Validating Landsat-based landscape metrics with fine-grained land cover data

ContextModerate-grained data may not always represent landscape structure in adequate detail which could cause misleading results. Certain metrics have been shown to be predictable with changes in scale; however, no studies have verified such predictions using independent fine-grained data.ObjectivesOur objective was to use independently derived land cover datasets to assess relationships between metrics based on fine- and moderate-grained data for a range of analysis extents. We focus on metrics that previous literature has shown to have predictable relationships across scales.MethodsThe study area was located in eastern Connecticut. We compared a 1 m land cover dataset to a 30 m resampled dataset, derived from the 1 m data, as well as two Landsat-based datasets. We examined 11 metrics which included cover areas and patch metrics. Metrics were analyzed using analysis extents ranging from 100 to 1400 m in radius.ResultsThe resampled data had very strong linear relationships to the 1 m data, from which it was derived, for all metrics regardless of the analysis extent size. Landsat-based data had strong correlations for most cover area metrics but had little or no correlation for patch metrics. Increasing analysis areas improved correlations.ConclusionsRelationships between coarse- and fine-grained data tend to be much weaker when comparing independent land cover datasets. Thus, trends across scales that are found by resampling land cover are likely to be unsuitable for predicting the effects of finer-scale elements in the landscape. Nevertheless, coarser data shows promise in predicting fine-grained for cover area metrics provided the analysis area used is sufficiently large.     

Forest-level analysis of stability under exploitation: depensation responses and catastrophe theory

Stability analysis of whole forests is proposed as a qualitative tool for the study of forest responses to partial or patchy harvests or mortality. Instead of modeling every tree or stand, aggregate tree biomass is modeled. In order to aggregate stands, spatial effects must be incorporated. It is shown that depensation growth responses (reduced growth at low biomass) are common because forests often modify harch environments to be more suitable for their growth. Depensation can result from thinning, partial mortality, patchy cutting, or clearcutting, depending on forest type and abiotic factors. Examples of these types of behaviors are given. Stability analysis of different growth regimes under exploitation are related to catastrophe theory and to optimal harvesting policies. Such qualitative analysis is shown to be applicable to data-poor regions such as the tropics where there is great concern over responses of forests to exploitation.     

数学模型与自然保护科学

日益加剧的人类干扰和景观破碎化已危及全球的生物多样性。自然保护成为人类所面临的最重要也最富有挑战性的任务。指导这一实践的理论和原则极为需要。本文试图综述与自然保护科学有关的几个学科在理论和实际研究(尤其是模型)方面的近期成果以及发展趋势,从而提出自然保护模型的发展方向。文中涉猎基于不同方法论、不同组织水平的模型,并对数学模型在自然保护科学中的作用和实用性加以讨论。     

Topographic control of vegetation in a mountain big sagebrush steppe

Mountain big sagebrush steppes in Wyoming have strong spatial patterning associated with topography. We describe the spatial variability of vegetation in a sagebrush steppe, and test the relationship between topography and vegetation using canonical correlation. Results of the analysis suggest that the main control over vegetation distribution in this system is wind exposure. Exposed sites are characterized by cushion plant communities and Artemisia nova, and less exposed sites by the taller sagebrush species Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana. Topographic depressions and leeward slopes are characterized by aspen stands and nivation hollows. Measurements of soil microclimate suggest that a major influence of topographic position on vegetation is snow redistribution and its effect on soil moisture and temperature.Abbreviations ARNO Artemisia nova - ARTRW Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis - ARTRV Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana - PUTR Purshia tridentata - RIP riparian community - POTR Populus tremuloides - NIV nivation hollow community     

Phenology of Festuca pallescens in relation to topography in north-western Patagonia

Abstract. The phenological changes in populations of Festuca pallescens (St. Yves) Parodi at different topographic positions and exposure along an altitudinal gradient (600 - 1100 m) were investigated during two growing seasons in northwestern Patagonia. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to describe the relationship between phenology and environment during the entire growing season. Analysis of variance was also performed at each sample date to detect significant environmental factors influencing phenology at different sites. The sum of maximum air temperatures was identified as the environmental variable best correlated with the seasonal variation of phenological events of Festuca pallescens over the period of two growing seasons, explaining 93.2 % of the total variance. Significant differences between sites were observed at each sample date. Main effects of altitude and topographic position and two-way interactions between altitude and topographic position, and topographic position and exposure were also detected as significant. Phenology was delayed at increased altitude. Differences in phenology between topographic sites at the same altitude were not detected during the entire growing season and were only observed in the reproductive phase. At this time, the phenology was significantly delayed at high topographic positions on the slopes as compared with low and mid positions. At high altitudes in the valley (950 m a. s. 1.), where steep slopes and humid conditions prevail, phenology was delayed on western exposures and low positions. The results adequately summarize and quantify the effect of spatial and temporal environmental variation on the phenological development of Festuca pallescens in northwestern Patagonia.     

Controlled experiments of habitat fragmentation: a simple computer simulation and a test using small mammals

Habitat fragmentation involves a reduction in the effective area available to a population and the imposition of hard patch edges. Studies seeking to measure effects of habitat fragmentation have compared populations in fragments of different size to estimate and area effect but few have examined the effect of converting open populations to closed ones (an effect of edges). To do so requires a shift in spatial scope-from comparison of individual fragments to that of fragmented versus unfragmented landscapes. Here we note that large-scale, controlled studies of habitat fragmentation have rarely been performed and are needed. In making our case we develop a simple computer simulation model based on how individual animals with home ranges are affected by the imposition of habitat edges, and use it to predict population-level responses to habitat fragmentation. We then compare predictions of the model with results from a field experiment on Peromyscus and Microtus. Our model treats the case where home ranges/territories fall entirely within or partially overlap with that of sample areas in continuous landscapes, but are restricted to areas within habitat fragments in impacted landscapes. Results of the simulations demonstrate that the imposition of hard edges can produce different population abundances for similar-sized areas in continuous and fragmented landscapes. This edge effect is disproportionately greater in small than large fragments and for species with larger than smaller home ranges. These predictions were generally supported by our field experiment. We argue that large-scale studies of habitat fragmentation are sorely needed, and that control-experiment contrasts of fragmented and unfragmented microlandscapes provide a logical starting point.     

Analysis of woody vegetation of Corbett National Park,India

The heterogeneous vegetation mosaic of the South Turkana region of north Kenya is associated with diversity in the region's physical environment. The abundance and distribution of the dominant species are related to gradients in those abiotic factors that influence water availability, including precipitation, soil texture, and topographic relief. Research focused on three Acacia species that are a major component of the Turkana vegetation; A. tortilis, A. senegal, and A. reficiens. These species each exhibit a different response to variations in abiotic factors. Consequently, species abundance varies independently across the landscape, creating a continuum of intergrading populations. Community types can be identified within the mosaic of intergrading populations. Although community borders are not discrete due to continual change in species abundance, types are identifiable and are repeated in areas with similar environmental conditions. The landscape patterns are representative of Whittaker's (1953) climaxas-pattern, with communities created by individual patterns of populations responding to environmental gradients, creating a continuum of community change across the landscape.     

Effects of fire on landscape heterogeneity in Yellowstone National Park,Wyoming

Abstract. A map of burn severity resulting from the 1988 fires that occurred in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) was derived from Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery and used to assess the isolation of burned areas, the heterogeneity that resulted from fires burning under moderate and severe burning conditions, and the relationship between heterogeneity and fire size. The majority of severely burned areas were within close proximity (50 to 200 m) to unburned or lightly burned areas, suggesting that few burned sites are very far from potential sources of propagules for plant reestablishment. Fires that occurred under moderate burning conditions early during the 1988 fire season resulted in a lower proportion of crown fire than fires that occurred under severe burning conditions later in the season. Increased dominance and contagion of burn severity classes and a decrease in the edge: area ratio for later fires indicated a slightly more aggregated burn pattern compared to early fires. The proportion of burned area in different burn severity classes varied as a function of daily fire size. When daily area burned was relatively low, the proportion of burned area in each burn severity class varied widely. When daily burned area exceeded 1250 ha, the burned area contained about 50 % crown fire, 30 % severe surface burn, and 20 % light surface burn. Understanding the effect of fire on landscape heterogeneity is important because the kinds, amounts, and spatial distribution of burned and unburned areas may influence the reestablishment of plant species on burned sites.     

Distribution and conservation status of coastal sage scrub in southwestern California

Abstract. A landscape-based characterization of vegetation has been developed for southwestern California using satellite imagery, air photos, existing vegetation maps, and field data. Distribution maps of nine dominant coastal scrub species and 13 species assemblages that were identified by divisive information analysis have been analyzed to quantify spatial patterns of species co-occurrence. Three general distribution patterns are identified that suggest the Diegan, Ventaran and Riversidian Associations identified by other workers. Vegetation data have also been related to land ownership and management to assess the conservation status of upland plant communities. A large proportion of the mapped distribution of species and vegetation types is on private land, and several taxa show less than 4 % of mapped distribution in nature reserves. The analysis highlights the need to extend current conservation planning efforts into the northern part of the region to encompass areas where Salvia leucophylla is a frequent community dominant.     

Where to invest in road mitigation? A comparison of multiscale wildlife data to inform roadway prioritization

Roads and associated traffic have significant impacts on wildlife, from direct mortality caused by vehicle collisions to indirect effects when wildlife avoid roads, restricting access to important resources. Road mitigation measures such as constructing wildlife passages over or under the road with directional fencing have proven effective at reducing wildlife vehicle collisions while also enabling wildlife to safely cross the road. Highway mitigation projects are led by transportation agencies with a primary purpose of improving motorist safety. More recently, through the discipline of road ecology, considerations have included safe wildlife passage through transportation corridors. To prioritize road sections for mitigation, data sources include animal vehicle collision data collected by transportation agencies and connectivity models generated by wildlife professionals. We used a third data source, pronghorn observations collected by citizen scientists, and demonstrated its value to prioritize potential wildlife mitigation sites. Our results clearly demonstrate a misalignment of road mitigation sites using animal-vehicle collision data and those of rarer species of interest.