Scale dependency in remote sensing

Scale dependence of canopy trait distributions along a tropical forest elevation gradient

Depending on scale of the interest, different approach is needed. For elevation gradient, plot level remote sensing is more relevant. Of course, foliar traits distribution was closer to normal distribution at plot level than leaf level. It proves that normal distribution assumption is realistic in modeling. Different from cropland, leaves in tree crown were not normally distributed. At large scale, however, leaves in forest are also assumed to have normal distribution.

Reference

Asner, G. P., Martin, R. E., Anderson, C. B., Kryston, K., Vaughn, N., Knapp, D. E., ... & Tupayachi, R. (2017). Scale dependence of canopy trait distributions along a tropical forest elevation gradient. New Phytologist, 214(3), 973-988.