Enter records

ID: 61507
Title: Reaching for the sky
Author: Sascha Rentzing.
Editor: Jorg-Rainer Zimmermann
Year: 2015
Publisher: BWE (German Wind Energy Association)
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: New Energy, Issue No.5 40-43 (2015)
Subject: New Energy.
Keywords: Reaching, Sky
Abstract: The wind industry is under pressure. From 2017, wind funding in Germany will be determined solely by means of competitive bidding process. In order to participate, bidders will have to provide guarantees for possible contractual penalties, which involves high up-front costs. They will also have to upgrade their wind turbines to provide system services for grid balancing purposes .At the moment, conventional power plants provide the necessary reactive power, inertial response and balancing energy. However, as these plants are scheduled to be shut down, wind turbines will have to step in. This is creating a need for more robust drive components and new control technology and processes. As a result, the industry urgently needs to cut costs elsewhere.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 61506
Title: Cheaper batteries on the way.
Author: Sascha Rentzing.
Editor: Jorg-Rainer Zimmermann
Year: 2015
Publisher: BWE (German Wind Energy Association)
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: New Energy, Issue No.5 36-39 (2015)
Subject: New Energy.
Keywords: Cheaper batteries, on the way
Abstract: After it ill-fated attempt to gain a foothold in Germany with a PV production facility, automotive supplier Bosch is now considering investing billions in what could turn out to be a ground-breaking new technology. In September, company boss Volkmar Denner told German magazine Wirtschaftwoche of his plans to begin production of high-performance batteries in Europe. According to the report, Bosch is looking in to the potential of innovative solid-state cells. If the technology lives up to expectations, the decision to build a new battery production facility will be taken in the next two years, said Denner.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 61505
Title: Sea level rising at an unprecedented rate
Author: -News
Editor: Jorg-Rainer Zimmermann
Year: 2015
Publisher: BWE (German Wind Energy Association)
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: New Energy, Issue No.5 35-35 (2015)
Subject: New Energy.
Keywords: Sea level, unprecedented rate.
Abstract: Washington [na] Global sea levels have risen by an average of eight centimeters over the last 20 years, according to a report by American space agency NASA. Researchers blame the increase on warming waters and melting of the Greenland sheet. The recent NASA report paints a varied picture of how sea levels are rising around the world -the eight centimeter figure is simply the global average. In many regions, particularly in Asia, levels have already risen by as much as 25 centimetres. According to the researchers, comparisons with earlier data show that the rate at which the phenomenon is occurring has increased over the last fifty years, a trend they say is likely to continue.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 61504
Title: Success in Paris is not going to fall out of the sky.
Author: -Interview
Editor: Jorg-Rainer Zimmermann
Year: 2015
Publisher: BWE (German Wind Energy Association)
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: New Energy, Issue No.5 20-22 (2015)
Subject: New Energy.
Keywords: Success, Paris, fallout, sky
Abstract: new energy: At their recent summit at Schloss Elmau, the G7 countries pledged to completely decarbonise the world economy. Is this the breakthrough climate protection has been waiting for? Oliver Geden: No. For now, it changes nothing. The G7 countries made a similar resolution in 2009.All that ' s new is the word ?decarbonisation?. This is an indication of a broader ambition in Paris: decarbonisation is likely to join the two degree target as a central goal, although I don ' t expect a concrete timeframe to be announced. The concept has been hailed by NGOs, as in contrast to the two-degree target it makes it easier to denounce political contradictions, for instance if states start building new fossil infrastructure.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 61503
Title: Enough to save the world?
Author: Tim Altegor
Editor: Jorg-Rainer Zimmermann
Year: 2015
Publisher: BWE (German Wind Energy Association)
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: New Energy, Issue No.5 16-19 (2015)
Subject: New Energy.
Keywords: Electric cars, here, stay.
Abstract: This time, everything should be different. Six years have passed since the international community met in Denmark and failed to agree on new climate deal with binding targets for the period after the Kyoto Protocol. At the end of November the parties will make a fresh attempt at a deal in Paris. Once again, they will be seeking to find a way to turn things around and limit global warming to a maximum of 2C-the threshold that was one thing on which the parties in Copenhagen could agree.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 61502
Title: "Electric cars are here to stay".
Author: -Interview
Editor: Jorg-Rainer Zimmermann
Year: 2015
Publisher: BWE (German Wind Energy Association)
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: New Energy, Issue No.5 14-15 (2015)
Subject: New Energy.
Keywords: Electric cars, here, stay.
Abstract: new energy: Mr.Lambrecht, assuming one can afford an electric car; does it make environmental sense to switch? Udo Lambrecht: Yes, it does. Admittedly, the current electricity mix in Germany includes a large amount of coal and nuclear power, which affects the environmental impact of every electricity consumer, including those driving electric cars. However, our calculations show that at the end of the day, taking into account the production, use and disposal stages, even five-seater electric cars with correspondingly large batteries are considerably better for the environment given the current electricity mix-at least compared to petrol cars. They are roughly on a par with efficient diesel cars, except that they produce zero exhaust emissions.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 61501
Title: Solar power grows on trees.
Author: -News
Editor: Jorg-Rainer Zimmermann
Year: 2015
Publisher: BWE (German Wind Energy Association)
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: New Energy, Issue No.3 33-33 (2015)
Subject: New Energy.
Keywords: Solar power, grows, trees.
Abstract: Otaniemi (bm) Researchers at the Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT) in Otaniemi have developed a ?solar tree? able to capture solar energy and convert it into electricity. Its red leaves are flexible organic cells. In day-light, if placed on a window ledge, for example, the device can collect enough light to charge a water timer-or-with a few more leaves-a smartphone. The attractively designed trees could also ?grow? on lamp posts or ticket machines to supply them with power. The trunk of the artificial plant of the artificial plant is made of a renewable wood-based raw material and is produced using a 3D printer.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 61500
Title: Modelling the Gross Primary Productivity of West Africa with the Regional Biomass Model RBM+, using optimized 250 m MODIS EPAR and fractional vegetation cover information.
Author: Miriam Machwitz, Ursula Gessner, Christopher Conrad, Ulrike Falk, Jochen Richters, Stefan Dech.
Editor: F.D.van der Meer
Year: 2015
Publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATION AND GEOINFORMATION. Vol. 43 177-194 (2015).
Subject: APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATION AND GEOINFORMATION.
Keywords: Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) CO2, Fractional Vegetation cover, Fraction of absorbed Photosynthetical, Active Radiation (FPAR), Regional Biomass Model (RBM+), MODIS.
Abstract: Global warming associated with climate change is one of the greatest challenges of today ' s world. Increasing emissions of the greenhouse gas CO2 exchange between atmosphere and land surface is vegetation. Measurements of land cover changes in combination with modeling the Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) can contribute to determine important sources and sinks of CO2. The aim of this study is to accurately model the GPP for a region in West Africa with a spatial resolution o f250 m, and the differentiation of GPP based on woody and herbaceous vegetation. For this purpose, the Regional Biomass Model (RBM) was applied, which is based on a Light Use Efficiency (LUE) approach. The focus was on the spatial enhancement of the RBM from original 1000-250 m spatial resolution (RBM+).The adaptation to the 250 m scale included the modification of two main input parameters: (1) the fraction of absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FPAR) based on 1000 m MODIS MOD 15A2 FPAR product which was downscaled to 250 m using MODIS NDVI time series; (2) the fractional cover of woody and herbaceous vegetation, which was improved by using a multi-scale approach. For validation and regional adjustments of GPP and the input parameters, in situ data from a climate station and eddy covariance measurements were integrated. The results of this approach show that the input parameters could be improved significantly: downscaling considerably reduces data gaps of the original FPAR product and the improved dataset differed less than 5.0 % from the original data for cloud free regions. The RMSE of the fractional vegetation cover varied between 5.1 and 12.7 %. Modelled GPP showed a slight overestimation in comparison to eddy covariance measurements. The in situ data was exceeded by 8.8 % for 2005 and by 2.0 % for 2006. The model results were converted to NPP and also agreed well with previous NPP measurements reported from different studies. Altogether a high accuracy and suitability of the regionally adjusted and downscaled model RBM+ can be concluded. The differentiation between vegetation growth forms allows a separation of long-term and short-term carbon storage based on woody and herbaceous vegetation, respectively.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Archibald, S.A., Kirton, A., van der Merwe, M.R., Scholes, R.J., Williams, C.A., Hanan, N.,2009.Drivers of inter-annual variability in net ecosystem exchange in a semi-arid savanna ecosystem, South Africa.Biogeosciences 6, 251-266. Asner, G.P., Wessman, C.A., Archer, S., 1998. Scale dependence of absorption of photosynthetically active radiation in terrestrial ecosystems.Ecol.Appl.8.1003-1021.
Literature cited 2: Asrar, G., Myneni, R.B., Kanemasu, E.T., 1989.Theory and Applications of Optical Remote Sensing. John Wiley & Son, New York, pp.252-297. Aubinet, M.,Grelle, A., Ibrom, A.,Rannik, U., Moncrieff, J.,Foken, T., Kowalski, A.S., Martin,P.H.,Berbigier, P., Bernhofen ,C.,Clement, R., Elbers, J.,Granier, A.,Gruenwald, T., Morgenstern, K.,Pilegaard, K.,Rebmann, C.,Snijders ,W., Valentini, R.,Vesala, T.,2000.Estimates of the annual net carbon and water exchange of forests: the EUROFLUX methodology.Adv.Ecol.Res.30, 114-177.

ID: 61499
Title: Leaf chlorophyll constraint on model simulated gross primary productivity in agricultural systems.
Author: Rasmus Houborg, Matthew F.McCabe, Alessandro Cescatti, Anatoly A.Gitelson.
Editor: F.D.van der Meer
Year: 2015
Publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATION AND GEOINFORMATION. Vol. 43 160-176 (2015).
Subject: APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATION AND GEOINFORMATION.
Keywords: Landsat, Leaf chlorophyll content, Vmax, Leaf photosynthetic capacity, community Land Model, Agriculture, Rubisco, Nitrogen.
Abstract: Leaf chlorophyll content (Chl1) may serve as an observational proxy for the maximum rate of carboxylation (Vmax), which describes leaf photosynthetic capacity and represents the single most important control on modeled leaf photosynthesis within most Terrestrial Biosphere Models (TMBs). The parameterization of Vmax is associated with great uncertainty as it can vary significantly between plants and in response to changes in leaf nitrogen (N) availability, plant phenology and environmental conditions. Houborg et al (2013) outlined a semi-mechanistic relationship between V25max (Vmax normalized to 25 ?C) and CHl1 based on inter-linkages between V25max, Rubisco enzyme kinetics, N and Chl1.Here, these relationships are parameterized for a wider range of important agricultural crops and embedded within the leaf photosynthesis-conductance scheme of the Community Land Model (CLM), bypassing the questionable use of temporally invariant and broadly defined plant functional type (PFT) specific V25max values. In this study, the new Chl1 constrained version of CLM is refined with an updated parameterization scheme for specific application to soybean and maize. The benefit of using in-situ measured and satellite retrieved Chl1 for constraining model simulations of Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) is evaluated over fields in central Nebraska, U.S.A between 2001 and 2005.Landsat-based Chl1 time-series records derived from the Regularized Canopy Reflectance model (REGFLEC) are used as forcing to the CLM. Validation of simulated GPP against 15 site-years of flux tower observations demonstrate the utility of Chl1 (averaging 35-55 ?g cm-2 for maize and 20-35 ?g cm-2 for soybean) are observed. While prolonged periods of vegetation stress did not occur over the studied fields, given the usefulness of Chl1 as indicator of plant health, enhanced GPP predictabilities should be expected in fields exposed to longer periods of moisture and nutrient stress. While the results support the use of Chl1 as an observational proxy for V25max, future work needs to be directed towards improving the chl1 retrieval accuracy from space observations and developing consistent and physically realistic modeling schemes that can be parameterized with acceptable accuracy over spatial and temporal domains.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Agarwal, D.A., Humphry, M., Beekwilder, N.F., Jackson ,K.R.,Goode, M.M.,van Ingen,C.,2010.A data-centered collaboration portaltosupport global carbon-flux analysis.Concurr.Comput.Pract.Exp.22, 2323-2334, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cpe.1600 Badger, M.R., Collatz, G.J., 1977.Studies on the kinetic mechanism of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase and oxygenase reactions with particular reference to the effect of temperature on kinetic parameters. Carnegie Inst.Washingt Yearb.76, 355-361.
Literature cited 2: Baldocchi, D., Finnigan, J., Wilson, K., Paw, U.K.T., Falge, E., 2000. On measuring net ecosystem carbon exchange over tall vegetation on complex terrain. Boundary-Layer Meteorol, 96, 257-291. Ball, J.T., 1988.An Analysis of Stomatal Conductance, ph.D.thesis.Stanford University, USA.

ID: 61498
Title: An evaluation of remote sensing derived soil pH and average spring groundwater table for ecological assessments.
Author: Hans D. Roelofsen, Peter M. van Bodegom, Lammert Kooistra, Jorg J. van Amerongen, Jan-Philip M. Witte
Editor: F.D.van der Meer
Year: 2015
Publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATION AND GEOINFORMATION. Vol. 43 149-159 (2015).
Subject: APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATION AND GEOINFORMATION.
Keywords: Site factors, Soil pH, Ground water, Indicator values, Airborne hyperspectral, Ecosystem management.
Abstract: Ecological assessments such as species distribution modeling and benchmarking site quality towards regulations often rely on full spatial coverage information of site factors such as soil acidity, moisture regime or nutrient availability. To determine if remote sensing (RS) is a viable alternative to traditional data sources of site factor estimates, we analysed the accuracy (using ground truth validation measurements) of traditional and RS sources of pH and mean spring groundwater level (MSL, in m) estimates. Traditional sources were a soil map and hydrological model. RS estimates were obtained using vegetation indicator values (IVs) from a Dutch national system as an intermediate between site factors and spectral response. Ivs relate to those site factors that dictate vegetation occurrence, whilst also providing a robust link to canopy spectra. For pH, the soil map and the RS estimate we nearly as accurate. For MSL, the R S estimates were much closer to the observed groundwater levels than the hydrological model, but the error margin of the estimates still exceeded the tolerance range of moisture sensitive vegetation. The relatively high accuracy of the RS estimates was made possible by the availability of local calibration points and large environmental gradients in the study site. In addition, the error composition of the RS estimates could be analysed step-by-step, whereas the traditional sources had to be accepted ' as-is ' . Also considering that RS offers high spatial and temporal resolution at low costs, RS offered advantages over traditional sources. This will likely hold true for any other situation where prerequisites of accurate RS estimates have been met.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Asner, G.P., 1998.Biophysicaland biochemical sources of variability in canopy reflectance. Remote Sens.Environ.64 (3), 234-253. Bartholomeus, H.M., Epema, G., Schaepman, M.E., 2007.Determining iron content in Mediterranean soils in partly vegetated areas, using spectral reflectance and imaging spectroscopy.Int.J.Appl.Earth Obs.Geoinf.9 (2), 194-203.
Literature cited 2: Bartholomeus, R.P., Witte, J.P.M., van Bodegom, P.M., Dam, J.C., Becker, P., Aerts, R., 2012.Process-based proxy of oxygen stress surpasses indirect ones in predicting vegetation characteristics.Ecohydrology 5 (6), 746-758. Bartholomeus, R., Witte, J.P.M., van Bodegom, P.M., Aerts, R., 2008. The need of data harmonization to derive robust empirical relationships between soil conditions and vegetation.J.Veg.Sci. 19, 799-808.

ID: 61497
Title: Ecosystem functional assessment based on the "optical type" concept and self-similarity patterns: An application using MODIS-NDVI time series autocorrelation.
Author: Margarita Huesca, Silvia Merino-de-Miguel, Lars Eklundh, Javier Litago, Victor Cicuendez, ManuelRodriguez-Rastrero, Susan L.Ustin, Alicia Palacios-Orueta, Victor Cicuendez, Manuel Rodriguez-Rastrero, Susan L.Ustin, Alicia Palacios-Orueta.
Editor: F.D.van der Meer
Year: 2015
Publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATION AND GEOINFORMATION. Vol. 43 132-148 (2015).
Subject: APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATION AND GEOINFORMATION.
Keywords: MODIS time series, Autocorrelation function, Phenometrics, Optical type, Ecosystem dynamics.
Abstract: Remote sensing (RS) time series are an excellent operative source for information about the land surface across several scales and different levels of landscape heterogeneity.Ustin and Gamon (2010) proposed the new concept of ?optical types? (OT), meaning ?optically distinguishable functional types?, as a way to better understand remote sensing signals related to the actual functional behavior of species that share common physiognomic forms but differ in functionality. Whereas the OT approach seems to be promising and consistent with ecological theory as a way to monitor vegetation derived from RS, it received little implementation. This work presents a method for implementing the OT concept for efficient for efficient monitoring of ecosystems based on RS time series. We propose relying on an ecosystem repetitive pattern in the temporal domain (self-similarity) to assess its dynamics. Based on this approach, our main hypothesis is that distinct dynamics are intrinsic to a specific OT. Self-similarity level in the temporal domain within a broadleaf forest class was quantitatively assessed using the auto-correlation function (ACF), from statistical time series analysis. A vector comparison classification method, spectral angle mapper, and principal component analysis were used to identify general patterns related to forest dynamics. Phenological metrics derived from MODIS NDVI time series using the TIMESAT software, together with information from the National Forest Map were used to explain the different dynamics found. Results showed significant and highly stable self-similarity patterns in OTs that corresponded to forests under non-moisture-limited environments with an adaption strategy based on a strong phonological synchrony with climate seasonality. These forests are characterized by dense closed canopy deciduous forests associated with high productivity and low biodiversity in terms of dominant species. Forests in transitional areas were associated with patterns of less temporal stability probably due to mixtures of different adaptation strategies (i.e., deciduous, marcescent and evergreen species) and higher functional diversity related to climate variability at long and short terms. A less distinct seasonality and even a double season appear in the OT of the broadleaf Mediterranean forest characterized by an open canopy dominated by evergreen-sclerophyllous formations. Within this forest, understory dynamics maximize functional diversity resulting in contrasting traits adapted to summer drought, winter frosts, and high precipitation variability.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Alcaraz , D., Paruelo, J., Cabello, J., 2006.Identification of current ecosystem functional types in the Iberian Peninsula. Global Ecol.Biogeogr.15, 200-212. Alcaraz-Segura, D., Cabello, J. Paruello, J.M., Dalibes, M., 2009.User of descriptors of ecosystem functioning for monitoring a national park network: a remote sensing approach.Environ.Manage, 43, 38-48.
Literature cited 2: Alcaraz-Sugura, D., Paruelo, J.M., Epstein, H.E., Cabello, J., 2013.Environmental and human controls of ecosystem functional diversity in temperate SouthAmerica.Remote Sens.5, 127-154. Baldi, G., Nosetto, M.D., Aragon, R., Aversa, F., Paruelo, J.M., Jobbagy, E.G., 2008. Long-term satellite ndvi datasets: evaluating their ability to detect ecosystem functional changes in South America. Sensors 8, 5397-5425.

ID: 61496
Title: The imprint of plants on ecosystem functioning: A data-driven approach.
Author: Talie Musavi, Miguel D. Mahecha, Mirco Migliavacca, Markus Reichstein, Martine Janet van de Weg, Peter M.van Bodegom, Michael Bahn, Christian Wirth, Peter B.Reich, Franziska Schrodt, Jens Kattge.
Editor: F.D.van der Meer
Year: 2015
Publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATION AND GEOINFORMATION. Vol. 43 119-131 (2015).
Subject: APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATION AND GEOINFORMATION.
Keywords: Biosphere-atmosphere interactions, Biogeochemical fluxes, Scaling, Ecosystem functional properties, plant traits, Remote sensing
Abstract: Terrestrial ecosystems strongly determine the exchange of carbon, water and energy between the biosphere and atmosphere. These exchanges are influenced by environmental conditions (e.g., local meteorology, soils), but generally mediated by organisms. Often, mathematical descriptions of these processes are implemented in terrestrial biosphere models. Model implementations of this kind should be evaluated by empirical analyses of relationships between observed patterns of ecosystem functioning, vegetation structure, plant traits, and environmental conditions. However, the question of how to describe the imprint of plants on ecosystem functioning based on observations has not yet been systematically investigated. One approach might be to identify and quantify functional attributes or responsiveness of ecosystem (often very short-term in nature) that contribute to the long-term (i.e., annual but also seasonal or daily) metrics commonly in use. Here we define these patterns as ?ecosystem functional properties?, or EFPs. Such as the ecosystem capacity of carbon assimilation or the maximum light use efficiency of an ecosystem. While EFPs should be directly derivable from flux measurements at the ecosystem level, we posit that these inherently include the influence of specific plant traits and their local heterogeneity. We present different options of up scaling in situ measured plant traits and ecosystem flux measurements. Finally, we discuss how recent advances in remote sensing contribute to this framework.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Albert, C.H., 2015.Intraspecific trait variability mattrs.J.Veg.Sci.26 (1), 7-8. Asner, G.P., Martin, R.E., Anderson, C.B., Knapp, D.E., 2015.Qunatifying forest canopy traits: imaging spectroscopy versus field survey. Remote Sens.Environ.158, 15-27.
Literature cited 2: Asner, G.P., Martin, R.E., Tupayachi, R., Emerson, R., Martinez, P.,Sinca, F.,Powell, G.V.N., Wright, S.J.,Lugo, A.E., 2011.Taxonomy and remote sensing of leaf mass per area (LMA) in humid tropical forests.Ecol.Appl.21 (1), 85-98. Aubinet, M., Grelle, A., Ibrom, A., Rannik, U., Moncrieff, J., Foken, T., Kowalski, A.S., Martin, P.H., Berbigier, P., Bernhofer, C., Clement, R., Elbers, J., Granier, A., Grunwald, T., Morgenstern ,K., Pilegaard, K.,Rebmann, C., Snijders, W., Valentini, R.,Vesala, T., 2000.Estimates of the annual net carbon and water exchange of forests: the EUROFLUX methodology.Adv.Ecol.Res. 30 (30), 113-175.

ID: 61495
Title: Observing system simulations for small satellite formations estimating bidirectional reflectance.
Author: Sreeja Nag, Charles K.Gatebe, Oliver de Weck.
Editor: F.D.van der Meer
Year: 2015
Publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATION AND GEOINFORMATION. Vol. 43 102-118 (2015).
Subject: APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATION AND GEOINFORMATION.
Keywords: Multi-angular remote sensing, Small satellite, Formation, BRDF, OSSE.
Abstract: The bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) gives the reflectance of a target as a function of illumination geometry and viewing geometry, hence carries information about the anisotropy of the surface. BRDF is needed in remote sensing for the correction of view and illumination angle effects (for example in image standardization and mosaicing), for deriving albedo, for land cover classification, for cloud detection, for atmospheric correction, and other applications. However, current spaceborne instruments provide sparse angular sampling of BRDF and airborne instruments are limited I nth spatial and temporal coverage. To fill the gaps in angular coverage within spatial, spectral and temporal requirements, we propose a new measurement technique: Use of small satellites in formation flight, each satellite with a VNIR (visible and near infrared) imaging spectrometer, to make multi-spectral, near-simultaneous measurements of every ground spot in the swath at multiple angles. This paper describes an observing system simulation experiment (OSSE) to evaluate the proposed concept and select the optimal formation architecture that minimizes BRDF uncertainties. The variables of the OSSE are identified; number of satellites, measurement spread in the view zenith and relative azimuth with respect to solar plane, solar zenith angle, BRDF models and wavelength of reflection. Analyzing the sensitivity of BRDF estimation errors to the variables allow simplification of the OSSE, to enable its use to rapidly evaluate formation architectures. A 6-satellite formation is shown to produce lower BRDF estimation errors, purely in terms of angular sampling as evaluated by the OSSE, than a single spacecraft with 9 forward-aft sensors. We demonstrate the ability to use OSSEs to design small satellite formations as complements to flagship mission data. The formations can fill angular sampling gaps and enable better BRDF products than currently possible.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Abrams, M., 2000. The advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiomter (ASTER): data products for the high spatial resolution imager on NASA ' s Terra platform.Int.J.Remote Sens.vol.21 (5), 847-859. Arnold, G.T., Tsay, S.-C, King, M.D., Li, J.Y., Soulen, P.F., 2002. Airborne spectral measurements of surface-atmosphere anisotropy for Arctic Sea ice and tundra.Int.J.Remote Sens. Vol.23 (18), 3763-3781.
Literature cited 2: Arnold Jr, C.P., Dey, C.H., 1986.Observing-systems simulation experiments: past, present, and future.Bull.Am.Meteorol.Soc.67 (6), 687-695. Barnsley, M.J., Strahler, A.H., Morris, K.P., Muller, J.P., 1994.?Sampling the surface bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF): 1.Evaluation of current and future satellite sensors,? Remote Sens.Rev.vol.8 (4), 271-311.

ID: 61494
Title: A new 500-m resolution map of canopy height for Amazon forest using spaceborne LiDAR and cloud-free MODIS imagery
Author: Yoshito Sawada, Rempei Suwa, Keiji Jindo, Takahiro Endo, Kazuo Oki, Haruo Sawada, Egidio Arai, Yosio Edemir Shimabukuro, Carlos Henrique Souza Celes, Moacir Alberto Assis Campos, Francisco Gasparetto Higuchi, Adriano Jose Nogueira Lima, Niro Higuchi,
Editor: F.D.van der Meer
Year: 2015
Publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATION AND GEOINFORMATION. Vol. 43 92-101 (2015).
Subject: APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATION AND GEOINFORMATION.
Keywords: Canopy height mapping, Amazon forest, ICESat/GLAS, MODIS, D-H model
Abstract: In the present study, we aimed to map canopy heights in the Brazilian Amazon mainly on the basis of spaceborne LiDAR and cloud-free MODIS imagery with a new method (the self-Organizing Relationships method) for spatial modeling of the LiDAR footprint. To evaluate the general versatility, we compared the created canopy height map with two different canopy height estimates on the basis of our original field study plots (799 plots located in eight study sites) and a previously developed canopy height map. The compared canopy height estimates were obtained by: (1) a stem diameter at breast height (D) -tree height (H) relationship specific to each site on the basis of our original field study, (2) a previously developed D-H model involving environmental and structural factors as explanatory variables (Feldpausch et al., 2011), and (3) a previously developed canopy height map derived from the spaceborne LiDAR data with different spatial modeling method and explanatory variables (Simard et al., 2011).As a result, our canopy height map successfully detected a spatial distribution pattern in canopy height estimates based on our original field study data (r=0.845, p =8.31 x 10-3) though our canopy height map showed a poor correlation (r=0.563, p =0.146) with the canopy height estimate based on a previously developed model by Feldpausch et al. (2011.). We also confirmed that the created canopy height map showed a similar pattern with the previously developed canopy height map by Simard et al. (2011). It was concluded that the use of the spaceborne LiDAR data provides suffiencient accuracy in estimating the canopy height at regional scale.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Aiba, S., Kitayama, K., 1999.Structure, composition and species diversity in an altitude-substrate matrix of rain forest tree communities on Mount Kinabalu, Borneo.Plant Ecol. 140, 139-157. Baccini, A., Goetz, S.J., Walker, W.S., Laporte, N.T., Sun, M., Sulla-Menashe, D., Hackler, J., Beck, P.S.A., Dubayah, R., Friedl, M.A., Samanta, S., Houghton, R., 2012.Estimated carbon dioxide emissions from tropical deforestation improved by carbon-density maps.Nat.Clim.Change 2, 182-185.
Literature cited 2: Breiman, L., 2001.Randon forests.Mach.Learn.45, 5-32. Castilho, C.V.,Mangnusson, W.E., Araujo, R.N.O., Luizao, R.C.C., Luizao, F.J., Lima, A.P.,Higuchi, n., 2006.Variation in aboveground tree live biomass in a central Amazonian forest: effects of soil an topography.For.Ecol.Manage.234, 85-96.

ID: 61493
Title: Spectral reflectance patterns and seasonal dynamics of common understory types in three mature hemi-boreal forests.
Author: Maris Nikopensius, Jan Pisek, Kairi Raabe.
Editor: F.D.van der Meer
Year: 2015
Publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATION AND GEOINFORMATION. Vol. 43 84-91 (2015).
Subject: APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATION AND GEOINFORMATION.
Keywords: Reflectance, Spectroscopy, Hemi-boreal, Understory.
Abstract: Due to the growing demand on more accurate prediction of biophysical properties (e.g., leaf area index) or carbon balance models based on remotely sensed data, the understory effect needs to be separated from the overstory. Reflectance models can provide possibility to model and retrieve understory reflectance over large scales, but ground truth data is needed to validate such models and algorithms. In this study, we documented the seasonal variation (April-September) and spectral changes occurring in understory layers of typical European hemi-boreal forest. The understory composition was recorded and its spectra measured with an ASD Field Spec Hand-Held UV/ VNIR Spectroradiometer eight times at four site types during the growing period (from May to September) in 2013. The collected dataset presented within this study would be of much use to improve and validate algorithms or models for extracting spectral properties of understory from remote sensing data. It can be also further used as valuable input in radiative transfer simulations that are used to quantify the roles of forest tree layer and understory components in forming a seasonal reflectance course of a hemi-boreal forest, and the upcoming phases of the Radiation Model Intercomparison (RAMI) experiment.
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Literature cited 2: Eriksson, M.H., Eklundh, L., Kusuk, A., Nilson, T., 2006.Impact of understory vegetation on forest canopy reflectance and remotely sensed LAI estimates. Remote Sens.Environ.103, 408-418. Estonian Environment Agency. Webpage (Former EMHI) http://www.emhi.ee/index.php?ide = 6 & vts =1367391600 &go=3 (Used 11.05.14).