools to monitor the earth’s surface on a regular, operational basis as their measurements are used to derive surface properties such as albedo, surface cover and leaf area. With spatial resolution of a few hundred meters to a kilometer they capture the vital signs of the earth and provide insight into processes and changes of an ever more changing planet. While this type of monitoring devices deliver invaluable information on regional and global scales, many facets of ecosystem dynamics take place on spatial extent smaller than what these devices may capture.