Researchers explore novel approach to map forest dieback in satellite images

Forests and woodlands cover one third of Earth's surface and play a critical role in carbon sequestration, water regulation, timber production, soil protection, and biodiversity conservation. Accelerated by climate change, the decline of these and other key forest ecosystem services is caused by various biotic and abiotic disturbances. Among them, insect infestations and disease outbreaks can induce massive tree dieback and significantly disrupt ecosystem dynamics.