Application of remote sensing images to the investigations of the changes of permafrost environment in burned forest regions, Da Hinggan Ling, China

From the indications of aerial and satellite images, the authors made a field investigation on the typical burned forest area and established interpretation signs about the degree of burned forest, types of vegetation species, and vegetation recovery. The results are as follows: 1. After the forest fire of May 6, 1987, the forest environment of slightly and moderately burned areas has approximately recovered. 2. The recovering plants in burned areas in the 1960s, 1970s and 1900s are mainly Larix gmelinii and Pinus sylvestris mingled with broad-leaved forests. 3. The effects caused by the forest fire on the permafrost environment is obvious. There is a warming effect which affects the occurrence of plant species and the vegetation growth period which can be seen in TM remote sensing images. The warming effects decrease with depth