OPEN ACCESS
NFM, Volume 40: 71–78.
Subject review
https://doi.org/10.5552/nms.2019.7

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Abstract

From the very beginning of the development of remote sensing, humans have been trying to create a tool to study the Earth’s dynamic surface and its phenomena. With the advancement of technology, first for the military and then for research purposes, sensors have been developed to collect data by recording the electromagnetic spectrum (multi and hyperspectral). From the moment they became available for civilian use, the potential benefits of using hyperspectral data became apparent. The development of hyperspectral systems followed the development of computer technologies and the progress of software for processing a large number of collected data.

Nowadays, hyperspectral sensors are increasingly being used for various purposes: ecosystem study, atmosphere, climate, hydrology, mineral exploitation, land use, land cover, and vegetation. Thanks to the wide variety of information they provide, hyperspectral sensors have large application potential in environmental monitoring and management. Also, they help to improve management and better decision-making at early problem defining.

The first application of hyperspectral sensors in Croatian forestry relates to the European Community program of 2005, when the first imaging with a line hyperspectral scanner was conducted. Within the conducted imaging, the first spectral curves of Silver fir and White berried mistletoe were separated. On the basis of this separation, for the first time, the difference between these two species was established. In other words, hyperspectral imagery was used to distinguish shrubs of semi-parasitic species within the host canopy. Also, procedures for large-area imaging were defined.

Key words: hyperspectral sensors, forestry, spectral signatures