Mapping conifer understory within boreal mixedwoods from Landsat TM satellite imagery and forest inventory information

Information about conifer understory within deciduous-dominated mixed-wood stands would increase the possible range of management options for these co mplex communities, yet cost-effective and accurate inventory methods remain elusive. Maps of conifer understory produced from field-checked photo inte rpretation were compared with classified images created from Landsat Themat ic Mapper data and two image classifiers. The highest accuracy achieved was 71% using on evidential reasoning classifier that integrated satellite rem ote sensing observations with stand inventory information. The image map di d provide an advantage by capturing some of the spatial variability of coni fer understory that is not captured by photo interpretation methods, predic ting the presence and spa tial distribution of conifer understory is diffic ult because its establishment is influenced by many factors such as ecosite , available substrate, distance to seed source and mechanisms of recruitmen t that are not typically available in spatial formats. The image maps are c onsidered estimates that may be suitable for broad strategic planning, and may serve as validation information for national satellite land cover mappi ng initiatives.