This paper represents a review of the use of coarse spatial resolution satellite data, mainly NOAA-AVHRR, for forest cover mapping and monitoring all over the globe. Information about the sensor’s utility in respect of this application, appropriate scales, differentiation of forest classes, coverage (global, tropical, regional, national, etc.), accuracy of the results, integration with high spatial resolution results and problems/constraints in use, are all discussed.
Other programmes that have used this instrument for forest mapping and monitoring (i.e. TREES, IGBP, FAO and other regional programmes) are reported on, and a brief review of the applicability of new coarse spatial resolution data (e.g. VEGETATION, ATSR) is also presented.
