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Testing the correspondence among satellite-observed tundra greenness and on-the-ground vegetation monitoring using drones

Isla H. Myers-Smith, University of Edinburgh, isla.myers-smith@ed.ac.uk (Presenter)
Jeff Kerby, Dartmouth College, jeffrey.t.kerby@dartmouth.edu
Jakob Assmann, University of Edinburgh, j.assmann@ed.ac.uk
Andrew Cunliffe, University of Edinburgh, andrew.cunliffe@ed.ac.uk

Satellite-based observations of the Arctic indicate that tundra vegetation productivity is increasing, which is often referred to as the ‘greening’ of the Arctic. This increased productivity has been associated with the rapid warming experienced by terrestrial Arctic ecosystems over recent decades. However, coarse observational scales and strong regional variation in the satellite datasets have resulted in repeated calls for validation of the observed trends. High-resolution multispectral imagery obtained with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) holds the potential to bridge this gap. Here, we present time-series of multispectral and RGB imagery acquired with drones across the growing season 2016 and 2017 on Qikiqtaruk – Herschel Island, YT Canada, a region that is undergoing rapid permafrost thaw and vegetation change. We have developed a standardised workflow over three field seasons to capture plant phenology, shrub tundra biovolume, retrogressive thaw slumps and coastal erosion across the growing season using drones. Our preliminary analyses indicate correspondence in tundra vegetation greenness across scales. However, that data from ~5-15 cm grain-sizes better capture certain biological and physical processes that govern tundra greening patterns. Our results provide valuable insights into how drones can be used to monitor vegetation in rapidly changing tundra environments.

For more information see:

https://teamshrub.wordpress.com/

https://droneecology.wordpress.com/

Associated Project(s): 

Poster Location ID: 85

Session Assigned: Vegetation Dynamics and Distribution

 


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