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Calibration and Validation of Fractional Lichen Cover Mapping

Matthew J Macander, Alaska Biological Research, Inc.--Environmental Research & Services, mmacander@abrinc.com (Presenter)
Eric Palm, University of Montana, e2palm@gmail.com
Peter Nelson, University of Maine - Fort Kent, peter.nelson@maine.edu
Mark Hebblewhite, University of Montana, mark.hebblewhite@umontana.edu
Jim Herriges, Bureau of Land Management, jherrige@blm.gov
Gerald Verner Frost, Alaska Biological Research, Inc.--Environmental Research & Services, jfrost@abrinc.com
Christopher S. Swingley, Alaska Biological Research, Inc.--Environmental Research & Services, cswingley@abrinc.com
Emily Holt, University of Northern Colorado, emily.holt@unco.edu

Cover maps are being developed for selected tundra plant functional types (PFTs) across >500,000 sq. km of arctic and boreal Alaska and adjacent Canada at 30 m resolution. Training and validation data include a field-based training dataset based on both point-intercept and ocular estimation sampling methods at thousands of plots spanning bioclimatic and geomorphic gradients. In 2017, we also compiled over 20 blocks of 1-5 cm resolution RGB image mosaics in Alaska (White Mountains) and the Yukon Territory to provide supplementary training and validation data for mapping lichen cover in the range of the Fortymile Caribou Herd. The mosaics and associated surface and canopy height models were developed using a consumer drone and structure from motion processing. We summarized both the in situ measurements and drone imagery to determine cover of Light Macrolichens. We applied these data to train 2 m (limited extent) and 30 m (wall to wall) maps of fractional cover for lichen for c. 2015. Predictors for 2 m models were commercial satellite imagery such as WorldView-2 and Worldview-3, analyzed on the ABoVE Science Cloud. Predictors for 30 m models were percentile reflectance composites and spectral metrics, developed from Landsat imagery using Google Earth Engine. Next steps include extending the mapping to Arctic Alaska and Canada; expanding to include mapping of shrub PFTs; and applying models to historical Landsat data to estimate c. 2000 shrub and lichen cover.

Presentation: ASTM4_Poster_Macander_60_106.pdf (20328k)

Associated Project(s): 

Poster Location ID: 60

Session Assigned: Vegetation Dynamics and Distribution

 


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