Research
Vegetation Community Functioning on the Barrier Islands... Delmarva Peninsula
Vegetation Community Functioning on the Barrier Islands... Delmarva Peninsula
National Park Service Cooperative Agreement No. 4560C0031
Characterization of vegetation biophysical metrics like Leaf Area Index (LAI) is accomplished with a unique small-footprint airborne scanning LiDAR (Light Detections and Ranging) system. Field sampling verifies remotely sensed data, and describes site water relations. Resource (water), geomorphic, and vegetation assemblage gradients identified by field observation are tested for correlation with patterns in LAI and other pertinent vegetation measures like height, basal area, and community structure. Combining precise (and, island-wide) remotely sensed properties and field environmental data should provide a robust characterizati on of fundamental physiological interactions such as water and LAI in transpiration. This project will also investigate the applicability of findings to the development of monitoring protocols and the parameterization of system models that could guide management decisions.
Contact Info: Mike O'Connell
