Estimating Forest Leaf Area Index and Canopy Chlorophyll Content with Sentinel-2: An Evaluation of Two Hybrid Retrieval Algorithms

Estimates of biophysical and biochemical variables such as leaf area index (LAI) and canopy chlorophyll content (CCC) are a fundamental requirement for effectively monitoring and managing forest environments. With its red-edge bands and high spatial resolution, the Multispectral Instrument (MSI) on board the Sentinel-2 missions is particularly well-suited to LAI and CCC retrieval. Using field data collected throughout the growing season at a deciduous broadleaf forest site in Southern England, we evaluated the performance of two hybrid retrieval algorithms for estimating LAI and CCC from MSI data: the Scattering by Arbitrarily Inclined Leaves (SAIL)-based L2B retrieval algorithm made available to users in the Sentinel Application Platform (SNAP), and an alternative retrieval algorithm optimised for forest environments, trained using the Invertible Forest Reflectance Model (INFORM). Moderate performance was associated with the SNAP L2B retrieval algorithm for both LAI (r2 = 0.54, RMSE = 1.55, NRMSE = 43%) and CCC (r2 = 0.52, RMSE = 0.79 g m−2, NRMSE = 45%), while improvements were obtained using the INFORM-based retrieval algorithm, particularly in the case of LAI (r2 = 0.79, RMSE = 0.47, NRMSE = 13%), but also in the case of CCC (r2 = 0.69, RMSE = 0.52 g m−2, NRMSE = 29%). Forward modelling experiments confirmed INFORM was better able to reproduce observed MSI spectra than SAIL. Based on our results, for forest-related applications using MSI data, we recommend users seek retrieval algorithms optimised for forest environments.

• Publication year

  2019

• Venue

  Remote Sensing

• Publication date

  2019-07-25

• Fields of study

  Geology, Computer Science, Environmental Science

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.3390/RS11151752
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

• Source metadata

  Semantic Scholar

• No claims are published for this paper.

• No concepts are published for this paper.

• Caracterización fisiológica y bioquímica de cuatro genotipos de algodón (Gossypium hirsutum L.) en condiciones de déficit hídrico

  2020cited by this paper
• Validation of the Sentinel Simplified Level 2 Product Prototype Processor (SL2P) for mapping cropland biophysical variables using Sentinel-2/MSI and Landsat-8/OLI data

  2019cited by this paper
• Retrieval of crop biophysical parameters from Sentinel-2 remote sensing imagery

  2019cited by this paper
• Synergetic Exploitation of the Sentinel-2 Missions for Validating the Sentinel-3 Ocean and Land Color Instrument Terrestrial Chlorophyll Index Over a Vineyard Dominated Mediterranean Environment

  2019cited by this paper
• A Comparison of Hybrid Machine Learning Algorithms for the Retrieval of Wheat Biophysical Variables from Sentinel-2

  2019cited by this paper
• Mapping leaf chlorophyll content from Sentinel-2 and RapidEye data in spruce stands using the invertible forest reflectance model

  2019influential reference
• Capability of Sentinel-2 data for estimating maximum evapotranspiration and irrigation requirements for tomato crop in Central Italy

  2018cited by this paper
• Using Sentinel-2 Data for Retrieving LAI and Leaf and Canopy Chlorophyll Content of a Potato Crop

  2017cited by this paper
• Comparison of Sentinel-2 and Landsat 8 in the estimation of boreal forest canopy cover and leaf area index

  2017cited by this paper
• Copernicus Sentinel-2A Calibration and Products Validation Status

  2017cited by this paper
• Simple and robust methods for remote sensing of canopy chlorophyll content: a comparative analysis of hyperspectral data for different types of vegetation.

  2016cited by this paper
• Assessment of Red-Edge Position Extraction Techniques: A Case Study for Norway Spruce Forests Using HyMap and Simulated Sentinel-2 Data

  2016cited by this paper
• The potential of Sentinel-2 data for estimating biophysical variables in a boreal forest: a simulation study

  2016cited by this paper
• Data Service Platform for Sentinel-2 Surface Reflectance and Value-Added Products: System Use and Examples

  2016cited by this paper
• Spectral band selection for vegetation properties retrieval using Gaussian processes regression

  2016cited by this paper
• A Generic Algorithm to Estimate LAI, FAPAR and FCOVER Variables from SPOT4_HRVIR and Landsat Sensors: Evaluation of the Consistency and Comparison with Ground Measurements

  2015cited by this paper
• Estimating Forest fAPAR from Multispectral Landsat-8 Data Using the Invertible Forest Reflectance Model INFORM

  2015influential reference
• Experimental Sentinel-2 LAI estimation using parametric, non-parametric and physical retrieval methods - A comparison

  2015cited by this paper
• Mapping and assessment of forest ecosystems and their services : Applications and guidance for decision making in the framework of MAES

  2015cited by this paper
• Optical remote sensing and the retrieval of terrestrial vegetation bio-geophysical properties - A review

  2015cited by this paper
• OPERATIONAL 333m BIOPHYSICAL PRODUCTS OF THE COPERNICUS GLOBAL LAND SERVICE FOR AGRICULTURE MONITORING

  2015cited by this paper
• GEOV1: LAI and FAPAR essential climate variables and FCOVER global time series capitalizing over existing products. Part1: Principles of development and production

  2013cited by this paper
• Suitability and adaptation of PROSAIL radiative transfer model for hyperspectral grassland studies

  2013cited by this paper
• Evaluating the capabilities of Sentinel-2 for quantitative estimation of biophysical variables in vegetation

  2013cited by this paper
• Remote estimation of crop and grass chlorophyll and nitrogen content using red-edge bands on Sentinel-2 and -3

  2013cited by this paper
• Sentinel-2: ESA's Optical High-Resolution Mission for GMES Operational Services

  2012cited by this paper
• Remote Sensing of Environment

  2012influential reference
• Seasonal variation in MODIS LAI for a boreal forest area in Finland

  2012cited by this paper
• Inter-comparison of four models for smoothing satellite sensor time-series data to estimate vegetation phenology

  2012cited by this paper
• Optimal Exploitation of the Sentinel-2 Spectral Capabilities for Crop Leaf Area Index Mapping

  2012cited by this paper
• Vegetation Structure Retrieval in Beech and Spruce Forests Using Spectrodirectional Satellite Data

  2012influential reference
• Methodologies and Uncertainties in the Use of the Terrestrial Chlorophyll Index for the Sentinel-3 Mission

  2012cited by this paper
• Machine learning regression algorithms for biophysical parameter retrieval: Opportunities for Sentinel-2 and -3

  2012cited by this paper
• Mapping grassland leaf area index with airborne hyperspectral imagery : a comparison study of statistical approaches and inversion of radiative transfer models

  2011cited by this paper
• Evaluation of leaf area index estimated from medium spatial resolution remote sensing data in a broadleaf deciduous forest in southern England, UK

  2011cited by this paper
• Optimal modalities for radiative transfer-neural network estimation of canopy biophysical characteristics: Evaluation over an agricultural area with CHRIS/PROBA observations

  2011influential reference
• Retrieval of boreal forest LAI using a forest reflectance model and empirical regressions

  2011cited by this paper
• An assessment of the MODIS collection 5 leaf area index product for a region of mixed coniferous forest

  2011cited by this paper
• Retrieval of biophysical vegetation products from RapidEye imagery

  2010cited by this paper
• Terrestrial Gross Carbon Dioxide Uptake: Global Distribution and Covariation with Climate

  2010cited by this paper
• The ASTER spectral library version 2.0

  2009cited by this paper
• Experimental assessment of the Sentinel-2 band setting for RTM-based LAI retrieval of sugar beet and maize

  2009cited by this paper
• Identifying cost-effective indicators to assess the conservation status of forested habitats in Natura 2000 sites

  2008cited by this paper
• Inversion of a radiative transfer model for estimating vegetation LAI and chlorophyll in a heterogeneous grassland

  2008cited by this paper
• Multi-scale analysis and validation of the Envisat MERIS Terrestrial Chlorophyll Index (MTCI) in woodland

  2008cited by this paper
• Evaluating the relationship between leaf chlorophyll concentration and SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter readings

  2007cited by this paper
• Unified Optical-Thermal Four-Stream Radiative Transfer Theory for Homogeneous Vegetation Canopies

  2007influential reference
• LAI, fAPAR and fCover CYCLOPES global products derived from VEGETATION: Part 1: Principles of the algorithm

  2007cited by this paper
• Validation of global moderate-resolution LAI products: a framework proposed within the CEOS land product validation subgroup

  2006cited by this paper
• Inversion of a forest reflectance model to estimate structural canopy variables from hyperspectral remote sensing data

  2006influential reference
• Improved monitoring of vegetation dynamics at very high latitudes: A new method using MODIS NDVI

  2006cited by this paper
• Neural network estimation of LAI, fAPAR, fCover and LAI×Cab, from top of canopy MERIS reflectance data : Principles and validation

  2006cited by this paper
• Leaf optical responses to light and soil nutrient availability in temperate deciduous trees.

  2005cited by this paper
• A Continuous Satellite-Derived Measure of Global Terrestrial Primary Production

  2004cited by this paper
• Review of methods for in situ leaf area index determination Part I. Theories, sensors and hemispherical photography

  2004influential reference
• Calibration of the Minolta SPAD-502 leaf chlorophyll meter

  2004cited by this paper
• Review of methods for in situ leaf area index (LAI) determination: Part II. Estimation of LAI, errors and sampling

  2004cited by this paper
• Retrieval of canopy biophysical variables from bidirectional reflectance Using prior information to solve the ill-posed inverse problem

  2003cited by this paper
• VALERI: a network of sites and a methodology for the validation of medium spatial resolution land satellite products

  2003cited by this paper
• Ground-based measurements of leaf area index: a review of methods, instruments and current controversies.

  2003cited by this paper
• Monitoring vegetation phenology using MODIS

  2003cited by this paper
• Global products of vegetation leaf area and fraction absorbed PAR from year one of MODIS data

  2002cited by this paper
• Inversion methods for physically‐based models

  2000cited by this paper
• Investigation of a model inversion technique to estimate canopy biophysical variables from spectral and directional reflectance data

  2000cited by this paper
• Long-term change in growth, mortality and regeneration of trees in Denny Wood, an old-growth wood-pasture in the New Forest (UK)

  1999cited by this paper
• Seasonal variation of leaf chlorophyll content of a temperate forest. Inversion of the PROSPECT model

  1999cited by this paper
• Synergistic algorithm for estimating vegetation canopy leaf area index and fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active

  1998cited by this paper
• Modeling the Exchanges of Energy, Water, and Carbon Between Continents and the Atmosphere

  1997cited by this paper
• A Revised Land Surface Parameterization (SiB2) for Atmospheric GCMS. Part II: The Generation of Global Fields of Terrestrial Biophysical Parameters from Satellite Data

  1996cited by this paper
• Estimation of leaf area index from transmission of direct sunlight in discontinuous canopies

  1986cited by this paper
• A formula for average foliage density

  1967influential reference
• Progress in Physical Geography Remote Sensing Recent Developments in Estimating Land Surface Biogeophysical Variables from Optical

  year unknowncited by this paper

• Assessing Effects of Drought and Urbanization on Urban Trees Using Sentinel-2 Time Series

  2026cites this paper
• Spatiotemporal variability of leaf functional traits in central European floodplain forests: integrating in-situ, hyperspectral, and Sentinel-2 data with RTM, PLSR, and neural networks

  2026cites this paper
• Retrieving forest LAI from Landsat via 3D look-up table generated by realistic LiDAR scenes

  2026cites this paper
• National mapping of wetland vegetation leaf area index in China using hybrid model with Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 data

  2026cites this paper
• Appraising retrieval schemes from spaceborne hyperspectral imagery for mapping leaf and canopy traits in forest ecosystems

  2026cites this paper
• Quantifying evapotranspiration and shading cooling of urban vegetation across climates under extreme heat using an integrated SCOPE-SEB model and surface temperature analysis

  2026cites this paper
• Linking drought indices and climatic variables to leaf area index dynamics using ground-based observations (2019–2024) in the broad-leaved Hyrcanian forests of Iran

  2026cites this paper
• Testing the accuracy and transferability of remotely sensed biomass models across heterogeneous grasslands

  2026cites this paper
• Guiding VI selection for phenology monitoring: Differential sensitivity of vegetation indices to temporal dynamics in canopy leaf area and pigment

  2026cites this paper
• Validation of Sentinel-2 simplified level 2 prototype (SL2P) processor in retrieving leaf chlorophyll concentration over dusty environment

  2026cites this paper
• The Hybrid Retrieval of Leaf Anthocyanin Content Using Four Machine Learning Methods

  2025cites this paper
• Estimation of rice yield using multi-source remote sensing data combined with crop growth model and deep learning algorithm

  2025cites this paper
• On the consistency and stability of vegetation biophysical variables retrievals from Landsat-8/9 and Sentinel-2

  2025cites this paper
• Evaluation of Low-Cost Multi-Spectral Sensors for Measuring Chlorophyll Levels Across Diverse Leaf Types

  2025cites this paper
• Landscape Canopy Chlorophyll and Nitrogen Content Retrieval from EnMAP Hyperspectral Image

  2025cites this paper
• An RTM-Driven Machine Learning Approach for Estimating High-Resolution FAPAR From LANDSAT 5/7/8/9 Surface Reflectance

  2025cites this paper
• Separating leaf area index from plant area index using semi-supervised classification of digital hemispheric canopy photographs: A case study of dryland vegetation

  2025cites this paper
• Dimensionality optimized machine learning retrieval of canopy chlorophyll, nitrogen, and phosphorus from google satellite embeddings

  2025cites this paper
• Assessment of vegetation indices for estimating leaf chlorophyll content in sparse canopies

  2025cites this paper
• Validation of Multi-Scale LAI Products in Heterogeneous Terrain-Based UAV Images

  2025cites this paper
• Estimation of vegetation biophysical and biochemical parameters using satellite optical remote sensing: a review of methods, sensors and study areas

  2025cites this paper
• Empirical models for estimating total chlorophyll content in sugarcane using hyperspectral reflectance and Sentinel-2 imagery

  2025cites this paper
• Spatio-Temporal Gap Filling of Sentinel-2 NDI45 Data Using a Variance-Weighted Kalman Filter and LSTM Ensemble

  2025cites this paper
• A Hierarchical Path Planning Framework of Plant Protection UAV Based on the Improved D3QN Algorithm and Remote Sensing Image

  2025cites this paper
• GROUNDED EO: Data-driven Sentinel-2 LAI and FAPAR retrieval using Gaussian processes trained with extensive fiducial reference measurements

  2025cites this paper
• Sandıras dağlık kütlesi orman yetişme ortamı birimlerinin ayrılması üzerine araştırmalar

  2025cites this paper
• Monitoring functional traits of complex temperate forests using Sentinel-2 data during a severe drought period.

  2024cites this paper
• Assessing tea plantations biophysical and biochemical characteristics in Northeast India using satellite data

  2024cites this paper
• Evidence of a bias-variance trade off when correcting for bias in Sentinel 2 forest LAI retrievals using radiative transfer models

  2024cites this paper
• Phenospectral similarity as an index of ecological integrity

  2024cites this paper
• Retrieval of Crop Canopy Chlorophyll: Machine Learning vs. Radiative Transfer Model

  2024cites this paper
• Hyperspectral Leaf Area Index and Chlorophyll Retrieval over Forest and Row-Structured Vineyard Canopies

  2024influential citation
• Monitoring mangrove traits through optical Earth observation: Towards spatio-temporal scalability using cloud-based Sentinel-2 continuous time series

  2024cites this paper
• Estimating Mangrove Leaf Area Index from Sentinel-2 Imagery Using Inform Radiative Transfer Model

  2024cites this paper
• Multi-decadal temporal reconstruction of Sentinel-3 OLCI-based vegetation products with multi-output Gaussian process regression

  2024cites this paper
• Estimation of Urban Tree Chlorophyll Content and Leaf Area Index Using Sentinel-2 Images and 3D Radiative Transfer Model Inversion

  2024cites this paper
• Using GEDI as training data for an ongoing mapping of landscape-scale dynamics of the plant area index

  2023cites this paper
• Development of the grass LAI and CCC remote sensing-based models and their transferability using sentinel-2 data in heterogeneous grasslands

  2023cites this paper
• The role of remote sensing in tropical grassland nutrient estimation: a review

  2023cites this paper
• Hyperspectral estimation of chlorophyll content in jujube leaves: integration of derivative processing techniques and dimensionality reduction algorithms

  2023cites this paper
• Generating high spatial resolution GLASS FAPAR product from Landsat images

  2022cites this paper
• Maize Yield Estimation in Intercropped Smallholder Fields Using Satellite Data in Southern Malawi

  2022cites this paper
• A Hybrid Leaf Area Index Estimation Method of Dioscorea Polystachya Turczaninow Using Sentinel-2 Vegetation Indices

  2022cites this paper
• Multisensor Assessment of Leaf Area Index across Ecoregions of Ardabil Province, Northwestern Iran

  2022cites this paper
• Linking Land Use and Plant Functional Diversity Patterns in Sabah, Borneo, through Large-Scale Spatially Continuous Sentinel-2 Inference

  2022cites this paper
• Evaluation of Hybrid Models to Estimate Chlorophyll and Nitrogen Content of Maize Crops in the Framework of the Future CHIME Mission

  2022cites this paper
• Improving leaf chlorophyll content estimation through constrained PROSAIL model from airborne hyperspectral and LiDAR data

  2022cites this paper
• Hybrid retrieval of crop traits from multi-temporal PRISMA hyperspectral imagery.

  2022cites this paper
• Quantifying mangrove leaf area index from Sentinel-2 imagery using hybrid models and active learning

  2022cites this paper
• Improving leaf area index estimation accuracy of wheat by involving leaf chlorophyll content information

  2022cites this paper
• Evaluation of Sentinel-3A and Sentinel-3B ocean land colour instrument green instantaneous fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation

  2022cites this paper
• Modeling leaf area index using time-series remote sensing and topographic data in pure Anatolian black pine stands

  2022cites this paper
• Validation of LAI, chlorophyll and FVC biophysical estimates from sentinel-2 level 2 prototype processor over a heterogeneous savanna and grassland environment in South Africa

  2022cites this paper
• Validation of baseline and modified Sentinel-2 Level 2 Prototype Processor leaf area index retrievals over the United States

  2021cites this paper
• Deriving Leaf Area Index Reference Maps Using Temporally Continuous In Situ Data: A Comparison of Upscaling Approaches

  2021cites this paper
• Spectral subdomains and prior estimation of leaf structure improves PROSPECT inversion on reflectance or transmittance alone

  2021cites this paper
• Towards a massive sentinel-2 LAI time-series production using 2-D convolutional networks

  2021cites this paper
• Explaining discrepancies between spectral and in-situ plant diversity in multispectral satellite earth observation

  2021cites this paper
• Retrieving vegetation biophysical parameters and GPP using satellite-driven LUE model in a National Park

  2021cites this paper
• Assessment of Sentinel-2 Images, Support Vector Machines and Change Detection Algorithms for Bark Beetle Outbreaks Mapping in the Tatra Mountains

  2021cites this paper
• Towards scalable estimation of plant functional diversity from Sentinel-2: In-situ validation in a heterogeneous (semi-)natural landscape

  2021cites this paper
• Improving the Retrieval of Forest Canopy Chlorophyll Content From MERIS Dataset by Introducing the Vegetation Clumping Index

  2021cites this paper
• Comparison of Crop Trait Retrieval Strategies Using UAV-Based VNIR Hyperspectral Imaging

  2021cites this paper
• Synergy of Sentinel-2A and Near-proximal sensor data for deriving biochemical parameters of paddy at different growth stages

  2021cites this paper
• A data-driven approach to estimate leaf area index for Landsat images over the contiguous US

  2021cites this paper
• Species Distribution Modelling performance and its implication for Sentinel-2-based prediction of invasive Prosopis juliflora in lower Awash River basin, Ethiopia

  2021cites this paper
• Tracking forest biophysical properties with automated digital repeat photography: A fisheye perspective using digital hemispherical photography from below the canopy

  2020cites this paper
• Assessment of Workflow Feature Selection on Forest LAI Prediction with Sentinel-2A MSI, Landsat 7 ETM+ and Landsat 8 OLI

  2020cites this paper
• Evaluation of Global Decametric-Resolution LAI, FAPAR and FVC Estimates Derived from Sentinel-2 Imagery

  2020influential citation
• Evaluation of global leaf area index and fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation products over North America using Copernicus Ground Based Observations for Validation data

  2020cites this paper
• Retrieval of Leaf Area Index Using Sentinel-2 Imagery in a Mixed Mediterranean Forest Area

  2020cites this paper
• Optimizing Empirical and Hybrid Modeling for Advanced Canopy Chlorophyll and Nitrogen Retrieval Technique Using EnMAP Data

  year unknowncites this paper