Utility and limitations of hyper-spectral observations for carbon budget modelling in forest ecosystems.

This paper presents a preliminary evaluation of hyperspectral data to estimate the basic forest parameters, such as LAI, that are strictly related with the relevant rnain ecophysiological processes (i.e. photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, etc.). Additionally an application of these datato determine and quantify the carbon cycle of a pine forest has been performed. In particular, previously collected AISA images were processed and analysed to extract information on spatial LA1 variations within the study area and subsequently evaluated to determine their influence on the carbou budget assessment. The study area is a Mediterranean pine forest within the Park of San Rossore which was widely characterised during previous investigations. The results obtained showed that a correct assessment of forest carbon budget requires the correct estimation not only of ecophysiological parameters but also of forest strutture.