ID: 57516
Title: Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) habitat in the forests of north Bilaspur forest division, Chhattisgarh
Author: H S Bargali, Naim Akhtar and N P S Chauhan
Editor: Dr P P Bhojvaid
Year: 2012
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 138, No 10, October 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The Forestry
Keywords: Sloth bear, habitat model, North Bilaspur, remote-sensing and geographical information system
Abstract: The practical way of identifying potential habitat of a species is to have a thorough examination of land use patterns (e.g. natural forests, plantations, water bodies, road network, human habitations, etc) in an area from the remotely sensed data. The framework of a species habitat suitable model also envisage to ascertain features such as compact forest blocks especially those along the couses of the least fragmentation, smallest stretches of dicontinuity and of the adjacent poorly covered forests communicating with the large blocks for gene flow and terrain, availability of forage and water in such areas specifically, during dry season and its distance from the human habitations with a view to ascertain its amenability to revival besides least biotic interferences. We, therefore, incorporated all such variables into our habitat suitability model for sloth bear (Melursus ursinus). A statistically desirable proportion of sloth bear geographic locations based on direct sighting during the course of study were randomly selected and were laid over the spatial layers so as to generate potential available habitat for sloth in North Bilaspur Forest Division. Logistic regression model was used to develop the probability distribution map.
Location: TE 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57515
Title: Occurrence of olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) solitary nests and their future conservation implications in Gahirmatha Rookery, Odisha, India
Author: Satykaranjan Behera, K Sivakumar, B C Choudhury, B Tripathy and C S Kar
Editor: Dr P P Bhojvaid
Year: 2012
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 138, No 10, October 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The Forestry
Keywords: Olive ridley turtle, Lepidochelys olivacea, solitary nest, hatchery, hatching success, conservation, depredation
Abstract: The current study on olive ridley turtles was undertaken from 2007 to 2010 in Gahirmatha rookery of Odisha coast especially during their breeding season. Entire period of study the solitary nest and their predation and erosion level wee studied in Islands as well as mainland beach. All successful nests were taken to nearest beat and translocated into temporary made hatchery. Total 3,046 solitary nests had been encountered in three years period of study. Out of 3,046 only 294 were translocated in hatchery and remaining nest were destroyed by predation, erosion and inundation in the field itself. The mean hatching success rate was 54.7% in three years of study. As soon as turtles start laying upon the nest; they become vulnerable to predation.
Location: TE 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57514
Title: Cultural and conservation values of sacred groves of Kerala, India
Author: U M Chandrashekara
Editor: Prof Brij Gopal
Year: 2011
Publisher: National Institute of Ecology, Vol 37, No 3, September 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Ecological dimensions, floristic composition, forest degradation, management strategy, stakeholder analysis, socio-cultural dimensions, village landscape, Western ghats
Abstract: A study was conducted in twenty eight sacred groves in Kerala to document their socio-cultural and ecological values, identify location-specific threats and conservation and sustainable management options for each grove. The total area of groves ranged from 0.04 ha to 24.0 ha. In majority of the groves, area occupied by the vegetation was more than 76% of the total area of the grove. While most of the sacred groves were surrounded by thecrop lands, some were bordered by highly degraded forest lands and barren lands. Many sacred groves held water resources in the form of ponds, streams or wells. These water bodies, in many sacred groves play important ecological roles by providing water for organisms living in and around the groves. Out of 670 angiosperm species recorded, 76 species are endemic to the southern Western Ghats, 37 to the Western Ghats and the remaining 21 to the peninsular India. Majority of the sacred groves are associated with female deities and devotees dedicated offerings, generally agricultural products, for the fulfilment of their wish. Festivals and performing arts related to different sacred groves were documented. Even though some restrictions existed, women participate in the traditional activities, conservation and day-to-day management of many sacred groves. Among twelve major threats faced by sacred groves, dumping of solid wastes, trespassing, illegal collection and removal of small fallen timbers and other forest products were prominent. Altogether 26 management strategies were recognized for the conservation and protection of these sacred groves. Even though the social barrier is more appropriate, in the present day socio-cultural context, it is suggested that physical barriers such as fencing and compound wall are needed to protect sacred groves till the attitude of stakeholders towards sacred groves becomes positive. The need for a Sacred Grove Biodiversity Network (SGBN) to document and organise comprehensive programme of maintaining biodiversity is also highlighted.
Location: TE 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57513
Title: Tree species composition, diversity, and regeneration patterns in undisurbed and disturbed forest of Barak valley, South Assam, India
Author: Nepolion Borah and S C Garkoti
Editor: Prof Brij Gopal
Year: 2011
Publisher: National Institute of Ecology, Vol 37, No 3, September 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Basal Area, Density, distribution, disturbance, diversity, seedlings, tropical forest
Abstract: Database on occurrence and distribution of floral species provides information for prioritizing sites in terms of biodiversity values and management. The effect of human disturbances on species diversity is an issue that has engaged the attention of ecologist for last several decades both from theoretical and applied standpoitns. Present study was conducted to examine effect of human disturbance in forst species composition, diversity and regeneration in four tropical forests in Barak Valley, Assam. A total of 137 species were recorded in this study. Cynometra polyandra was dominant species in both the undisturbed forests (IVI values 20.1 and 27.8, respectively in Innerline undisturbed reserve forest (IRUF) and Barak undisturbed reserve forest (BRUF). In Inner line disturbed reserve forest (IRDF) Tetrameles nudiflora (IVI 36.8) and Barak disturbed reserve forest (BRDF) Artocarpus chama (IVI 19.9) were dominant the species. The results revealed that in undisturbed forest, 42-46% of the quadrats had less than 5 species while in the disturbed forest stand it is seen than 72 to 86% plots had less than 5 species. The Shannon Weaver diversity index (H) was higher in undisturbed forests (1.6 and 1.77, respectively in IRUF and BRUF) compared to disturbed forests (1.46 in IRDF and 1.52 in BRDF). The basal area and tree density in undisturbed forest stands found higher than that of disturbed forest stand. Majority of the species (91.84% to 95.65%) were contagiously distributed in all four forest stand. All the forests of the present study showed reversed J-shaped density distribution curves, 31-45% of total species were recorded in sapling stage. The density and basal area of saplings were higher in undisturbed forests than that of disturbed forests. Dominance distribution curves for all the sites fit the geometric series which confirms to the niche preemption hypothesis.
Location: TE 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57512
Title: Effectof heavy metals on morphology, growth and pigment contents fo microalgae isolated from industrial effluents
Author: Jyothi Miranda and Krishnakumar G
Editor: Prof Brij Gopal
Year: 2011
Publisher: National Institute of Ecology, Vol 37, No 3, September 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Carotenoids, Chroococcus multicolouratus, chrlorophyll-a, Cr6+, Cu2+, Oscillatoria laete-virens, Oscillatoria trichoides, Oedogonium sp., Pb2+
Abstract: The microalgae Oscillatoria laete-virens (Grouan) Gomont, Osicllatoria trichoides Szafer, Chroococcus multicolouratus Wood and Oedogonium sp. isolated from industrial wastewater, were studied for their resistance to three metal ions, Pb2+,Cr6+, and Cu2+. The effect of different concentrations of these metals on morphology, growth and photosynthetic pigment contents was studied. Metals inhibited the growth in a dose dependent manner. Chlorophyll-a and carotenoid contents decreased with increasing metal concentrations. The growth of these microalgae was severely inhibited by Cu2+ compared to Cr6+ and Pb2+. The order of resistance to metals in terms of growth and pigment contents was Pb2+>Cr6+>Cu2+. Lethal concentration (LC50 for 288 hr) values also indicated that the tested microalgae are more vulnerable to Cu2+ than Cr6+ and Pb2+.
Location: TE 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57511
Title: Indigenous knowledge of water management, biodiversity conservation and local development in rural India: A case study of the Thanagazi region (Rajasthan, India)
Author: Maria Costanza Torri and Thora Martina Herrmann
Editor: Prof Brij Gopal
Year: 2011
Publisher: National Institute of Ecology, Vol 37, No 3, September 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Traditional knowledge, water, Johads, India
Abstract: Traditional irrigation, as part of the ancient agricultural practices in Inida has persisted for long time since the past. The main objective of this paper is thus to investigate the peculiarities pertinent to traditional irrigation management in Rajasthan, India. The experience gained from such areas can definitely help make irrigation management system of new irrigation schemes sustainable. Based on the study case of Thanagazi region, Rajasthan, the article seeks to demonstrate that this form of traditional knowledge has been determinant in enhancing the conservation of the local ecosystem and also the development of rural communities dwelling in that area. The article develops this understanding through the examination of the johads and their impact on local comunities. It shows how this traditional water harvesting tradition fits into the local ecological, socio-economic and cultural system present in the Thanagazi region. The main peculiarities that contributed to the persistence of traditional irrigation system are also identified, and they are: the presence of a system which is easily mastered by the local members of communities, the presence of communally constructed local rules, locally designed hydraulic control structures, ownership feeling of the irrigators and equity in water distributions, the culture for mobilizing communal resources and the culture of self-initiating local water management strategies. Lessons on the role of traditional water harvesting system and their role in promoting conservation and sustainable development are finally drawn.
Location: TE 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57510
Title: The application of reductive methods to study complex-and complex- adaptive systems in Ecology
Author: Kees Hulsman, Gurudeo Anand Tularam and Graham Willett
Editor: Prof Brij Gopal
Year: 2011
Publisher: National Institute of Ecology, Vol 37, No 3, September 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Ecology, Emergent properties, epistemic reduction, level-specific rules, level-invariant rules, Life sciences, methodological reduction, Ontological reduction, physical sciences
Abstract: In this paper, we focus on how to use reduction to understand natural phenomena better. Natural phenomena occur in physical and living systems. Hierarchial physical systems are best represented as Complex Systems (CS), and living ones as Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS). CS and CAS differ in one important way. CAS can adapt by learning or evolving, whereas CS cannot. Any CAS is governed by a mix of level-invariant and leve-specific rules, whereas CS has only level-invariant ones. Level-specific rules give rise to adaptive behaviour and affect the utility of reduction. There are three based types of reduction: ontological, epistemic and methodological. Although biology cannot be reduced to physics and chemistry, all three reductive types have an important role to play in studying biological systems. Ontological reduction can help identify structural components at each level of a system, but not necessarily their functional relationships. This limitation arises when level-specific - rules and the information they generate are lost in the reductive process. Epistemic reduction meets the same limitation. The problem with methodological reduction is not knowing beforehand how many mechanisms produce the same outcome. To avoid this limitation, one must remain cognisant of level-specific rules and the information they supply. CAS should be studied by combining reduction and integration. First, use ontological reduction to identify the structural components at each level, second, use epistematic and /or methodological reduction, and third, use integration iteratively to reveal how components interact. This iterative top-down and bottom-up approach keeps the phenomenon in the context in which it occurs.
Location: TE 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57509
Title: Adoption of improved beehive technology for poverty alleviation in Northern Ethiopia
Author: Gidey Yirga, bethelahem Koru, Dawit Kidane and Alem Mebrahatu
Editor: Prof Brij Gopal
Year: 2011
Publisher: National Institute of Ecology, Vol 37, No 3, September 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Adoption, beekeeping, traditional beehives, Modern beehives
Abstract: Bee-keeping is emerging as an important tool for alleviating poverty in rural areas of Ethiopia. This study was conducted in Asgede Tsimbla district, northern Ethiopia to investigate determinants of improved beehive adoption, financial benefits and gender involvement in bee-keeping. A total of 1000 beekeepers (500 adopters and 500 non adopters) were randomly selected for structured interview from five sub districts. As was expected when the age of respondents increase, adoption of improved beehive decreases. The mean age of household head for adopters and non-adopters was 45.2 and 47.9 years, respectively. They were statistically significantly different (p<0.0001). The average family size was 6 and 5 persons for adopters and non-adopters with average years of beekeeping experience of 17 and 11, respectively. High yield, quality honey, ease for inspection and harvesting of products were the major relative advantages while high cost, need of high skill and accessories, and unavailability of the technology were the main relative disadvantages. The district had a total of 10,185 honey bee colonies 7,099 and 3,086 were kept in traditional and modern bee hives, respectively with a potential total annual income of about US$ 1,047,541. Traditional and modern beehives contributed 45.6% and 54.4% of the potential annual income, respectively. Age, family size, education level, beekeeping experience and farmer perception of the technology were found to positively and significantly influence adoption decision of improved beehive. The total benefit obtained from improved beehives exceeds the benefit from traditional hive by more than twice. Encouraging increased use of modern bee-hives and more women to participate in beekeeping and need based training to develop experienced and skilled experts are recommended.
Location: TE 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57508
Title: Supervised change detection in VHR images using contextual information and support vector machines
Author: Michele Volpi, Devis Tuia, Francesca Bovolo, Mikhail Kanevski, Lorenzo Bruzzone
Editor: F D van der Meer
Year: 2012
Publisher: Elsevier, Vol 20, February 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation
Keywords: Change detection, support vector machines, graylevel co-occurrence matrix, mathematical morphology, very high resolution
Abstract: In this paper we study an effective solution to deal with supervised change detection in very high gemoetrical resolution (VHR) images. High within-class variance as well as low between-class variance that characterize this kind of imagery make the detection and classification of ground cover transitions a difficult task. In order to achieve high detection accuracy, we propose the inclusion of spatial and contextual information issued from local textual statistics and mathematical morphology. To perform change detection, two architectures, initally developed for medium resolution images, are adapted for VHR: DIrect Multi-date Classification and Difference Image Analysis. To cope with the high intra-class variability, we adopted a nonlinear classifier: the Support Vector Machines (SVM). The proposed approaches are successfully evaluated on two series of pansharpened QuickBird images.
Location: TE 12, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57507
Title: Analysis of position time series of GPS-DORIS co-located stations
Author: Sofinae Khelifa, Salem Kahlouche, Mohamed Faouzi Belbachir
Editor: F D van der Meer
Year: 2012
Publisher: Elsevier, Vol 20, February 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation
Keywords: GPS, DORIS, Station coordinates, Time series analysis, Discrete wavelet transform, Allan variance
Abstract: We analyse the weekly time series of position residuals of 10 GPS-DORIS (Global Positioning System-Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Intergrated by Satellite) co-located stations in order to evaluate the spectral content of the observed nonlinear station motion. We have used the discrete wavelet transform to extract trends and seasonal signals, and the Allan variance to characterise the residual noise which allows to evaluate the positioning stability of stations.
The GPS-DORIS co-located time series were produced using the GIPSY/OASIS II software, referred to ITRF2005 and expressed in the local geodetic reference frame. The wavelet analysi has revealed useful nonlinear trends, annual and semi-annual signals contained in the studied time series. For GPS time series, the amplitude of the annual signal is around 1.5 adn 2.9 mm in the horizontal (North and East) and Vertical components respectively, and the semi-annual signal shows amplitude around 0.8, 1.3 and 2.3 mm in the North, East and Vertical components, respectively. For DORIS time series, the annual and semi-annual signals show amplitudes of around 4-6 mm in the three components.
However, after having removed the trends, annual and semi-annual signals, the slope of the Allan variance graph shows for GPS position time series, a combination of a low flicker noise and dominant white noise in the all three components, while for DORIS time series, the white noise is more frequent in the three components. The noise level, defiend by the Allan deviation for the one-year sampling time, is smaller than 3 and 5 mm in the three components for GPS and DORIS time series, respectively.
Location: TE 12, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57506
Title: Mapping post-fire forest regeneration and vegetation recovery using a combination of very high spatial resolution and hyperspectral satellite imagery
Author: George H Mitri, Ioannis Z Gitas
Editor: F D van der Meer
Year: 2012
Publisher: Elsevier, Vol 20, February 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation
Keywords: Forest regeneration, vegetation recovery, very high spatial resolution imagery, hyperspectral imagery, object-based classification
Abstract: Careful evaluation of forest regeneration and vegetation recovery after a fire event provides vital information useful in land management. The use of remotely sensed data is considered to be especially suitable for monitoring ecosystem dynamics after fire. The aim of this work was to map post-fire forest regenerating and vegetation recovery on the Mediterranean island of Thasos by using a combination of very high spatial (VHS) resolution (QuickBird) and hyperspectral (EO-1 Hyperion) imagery and by employing object -based image analysis. More specifically, the work focused on (1) the separation and mapping of three major post-fire classes (forest regeneration, other vegetation recovery, unburned vegetation) existing within the fire perimeter, and (2) the differentiation and mapping of the two main forest regeneration classes, namely, Pinus brutia regeneration, and Pinus nigra regeneration. The data used in this study consisted of satellite images and field observations of homogeneous regenerated and revegetated areas. The methodology followed two main steps: a three-level image segmentation, and, a classification of the segmented images. The process resulted in the separation of classes related to the aforementioned objectives. The overall accuracy assessment revealed very promising results (approximately 83.7% overall accuracy, with a Kappa Index of Agreement of 0.79). The achieved accuracy was 8% higher when compared to the results reported in a previous work in which only the EO-1 Hyperion image was employed in order to map the same classes. Some classification confustions involving the classes of P. brutia regeneration and P. nigra regeneration were observed. This could be attributed to the absence of large and dense homogeneous areas of regenerated pine trees in the study area.
Location: TE 12, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57505
Title: Towards a pan-European burnt scar mapping methodology based on single date medium resolution optical remote sensing data
Author: Fernando Sedano, Pieter Kempeneers, Jesus San Miguel, Peter Strobl, Peter Vogt
Editor: F D van der Meer
Year: 2012
Publisher: Elsevier, Vol 20, February 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation
Keywords: Forest fires, burnt scar mapping, remote sensing, medium resolution, large areas
Abstract: A two stage approach for burnt scar detection from single date multispectral medium spatial resolution optical remote sensing data (AWIFS) has been developed. The approach includes first an identification of burnt scar seeds based on a learning algorithm followed by a region growing process. An Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and a Classification tree (CT) were tested as learning algorithms. Both learning algorithms were coupled with a bootstrap aggregation. Training data for the classifiers were obtained from MODIS-based polygons generated by the Rapid Damage Assessment (RDA) module of the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), to which different levels of filtering were applied. The outcomes were validated against datasets generated from visual interpretation of ETM+ scenes. The method was tested in two locations of Portugal and Greece. Both ANN and CT alternatives produced similar resutls, with kappa coefficients close to 0.80 in the Greek location and higher than 0.70 in the Portuguese location. In test sites, more than 80% and 90% of burnt areas larger than 10 ha and 50 ha respectively were detected. The results show that filtering the training dataset reduces the overestimation of burnt areas and produce higher accuracies.
Location: TE 12, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57504
Title: Multiscale mapping of burn area and severity using multisensor satellite data and spatila autocorrelation analysis
Author: A Lanorte, M Danese, R Lasaponara, B Murgante
Editor: F D van der Meer
Year: 2012
Publisher: Elsevier, Vol 20, February 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation
Keywords: ASTER, MODIS, Fire severity, Spatial autocorrelation statistics
Abstract: Traditional methods of recording fire burned areas and fire severity involve expensive and time-consuming field surveys. Available remote sensing technologies may allow us to develop standarized burn-severity maps for evaluating fire effects and addressing post fire management activities. This paper focuses on multiscale characterization of fire severity using multisensor satellite data. To this aim, both MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectoradiometer) and ASTER (Advanced Spacborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) data have been processed using geo-statistic analyses to capture pattern features of burned areas.
Even if in last decades different authors tried to integrate geo-statistics and remote sensing imag processing, methods used since now are only variograms, semivariograms and kriging. In this paper, we porpose an approach based on the use of spatial indicators of global and local autocorrelation. Spatial auto-correlation statistics, such as Moran ' s I and Getis - Ord Local Gi index, were used to measure and analyze dependency degree among spectral features of burned area. This approach enables the characterization of pattern features of a burned area and improves the estimation of fire severity.
Location: TE 12, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57503
Title: Assessment of the abnormal growth of floating macrophytes in Winam Gulf (Kenya) by using MODIS imagery time series
Author: L Fusilli, M O Collins, G Laneve, A Palombo, S Pignatti, F Santini
Editor: F D van der Meer
Year: 2012
Publisher: Elsevier, Vol 20, February 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation
Keywords: MODIS, Time series, Water hyacinth, Lake Victoria, Water quality, Aquatic weed
Abstract: The objective of this research study is to assess the capability of time-series of MODIS imagery to provide information suitable for enhancing the understanding of the temporal cycles shown by the abnormal growth of the floating macrophytes in order to support monitoring and management action of Lake Victoria water resources.
The proliferation of invasive plants and aquatic weeds is of growing concern. Starting from 1989, Lake Victoria has been interested by the high infestation of water hyacinth with significant socio-economic impact on riparian populations.
In this paper, we describe an approach based on the time-series of MODIS to derive the temporal behaviour, the abundance and distribution of the floating macrophytes in the Winam Gulf (Kenyan portion of the Lake Victoria) and its possible links to the concentrations of the main water constituencies.
To this end, we consider the NDVI values computed from the MODIS imagery time-series from 2000 to 2009 to identify the floating macrophytes cover and an appropriate bio-optical model to retrieve, by means of an inverse procedure, the concentrations of chlorophyll a coloured dissolved organic matter and total suspended solid.
The maps of the floating vegetation based on the NDVI values allow us to assess the spatial and temporal dynamics of the weeds with high time resolution.
A floating vegetation index (FVI) has been introduced for describing the weeds pollution level.
The results of the analysis show a consistent temporal relation between the water constituent concentrations within the Winam Gulf and FVI, especially in the proximity of the greatest proliferation of floating vegetation in the last 10 kyears that occurred between the second half of 2006 and the first half of 2007. The adopted approach will be useful to implement an automatic system for monitoring and predicting the floating macrophytes proliferation in Lake Victoria.
Location: TE 12, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57502
Title: Studying interactions between climate variability and vegetation dynamic using a phenology based approach
Author: S Horion, Y Cornet, E Erpicum, B Tychon
Editor: F D van der Meer
Year: 2012
Publisher: Elsevier, Vol 20, February 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation
Keywords: Intra-annual variability, Non-linear process, phenology, climatic constraint
Abstract: In this paper we investigated if and how a signature of climate control on vegetation growth can be individualized at regional scale using time series of SPOT-VEGETATION NDVI and ECMWF meteorological data. Twelve regions characterized by dominant and stable cropland or grassland covers were selected in Europe and Africa. Our results show that the relationship between NDVI and meteorological parameters is highly complex and significantly vary trough the phenological cycle of the plants. Hence, interactions between vegetation dynamics and climate variability must be studied at a smaller time scale in order to identify properly the limiting factors to vegetation growth. Using NDVI metrics, vegetative phases (from green-up to maximum NDVI) and reproductive phases (from maximum NDVI to maturity) were identified for each region. Cross-correlation analysis revealed that, in most of the cases, the best scores of Pearson ' s r are obtained when we considered the vegetative phase (from green-up to maximum of NDVI) and the reproductive phase (from maximum of NDVI to maturity) separately. We also showed that climatic constraints identified using yearly proxies of climate and vegetation do not depict correctly or completelly the climate control on vegetation development. In that sense the complexity of the climate-vegetation relationship, which is spatially and temporally variable, is well underlined in this study.
Location: TE 12, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None