Methods of studying the optical properties of landscapes

The definition and systematization of dynamical changes and temporal variants of geosystems, comparative analysis and typological classification of geosystems based on the nature and totality of their conditions present one of the central problems in landscapes dynamics and the most important aspect of dynamic modelling problem. Currently, spectral characteristics of geosystems obtained by remote sensing techniques can be used in the study of landscape areas dynamic processes with considerable success, as the integrated value. The study of the landscapes properties on the basis of their optical properties was carried out in the test section of the Kursk aerospace polygon that includes Streletski site of the Central Chernozem V.V. Alekhin state biospheric natural reserve, a site of Kursk biospheric station and agribusinesses Panino. It included spectral and phytometric measurements in soil-vegetation cover by land and from the aircraft AN-2. Measurements of spectral characteristics with simultaneous obtaining of digital colour image in RJB channels and parameters of soil and vegetation cover in the mode in-situ were carried out on the experimental sites located in three areas of protected steppes with natural vegetation and different modes of nature use: not mowed, mowed, grazing; as well as agricultural systems with different crops. The spectral characteristics of images were obtained with photospectroscopic system FSS-M1 and the spectroradiometer of the FSR–M. Vegetation samples were taken from the experimental sites for further processing in laboratory conditions. In chamber conditions total phytomass and phytomass fractions (leaves, stems, stalks, flowers) were measured. The leaf area and the projected area of the plants were calculated. The results of simultaneous ground-based and flight measurements are recorded in the field book (after treatment, in a specially designed book in Excel) to create the database and conduct further analysis.