Tracking vegetation phenology in a climate change context. From proximal to remote sensing.

Speakers

Sofia Cerasoli | CEF, ISA, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal

Nicolas Delpierre | Université Paris-Sud, France

Edoardo Cremonese | ARPA, Italy

Mirco Migliavacca | Max Planck, Jena, Germany

Abstract

Phenology is the study of changes in vegetation life cycles and how they are affected by climate variables. Changes in phenology are major biological indicators of the impact of climate change on vegetation, with consequences on carbon sequestration and biodiversity. The study of phenology is a key stone in our understanding of ecosystem functioning under climate change in the long term or during climate extremes.

Traditional phenological observations are massively time and resources consuming. In recent years, the use of digital photography and proximal spectral sensors proved their suitability in measuring phenological parameters in a cost-effective way at local scale. However, methodological issues, such as the analysis of long temporal trends or of complex ecosystems are still open and deserve further studies.

Time series from remote sensed observations at moderate spatial resolution can also be employed to analyze vegetation changes overtime. However, the low number of available observations and a mismatch between spatial and temporal scale between in-situ and remote observations is still a challenge in the interpretation of remote sensed information for phenology studies.

The objective of this symposia is to present actual opportunity and future perspectives in the area of remote sensed vegetation phenology for ecology studies.

Short Presentations

Traditional in-situ phenology observations and remote sensing. Limits and opportunities
Nicolas Delpierre

Proximal and remote sensing for phenology studies
Edoardo Cremonese

Near-surface remote sensing of plant phenology in heterogeneous ecosystems
Mirco Migliavacca