Hyperspectral Data as a Tool for Assessment of Temporal Changes in Norway Spruce Forest Conditions in a Historically Heavily Polluted Mountainous Region of Czech Republic Affected by Long-Term Acidic Deposition

Jana Albrechtova, Charles University in Prague, albrecht@natur.cuni.c
Zuzana Lhotakova, Charles University in Prague, albrecht@natur.cuni.c
Jan Misurec, Czech Geological Survey, Prague, albrecht@natur.cuni.c
Veronica Kopackova, Czech Geological Survey, Prague, albrecht@natur.cuni.c
Petya Krasteva Entcheva Campbell, NASA GSFC/JCET/UMBC, petya.campbell@nasa.gov (Presenter)
Magda Edwards-Jonášová, CzechGlobe, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, albrecht@natur.cuni.c
Lucie Kupková, Charles University in Prague, albrecht@natur.cuni.c
Lucie Červená, Charles University in Prague, albrecht@natur.cuni.c
Markéta Potůčková, Charles University in Prague, albrecht@natur.cuni.c
Pavel Cudlín, CzechGlobe, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, albrecht@natur.cuni.c

The physiological status of the trees within the ecosystem determines its proper functioning in biogeochemical cycles of carbon, mineral nutrients and water in the landscape. The Krušné Hory Mts. located in the western part of the Czech Republic suffered since the 1950´s till the 1990´s heavy atmospheric pollution due to the mining activities and coal combustion adjacent to the mountain range. Acidic deposition in combination with harsh climatic conditions led to forest decline there. Although the load of SO2 has significantly decreased since 1991, tree damage was still visible in 1998 in terms of high defoliation or dead trees. Nowadays Norway spruce trees do not exhibit visible symptoms of damage but we suppose that the full recovery of Norway spruce forests is not complete yet due to persisting adverse soil conditions.
Hyperspectral data in combination with chemical analyses of tree foliage and soil offer a tool for large-scale diagnostics of vegetation physiological status. In 1998 a hyperspectral dataset was acquired in the Krušné Hory Mts. during the NASA project using a prototype ASAS sensor. In 2013 the next hyperspectral dataset was acquired using APEX sensor in purpose to 1) assess the actual physiological status of Norway spruce stands and to 2) compare the physiological status of trees between 1998 and 2013 based on hyperspectral images. In 2013 the complex field sampling was accomplished as a ground-truth: The evaluation of crown status (defoliation, LAI), foliar chemistry, soil chemistry, laboratory spectroscopy of needles and soil.
The next step of the project is to design the predictive models for pigments and other biochemical stress indicators based on laboratory spectroscopy and upscale the models to the canopy level. The final complex conclusion about the temporal change in Norway spruce physiological status after processing the hyperspectral data will provide the information on a larger spatial scale for the local forest management.
In conclusion:
Comparing 1998 to 2013 data, according to a crown status (total tree damage class) the Norway spruce fitness improvement in the Central KH was observed in 2013 and the conclusion was supported by biochemically determined photosynthetic pigments ratios. However, in the Western KH the changes in health status of Norway spruce have not change dramatically between 1998 and 2013.
Statistical classification (REP and SIPI) of Norway spruce health status was retrieved from APEX image data.
Comparison of NDVI705 between 1998 and 2013 corresponded to ground truth results and revealed improvement of Norway Spruce health status between 1998 and 2013, particularly in the area of the Central KH.

Presentation: 2015_Poster_Albrechtova_258_302.pdf (4879k)

Presentation Type:  Poster

Session:  Theme 4: Human influence on global ecosystems   (Mon 4:30 PM)

Associated Project(s): 

• Campbell, Petya: Assessing ecosystem diversity and urban boundaries using surface reflectance and emissivity at varying spectral and spatial scales ...details
• Middleton, Betsy: Spectral Bio-Indicators of Ecosystem Photosynthetic Efficiency II: Synthesis and Integration ...details
• Related Activity: Related Activity or Previously Funded CC&E Activity not listed ...details

Poster Location ID: 258