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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #101587
Title: MONITORING PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL STATES OF DESERT GRASSLANDS USING REMOTESENSING

Author
item Ritchie, Jerry
item Rango, Albert
item Schmugge, Thomas
item Kustas, William - Bill
item SCHIEBE, FRANK - SST DEVELOPMENT GROUP,INC

Submitted to: International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/21/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: NONE

Technical Abstract: Measurements are being used to quantify hydrologic budgets and plant responses to changes in components in the water and energy balance at the Jornada Experimental Range and the Sevilleta Long-Term Ecological Research in New Mexico. A range of ground aircraft and satellite data have been collected on the physical, vegetative, thermal, and radiometric properties of two ecosystems typical of desert grassland. Remote sensing campaigns have been made in dry (May/June) and wet (September/October) periods each year. Data from different platforms will allow the evaluation of landscape properties at a range of scales from meters to kilometers. Radiance measured at ground and aircraft platforms were found to be 3 to 5% higher at shrub sites when compared with the grass site. Landscape surface temperatures which were similar in the morning (9:00 a.m. local time) showed 3o to 5o C higher temperatures at shrub sites when compared with grass sites by 1:00 p.m. local time. These differences in albedo and temperature could have significant effects on the energy and water balances of desert grasslands as shrubs continue to expand at the expense of the grass. Landsat and EOS satellite data will be used to extend these data to larger scales.