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TITLE:
Use of Remotely Sensed Images to Monitor Plant Vigor in the Riparian Zone of the Upper San Pedro Basin (USPB)
INVESTIGATORS:
Jiaguo Qi and Susan Moran (ARS)
OBJECTIVES:
1. To use high-spatial-resolution optical digital images to monitor variability in plant vigor (e.g., transpiration rate and growth rate) of riparian cottonwood and willow trees and associated grasslands and mesquite thickets.
APPROACH:
The general approach is to obtain high-quality, high-spatial resolution optical data (reflective and thermal spectrum) over the riparian zone of the USPB, along with supporting measurements of tree transpiration rates, grassland and mesquite energy flux rates, vegetation density and LAI, and meteorological conditions. We expect that the combination of surface reflectance and temperature can be combined in physical models to determine vegetation amount and general vigor.
DATA COLLECTION:
To date, we have been able to obtain TIMS 1-m multiband thermal images and Agrometrics 1-3m single band thermal images along the USPB riparian corridor. During each overflight, we made thermal measurements at the Lewis Springs site for comparison with image measurements. Also, during the Agrometrics flight, sap flow measurements were made (Dave Williams) for the cottonwood trees at Lewis Springs (and on other contiguous days, at other sites). Surface flux measurements were made (Russ Scott) in the associated sacaton grassland and mesquite thicket. We recently hired an image processing technician who will be working to process the spectral images and merge the data with physical models to eventually produce maps of vegetation density and vigor.
DATA REQUIRED FROM OTHER INVESTIGATORS:
We will require:
1. Results of radiosonde balloon launches.
2. Cottonwood leaf temperature measurements made by Williams and crew.
3. Tree-by-tree Cottonwood transpiration rates measured by Williams and crew.
4. LAI measurements of Cottonwoods and Mesquite during overpasses.
5. Surface energy flux measurements in the grassland and mesquite by Russ Scott.
6. Meteorological measurements made by Russ Scott.
7. LIDAR results.
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