Spatial variations of spectral indexes in burnt areas of different South-America regions

Abstract

The present work is directed to the analysis of the variation of the spectral response shown in burnt areas of different South-America regions. The obtaining of the spectral information has been done using MODIS images (MCD43), within burnt area perimeters previously extracted by means of visual interpretation of higher spatial resolution images (Landsat and CBERS). The study has used two burnt area indices (NBR and BAI) and auxiliary information of vegetation and climate. Results shown that vegetation variables explain in a better way the indices variations in the different burnt areas. In general, it was observed that groups within more forested areas shown the highest values in the burnt area indices.