Grassland management and phenology affect trait retrieval accuracy from remote sensing observations

Maksim Iakunin, Franziska Taubert, Reimund Goss, Severin Sasso, Hannes Feilhauer, Daniel Doktor

Abstract: Highlights•Used machine learning to predict plant traits of differently managed grasslands.•An accurate prediction of leaf area index and pigments in intensive grasslands.•Model performance deteriorates in extensive, species-rich grasslands.•Assumption of a homogeneous canopy structure limits the prediction accuracy.•Potential for monitoring grassland management using hyperspectral data.