Satellite Monitoring of Sayan Mountain Forest Ecosystems
New approach to use remote sensing data of low and moderate spatial resolution is suggested for forest cover mapping and for its seasonal monitoring. The researches of forest structure and dynamics are conducted on three test sites of the Western and Eastern Sayan mountains since 1960. Satellite remote data for the territory (NOAA/AVHRR and TERRA/Modis imagery) are available for 1996 - 2009. After description of the data base the features of different forest zones and formations are shown in context of their identification and spectral characteristics changing during phenological seasons. Specification of mountain forest zones with different potential composition is important for forest management and monitoring on regional and local levels.