Research Article

Linking climate variability to forest canopy structure using multi-sensor remote sensing and machine learning

Volume: 8 July 3, 2026

Linking climate variability to forest canopy structure using multi-sensor remote sensing and machine learning

Abstract

Forests play a vital role in carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and climate regulation. However, changing environmental conditions, including variations in precipitation, temperature, and soil properties, significantly impact tree physiology and forest dynamics. This study aims to evaluate the potential of machine learning models in predicting canopy height, a key indicator of forest structure, using remote sensing data. Four models Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, and Gradient Boosting Trees (GBT) were tested under multiple scenarios incorporating Sentinel-2, Landsat 8, and Landsat 9 imagery. Predictor variables included Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), precipitation, land surface temperature (LST), soil moisture, population density, elevation, slope, aspect, albedo, and CO concentration. The study area, located south of Shaver Lake in Fresno, California, represents a dynamic forest ecosystem vulnerable to climatic variability. Results indicate that RF and GBT models achieved the highest predictive accuracy (R² = 0.66 and 0.63, respectively) with Sentinel-2 data, while CART and SVM performed less effectively, especially with Landsat 9 data. These findings emphasize the importance of selecting appropriate remote sensing datasets for tree physiology assessments. Future research should explore multi-source data fusion and advanced hybrid modeling approaches to improve forest monitoring and sustainable management.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, Remote Sensing

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 3, 2026

Submission Date

March 26, 2026

Acceptance Date

May 25, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8

APA
Uyar, N., & Uyar, A. (2026). Linking climate variability to forest canopy structure using multi-sensor remote sensing and machine learning. Turkish Journal of Remote Sensing, 8. https://doi.org/10.51489/tuzal.1909286
AMA
1.Uyar N, Uyar A. Linking climate variability to forest canopy structure using multi-sensor remote sensing and machine learning. TJRS. 2026;8. doi:10.51489/tuzal.1909286
Chicago
Uyar, Nehir, and Azize Uyar. 2026. “Linking Climate Variability to Forest Canopy Structure Using Multi-Sensor Remote Sensing and Machine Learning”. Turkish Journal of Remote Sensing 8 (July). https://doi.org/10.51489/tuzal.1909286.
EndNote
Uyar N, Uyar A (July 1, 2026) Linking climate variability to forest canopy structure using multi-sensor remote sensing and machine learning. Turkish Journal of Remote Sensing 8
IEEE
[1]N. Uyar and A. Uyar, “Linking climate variability to forest canopy structure using multi-sensor remote sensing and machine learning”, TJRS, vol. 8, July 2026, doi: 10.51489/tuzal.1909286.
ISNAD
Uyar, Nehir - Uyar, Azize. “Linking Climate Variability to Forest Canopy Structure Using Multi-Sensor Remote Sensing and Machine Learning”. Turkish Journal of Remote Sensing 8 (July 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.51489/tuzal.1909286.
JAMA
1.Uyar N, Uyar A. Linking climate variability to forest canopy structure using multi-sensor remote sensing and machine learning. TJRS. 2026;8. doi:10.51489/tuzal.1909286.
MLA
Uyar, Nehir, and Azize Uyar. “Linking Climate Variability to Forest Canopy Structure Using Multi-Sensor Remote Sensing and Machine Learning”. Turkish Journal of Remote Sensing, vol. 8, July 2026, doi:10.51489/tuzal.1909286.
Vancouver
1.Nehir Uyar, Azize Uyar. Linking climate variability to forest canopy structure using multi-sensor remote sensing and machine learning. TJRS. 2026 Jul. 1;8. doi:10.51489/tuzal.1909286

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