High resolution thermal and multispectral remote sensing for detecting devitalized trees in Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve

Researchers successfully demonstrated the use of high-resolution thermal and multispectral drone imaging to distinguish between healthy, devitalized, and dead oyamel trees (Abies religiosa) within the core zone of Mexico's Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. By integrating normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), surface temperature (ST), and temperature-vegetation dryness index (TVDI) with field data, the study achieved statistically significant differentiation among tree health levels. This marks the first application of such technology in Mexico for monitoring forest decline symptoms in oyamel populations, setting a methodological precedent for conservation efforts.

Guadarrama-León, R., Sáenz-Romero, C., Rosas-Chavoya, M., Méndez-Montiel, J. T., Lindig-Cisneros, R. A., Blanco-García, A., & Gallardo-Salazar, J. L. (2026). High resolution thermal and multispectral remote sensing for detecting devitalized trees in Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. Forest Systems, 34(2), 20940. https://doi.org/10.5424/fs/2025342-20940