Utilizing MODIS LAI to Identify Vegetative Anomalies in Yosemite National Park
J.
W.
Skiles, Earth Science Division, NASA Ames Research Center, joseph.w.skiles@nasa.gov
(Presenting)
Cindy
L.
Schmidt, Earth Science Division, NASA Ames Research Center, cschmidt@mail.arc.nasa.gov
Matthew
Voss, ARC DEVELOP Internship Program, chiatt@mail.arc.nasa.gov
Allison
Husby, ARC DEVELOP Internship Program, chiatt@mail.arc.nasa.gov
Allison
Suarez, ARC DEVELOP Internship Program, chiatt@mail.arc.nasa.gov
Siddhartha
Oza, ARC DEVELOP Internship Program, chiatt@mail.arc.nasa.gov
Sachi
Lake, ARC DEVELOP Internship Program, chiatt@mail.arc.nasa.gov
Kristen
Lavelle, ARC DEVELOP Internship Program, chiatt@mail.arc.nasa.gov
During Summer 2006, students from ARC's NASA DEVELOP program examined vegetation disturbances in Yosemite National Park using remotely sensed data. These disturbances can result in forest fragmentation and subsequent loss of wildlife habitat. The project utilized the MODIS Leaf Area Index (LAI) product in the analysis of vegetation in Yosemite. LAI provides a ratio of leaf area to total ground area. The LAI data for each month were averaged from 2001 to 2005. Data for the summer months of 2005 were compared with the monthly averages to produce a map of LAI anomalies. These maps were overlaid with known areas of insect infestation, snow cover or recent wild fire. Field work was conducted to verify the known causes disturbance and ascertain the causes of unexplained anomalies. Using MODIS LAI and ancillary data, locations of unknown anomalies for further investigation were developed for use by our research partners. Continuation of the project will result in the creation of an automated site selection and anomaly detecting utility which will allow park managers to quickly view files which provide locations that should be examined. This methodology is of interest to managers of national parks and forests because of the accessibility of MODIS data, its high temporal resolution and the speed with which large areas of land can be analyzed.