Comparison of remote sensing-based indices for ash vitality detection in North-East Germany

The north-East of Europe is affected by the ash (Fraxinus excelsior) dieback caused by the fungal pathogen Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus. A great variety of studies utilize remote sensing data and subsequently derived spectral indices to estimate the magnitude and spatial distribution of the damage for different tree types. 

Often, structural indices, such as the NDVI are applied to detect already affected tree (sometimes even for early detection). However, there are differences in the suitability of an index. While a structural index, might have advantages when the canopy is not closed, pigment-based indices can show more variation within a full crown coverage forest. Therefore, the season of data acquisition might define the preferred index-selection. The same accounts not just for seasonal but for inter-annual changes, too. Here, the pigment indices show a higher sensitivity towards changes due to damages than structural indices.

To show these differences, the presented study is evaluating a variety of indices derived by hyperspectral imagery for affected ash trees in north-east Germany. This includes images from different phenological stages within one year (2015) and a comparison between 2011, 2015, and 2019 because the decline increased severely within this timespan for the observed trees. The indices were compared with tree damage estimations from the regional forest administration. 

Preliminary results show a better relation for structural indices in autumn, but higher relation for pigment-based indices in spring and summer, once the crown is closed. A higher sensitivity to changes between 2011 and 2019 can be shown for pigment-based indices.