title: Satellite-based indices in the analysis of land cover for municipalities in the province of Siena, Italy.
abstract: Territorial indicators based on the satellite measured reflected or emitted energy can provide valuable information on the spatial evolution of a territory. Information regarding land use, biomass coverage and radiant temperature were obtained from remotely obtained measurements for each municipality in the Province of Siena. Remotely sensed data were combined into different indices to compare characteristics of land cover between territories and create an information base for continued study. A classification was performed on a municipal level and land use classes were grouped together and a general index of use pressure was created. A vegetation index was used to compare biomass densities. A radiant temperature index was calculated using measure thermal infrared emissions. The results of these analyses allowed researchers to examine the intra and inter-municipal spatial heterogeneity within the Province. A comparison between the results of each index was made and the problems related to the use of such indices were examined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biosystems Sciences, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 1, 53100 Siena, Italy. focardis@unisi.it
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Focardi
authors.forename: Steven A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Loiselle
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mazzuoli
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bracchini
authors.forename: Arduino M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Dattilo
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rossi
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D007558:Italy; D063245:Plant Development