1. This paper presents an analysis of spectral reflectance factors (350-2300 nm) and fractional covers of understory from 36 boreal forest stands in Finland.
2. The study showed that the understory has specific spectral features related to the site fertility type and fractional cover, suggesting that remote sensing can be used to differentiate forest site fertility types and estimate understory green fractional cover in northern European boreal forests.
3. The collected data are openly available in an open data repository for further research.
The article is generally reliable and trustworthy, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the relationships between understory spectra and fractional cover in northern European boreal forests. The authors have conducted a thorough analysis of the data collected from 36 boreal forest stands, which is sufficient to draw meaningful conclusions about the topic at hand. Furthermore, the authors have made their data openly available in an open data repository for further research, which adds to its trustworthiness.
However, there are some potential biases that should be noted when considering this article. Firstly, the study was conducted only in Finland, so it may not be applicable to other regions with different climates or vegetation types. Secondly, while the authors have provided evidence for their claims regarding the relationship between understory spectra and fractional cover, they do not explore any counterarguments or alternative explanations for these findings. Finally, while the authors provide a comprehensive overview of their findings, they do not discuss any potential risks associated with using remote sensing to monitor understory vegetation in northern European boreal forests.