Synthetic aperture radar (L band) and optical vegetation indices for discriminating the Brazilian savanna physiognomies: A comparative analysis

The all-weather capability, signal independence to the solar illumination angle, and response to 3D vegetation structures are the highlights of active radar systems for natural vegetation mapping and monitoring. However, they may present significant soil background effects. This study addresses a comparative analysis of the performance of L-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data and optical vegetation indices (VIs) for discriminating the Brazilian cerrado physiognomies. The study area was the Brasilia National Park, Brazil, one of the test sites of the Large-Scale Biosphere-Atmosphere (LBA) experiment in Amazonia. Seasonal Japanese Earth Resources Satellite-1 (JERS-1) SAR backscatter coefficients (σ°) were compared with two vegetation indices [normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and enhanced vegetation index (EVI)] over the five most dominant cerrados' physiognomies plus gallery forest. In contrast to the VIs, σ° from dry and wet seasons did not change significantly, indicating primary response to vegetation structures. Discriminant analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed an overall higher performance of radar data. However, when both SAR and VIs are combined, the discrimination capability increased significantly, indicating that the fusion of the optical and radar backscatter observations provides overall improved classifications of the cerrado types. In addition, VIs showed good performance for monitoring the cerrado dynamics

Vegetation detection through smoke-filled AVIRIS images: An assessment using MODIS band passes

Radiometrically calibrated, Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) images acquired during the Smoke, Clouds and Radiation in Brazil (SCAR-B) experiment were processed to simulate vegetation index (VI) imagery with the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) band passes. Data sets were extracted from tropical forested areas, burned fields, and shrub/grassland areas over both clear and variable smoke conditions with average aerosol optical thickness (AOT) values at 0.67 Jim of 0.14, 1.1, and 1.9, respectively. The atmospheric resistant VIs and various middle-infrared (MIR) derived VIs were then analyzed with respect to their ability to minimize atmospheric "smoke" contamination. The atmospheric resistant VIs utilized the blue band for correction of the red band, while the MIR-derived VIs used the MIR region (1.3 - 2.5 μm) as a substitute for the red band since it is relatively transparent to smoke, yet remains sensitive to green vegetation. The performance of these indices were assessed and compared with the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the soil-adjusted vegetation index (SAVI). Over the tropical forests the NDVI and SAVI had high relative errors over all smoke-filled atmospheric conditions (50-80% error), while the atmospheric resistant VIs resulted in a 50-80% relative error only over thick levels of smoke. Over optically thin levels (AOT at 0.67 μm 40%), while all other indices had errors below 20%. In the shrub/grassland site, the atmospheric resistant indices behaved similarly with the MIR-derived indices, with both less sensitive to smoke than the NDVI and SAVI. We conclude that the MIR indices, particularly with MODIS band 7 (2.13 μm), are useful in vegetation monitoring over forested areas during the burning season. However, they did not perform well in areas outside of forests such as burned areas and shrub/grassland. Copyright 1998 by the American Geophysical Union

Spectral cross-calibration of VIIRS enhanced vegetation index with MODIS: A case study using year-long global data

© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. In this study, the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) was spectrally cross-calibrated with the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) EVI using a year-long, global VIIRS-MODIS dataset at the climate modeling grid (CMG) resolution of 0.05°-by-0.05°. Our cross-calibration approach was to utilize a MODIS-compatible VIIRS EVI equation derived in a previous study [Obata et al., J. Appl. Remote Sens., vol.7, 2013] and optimize the coefficients contained in this EVI equation for global conditions. The calibrated/optimized MODIS-compatible VIIRS EVI was evaluated using another global VIIRS-MODIS CMG dataset of which acquisition dates did not overlap with those used in the calibration. The calibrated VIIRS EVI showed much higher compatibility with the MODIS EVI than the original VIIRS EVI, where the mean error (MODIS minus VIIRS) and the root mean square error decreased from -0.021 to -0.003 EVI units and from 0.029 to 0.020 EVI units, respectively. Error reductions on the calibrated VIIRS EVI were observed across nearly all view zenith and relative azimuth angle ranges, EVI dynamic range, and land cover types. The performance of the MODIS-compatible VIIRS EVI calibration appeared limited for high EVI values (i.e., EVI > 0.5) due likely to the maturity of the VIIRS dataset used in calibration/optimization. The cross-calibration methodology introduced in this study is expected to be useful for other spectral indices such as the normalized difference vegetation index and two-band EVI

Response of spectral reflectances and vegetation indices on varying juniper cone densities

Juniper trees are widely distributed throughout the world and are common sources of allergies when microscopic pollen grains are transported by wind and inhaled. In this study, we investigated the spectral influences of pollen-discharging male juniper cones within a juniper canopy. This was done through a controlled outdoor experiment involving ASD FieldSpec Pro Spectroradiometer measurements over juniper canopies of varying cone densities. Broadband and narrowband spectral reflectance and vegetation index (VI) patterns were evaluated as to their sensitivity and their ability to discriminate the presence of cones. The overall aim of this research was to assess remotely sensed phenological capabilities to detect pollen-bearing juniper trees for public health applications. A general decrease in reflectance values with increasing juniper cone density was found, particularly in the Green (545-565 nm) and NIR (750-1,350 nm) regions. In contrast, reflectances in the shortwave-infrared (SWIR, 2,000 nm to 2,350 nm) region decreased from no cone presence to intermediate amounts (90 g/m2) and then increased from intermediate levels tothe highest cone densities (200 g/m2). Reflectance patterns in the Red (620-700 nm) were more complex due to shifting contrast patterns in absorptance between cones and juniper foliage, where juniper foliage is more absorbing than cones only within the intense narrowband region of maximum chlorophyll absorption near 680 nm. Overall, narrowband reflectances were more sensitive to cone density changes than the equivalent MODIS broadbands. In all VIs analyzed, there were significant relationships with cone density levels, particularly with the narrowband versions and the two-band vegetation index (TBVI) based on Green and Red bands, a promising outcome for the use of phenocams in juniper phenology trait studies. These results indicate that spectral indices are sensitive to certain juniper phenologic traits that can potentially be used for juniper cone detection in support of public health applications. © 2013 by the authors

Impacts of spatial heterogeneity patterns on long-term trends of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) land surface temperature time series

© 2020 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Land surface temperature (LST) is a crucial parameter for global climate change studies. LST changes are also directly associated with the large-scale changes in land cover. Previous studies carried out a comparative analysis of satellite-derived LST response between periods before and after homogenous land cover changes. We present an alternative approach that quantifies long-term LST variability in response to various land use/land cover change (LULCC) patterns over Phuket Island, Thailand, from 2003 to 2017. First, four Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) overpass times of LST time series were adjusted for seasonal effects using a cubic spline function to preserve the number of original data and enable estimates of LST dynamics and trends using the generalized least squared models. Second, LULCC patterns were classified according to land cover type conversion and spatial pattern transformations between the years 2000 and 2016. Spatial homogeneity and heterogeneity were quantified by the coverage percentage for each land use and land cover (LULC) type within a given location. Finally, the influence of LULCC patterns on the long-term spatiotemporal behavior of LST was assessed using the generalized estimating equation model. Results showed that different land cover transitions influence the dynamics of daytime LST but not the nighttime LST. The proportion of different land cover types within an LST pixel and transition amounts contributed to the quantity of increasing surface temperature, especially over impervious surface types. Diverse LULCC patterns with considerations of spatial heterogeneity improved our insight about a relatively strong effect of combined LULC types on LST responses. The climatic effect through the gradual conversion of heterogeneous land cover is necessary to be considered in climate research studies

Trans-disciplinary research in synthesis of grass pollen aerobiology and its importance for respiratory health in Australasia

© 2015 Published by Elsevier B.V. Grass pollen is a major trigger for allergic rhinitis and asthma, yet little is known about the timing and levels of human exposure to airborne grass pollen across Australasian urban environments. The relationships between environmental aeroallergen exposure and allergic respiratory disease bridge the fields of ecology, aerobiology, geospatial science and public health. The Australian Aerobiology Working Group comprised of experts in botany, palynology, biogeography, climate change science, plant genetics, biostatistics, ecology, pollen allergy, public and environmental health, and medicine, was established to systematically source, collate and analyse atmospheric pollen concentration data from 11 Australian and six New Zealand sites. Following two week-long workshops, post-workshop evaluations were conducted to reflect upon the utility of this analysis and synthesis approach to address complex multidisciplinary questions. This Working Group described i) a biogeographically dependent variation in airborne pollen diversity, ii) a latitudinal gradient in the timing, duration and number of peaks of the grass pollen season, and iii) the emergence of new methodologies based on trans-disciplinary synthesis of aerobiology and remote sensing data. Challenges included resolving methodological variations between pollen monitoring sites and temporal variations in pollen datasets. Other challenges included "marrying" ecosystem and health sciences and reconciling divergent expert opinion. The Australian Aerobiology Working Group facilitated knowledge transfer between diverse scientific disciplines, mentored students and early career scientists, and provided an uninterrupted collaborative opportunity to focus on a unifying problem globally. The Working Group provided a platform to optimise the value of large existing ecological datasets that have importance for human respiratory health and ecosystems research. Compilation of current knowledge of Australasian pollen aerobiology is a critical first step towards the management of exposure to pollen in patients with allergic disease and provides a basis from which the future impacts of climate change on pollen distribution can be assessed and monitored

Differences in grass pollen allergen exposure across Australia

© 2015 The Authors © 2015 Public Health Association of Australia. Objective: Allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma are important chronic diseases posing serious public health issues in Australia with associated medical, economic, and societal burdens. Pollen are significant sources of clinically relevant outdoor aeroallergens, recognised as both a major trigger for, and cause of, allergic respiratory diseases. This study aimed to provide a national, and indeed international, perspective on the state of Australian pollen data using a large representative sample. Methods: Atmospheric grass pollen concentration is examined over a number of years within the period 1995 to 2013 for Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, and Sydney, including determination of the 'clinical' grass pollen season and grass pollen peak. Results: The results of this study describe, for the first time, a striking spatial and temporal variability in grass pollen seasons in Australia, with important implications for clinicians and public health professionals, and the Australian grass pollen-allergic community. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that static pollen calendars are of limited utility and in some cases misleading. This study also highlights significant deficiencies and limitations in the existing Australian pollen monitoring and data. Implications: Establishment of an Australian national pollen monitoring network would help facilitate advances in the clinical and public health management of the millions of Australians with asthma and allergic rhinitis

Integrated analysis of climate, soil, topography and vegetative growth in Iberian viticultural regions

The Iberian viticultural regions are convened according to the Denomination of Origin (DO) and present different climates, soils, topography and management practices. All these elements influence the vegetative growth of different varieties throughout the peninsula, and are tied to grape quality and wine type. In the current study, an integrated analysis of climate, soil, topography and vegetative growth was performed for the Iberian DO regions, using state-of-the-art datasets. For climatic assessment, a categorized index, accounting for phenological/thermal development, water availability and grape ripening conditions was computed. Soil textural classes were established to distinguish soil types. Elevation and aspect (orientation) were also taken into account, as the leading topographic elements. A spectral vegetation index was used to assess grapevine vegetative growth and an integrated analysis of all variables was performed. The results showed that the integrated climate-soil-topography influence on vine performance is evident. Most Iberian vineyards are grown in temperate dry climates with loamy soils, presenting low vegetative growth. Vineyards in temperate humid conditions tend to show higher vegetative growth. Conversely, in cooler/warmer climates, lower vigour vineyards prevail and other factors, such as soil type and precipitation acquire more important roles in driving vigour. Vines in prevailing loamy soils are grown over a wide climatic diversity, suggesting that precipitation is the primary factor influencing vigour. The present assessment of terroir characteristics allows direct comparison among wine regions and may have great value to viticulturists, particularly under a changing climate

Response and resilience of Spartina alterniflora to sudden dieback

We measured an array of biophysical and spectral variables to evaluate the response and recovery of Spartina alterniflora to a sudden dieback event in spring and summer 2004 within a low marsh in coastal Virginia, USA. S. alterniflora is a foundation species, whose loss decreases ecosystem services and potentiates ecosystem state change. Long-term records of the potential environmental drivers of dieback such as precipitation and tidal inundation did not evidence any particular anomalies, although Hurricane Isabel in fall 2003 may have been related to dieback. Transects were established across the interface between the dieback area and apparently healthy areas of marsh. Plant condition was classified based on ground cover within transects as dieback, intermediate and healthy. Numerous characteristics of S. alterniflora culms within each condition class were assessed including biomass, morphology and spectral attributes associated with photosynthetic pigments. Plants demonstrated evidence of stress in 2004 and 2005 beyond areas of obvious dieback and resilience at a multi-year scale. Resilience of the plants was evident in recovery of ground cover and biomass largely within 3 y, although a small remnant of dieback persisted for 8 y. Culms surviving within the dieback and areas of intermediate impact had modified morphological traits and spectral response that reflected stress. These morphometric and spectral differences among plant cover condition classes serve as guidelines for monitoring of dieback initiation, effects and subsequent recovery. Although a number of environmental and biotic parameters were assessed relative to causation, the reason for this particular dieback remains largely unknown, however