The workgroup is in cooperation with the Argus Geo Systém company  operating the airborne hyperspectral sensor AISA Eagle, acquiring image data in visible and near-infra red part of the electromagnetic spectra.

The main focus of our research is the physically based retrieval of biophysical and biochemical parameters of vegetation from hyperspectral remote sensing image data. The quantitative parameters of interest, representing also bio-indicators of the actual vegetation state, are currently mainly leaf area index (LAI) and total concentration of  green photosynthetically active pigments (chlorophyll a+b). We are capable to estimate the indicated bio-parameters from remote sensing data of high spatial resolutions by means of radiative transfer modelling at the leaf (PROSPECT model) and crown/canopy (DART model) level. Our current objective is to adopt and scale these approaches up to the satellite remote sensing data of coarser spatial resolution. The pilot ecosystems are montane forest stands of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.). Our next scientific interest would focus on possibilities to use air- and space-borne remote sensing for observation of the vegetation florescence.