Investigating the Relationship between Tree Species Diversity and Landsat-8 Spectral Heterogeneity across Multiple Phenological Stages

The emergence of the spectral variation hypothesis (SVH) has gained widespread attention in remote sensing community as a method for deriving biodiversity information from remotely sensed data. SVH states that heterogeneity on imagery reflects environmental heterogeneity, which turn is associated with high species diversity and, therefore, could be useful characterizing landscape biodiversity. However, effect phenology received relatively less despite being an important variable influencing plant responses. study investigated (i) relationship between and (ii) explored angle mapper (SAM), coefficient (CV) their interaction estimating diversity. Stratified random sampling was adopted to survey all tree diameter at breast height > 10 cm 90 × m plots distributed throughout site. Tree quantified by Shannon index (H?), Simpson (D2) richness (S). SAM CV were employed Landsat-8 data compute heterogeneity. applied linear regression models investigate metrics indices across four phenological stages. results showed end growing season most ideal stage diversity, following concept. During this period, (S, H?, D2) had r2 0.14, 0.24, 0.20, respectively, while 0.22, 0.25, respectively. improved H? D2 (from 0.24 0.25 0.32 0.28, respectively) season. two differential sensitivity components followed then lower S different Meanwhile, higher than other its remained similar. Although determination comparatively low, statistically significant (p < 0.05) supports assertion implemented characterize Importantly, application should consider choice metric line purpose since these relate differently vegetation phenology, affects