A Pixel Based Regeneration Index using Time Series Similarity and Spatial Context

Although the regeneration index based on control plots provides a valuable tool to quantify fire impact and subsequent vegetation regrowth, the practical implementation at large scale levels remains limited due to the need for detailed reference maps. The objective of this research therefore was the development of an image-based selection approach for control pixels based on time series similarity (TSS). The TSS approach allows the computation of a per-pixel regeneration index on regional to global scale without the need for reference maps. Evaluation of the control plot selection approaches based on un-burnt focal pixels confirmed the validity of the TSS approach and showed optimal results for the TSSRMSD approach with x = 4 and N-T = 8 due to beneficial averaging effects and minimal window size effects. As such, the effects of spatial heterogeneity and noise are minimized and a preliminary quality indicator can be derived.