Remote Estimation of Land Surface Temperature for Different LULC Features of a Moist Deciduous Tropical Forest Region

Abstract

Potential of Landsat TM thermal sensor is investigated to retrieve land surface temperature (LST) using spectral index (NDVI), spectral radiance and surface emissivity for a moist deciduous tropical forest area of Munger forests (Bihar, India). Surface emissivity values derived from NDVI are directly used for LST estimation. LST varies spatially due to the complexity of land surface cover features and helps in land-use/land-cover profiling. Areas covered with vegetation show minimum temperatures; while barren and exposed land shows high values. Built-up land generally has higher LST, but when dispersed in small pockets in the forests, the LST value decreases as revealed in the results.