Analysis of Desert Plant Community Growth Patterns with High Temporal Resolution Satellite Spectra

Peters, Albert J.; Eve, Marlen; Holt, E. H.; Whitford, Walter G.

doi:10.2307/2404887

Cited by 44 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Similar approaches have been reported by Nagler et al (2005) and Glenn et al (2007). We selected NDVI as an index based on preliminary regression analysis results and prior historical use in Nevada and other arid and semi-arid regions (Malo and Nicholson, 1990;Peters and Eve, 1995;Peters et al, 1997;Weiss et al, 2004). After an examination of Landsat images collected in 2005, which originally included fall and winter dates, we found that images restricted to the growing season (April-September) provided the best correlation with ET.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evapotranspiration of mixed shrub communities in phreatophytic zones of the Great Basin region of Nevada (USA)

et al. 2010

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In this study, evapotranspiration (ET) was estimated for three valleys (White River, Spring Valley and Snake Valley) in the Great Basin region of Nevada (USA) during a 3-year period. ET estimates were based on an energy balance approach using the eddy covariance (EC) method and were scaled to the basin level by developing empirical relationships between ET and remotely sensed spectral data (Landsat). Annual EC-ET values for the three basins and previously published values attained for the same valleys during the same time period were correlated to average normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values for the growing period. Resulting empirical relationships accounted for 97% (p < 0Ð001) of the variation in the EC-ET estimate for the 10 May-5 September growing period, and 93% (p < 0Ð001) of the variation in the EC-ET estimates based on measured or projected yearly ET totals.Variations in yearly ET estimates at the different shrubland sites ranged from 20 to 50 cm during the two dry years (2006 and 2007, not including the irrigated site). Winter precipitation was shown to be a significant driving force in the physiological response of the plants and the yearly ET totals. In the case of White River Valley, the ratio of winter precipitation to reference evapotranspiration (ET ref ) declined from 79 to 11% over the 3-year monitoring period. Overall, ET rates in 2007 (May-Sept.) were highly correlated with the percentage cover of greasewood at the monitoring sites (R 2 D 0Ð96 ŁŁŁ ), regardless of the depth to groundwater.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evapotranspiration of mixed shrub communities in phreatophytic zones of the Great Basin region of Nevada (USA)

et al. 2010

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“…Grasses make up the predominant plant form in nearly all of these areas (Peters et al 1997) which provide habitat and forage for a great diversity of organisms. Recent evidence suggests that many grass species within these areas form intimate and long-lasting symbiotic relationships with a large and diverse community of fungal endophytes, particularly within their roots (Jumpponen 2001, Kovacs and Szigetvari 2002, Lucero et al 2006, Petrini 1996, Smith and Read 1997.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Precipitation increases the abundance of some groups of root-associated fungal endophytes in a semiarid grassland

et al. 2011

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Abstract. Diverse communities of Root-Associated Fungal (RAF) species, including Dark Septate Endophytes (DSE), inhabit grasses in semiarid soils. These aridlands are often distinguished by large but variable precipitation events (monsoons). We sought to compare the composition and fungal load of the RAF community inhabiting the roots of Sporobolus cryptandrus, a dominant forage grass, exposed to variable precipitation events. We used a rainfall manipulation experiment at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge (SNWR) to examine the abundance and composition of the RAF communities using molecular and microscopic techniques. Molecular data reveals that the RAF communities are dominated by Ascomycetes and few sequences were related to Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF). The most dominant group (Paraphaeosphaeria spp.) clearly increased in abundance in response to water amendments and the addition of similar volumes of water appeared to increase similarity among the RAF communities, irrespective of size and distribution of precipitation events. Microscopic examinations of the roots also revealed an increased fungal load when exposed to elevated moisture, irrespective of rainfall frequency. We suggest that the increase in these cosmopolitan and abundant groups of Ascomycete fungi, in part, represents a common but complicated strategy of water translocation in a variety of soil types, similar to that proposed and shown in the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Additional work should examine whether many (or most) members of the Ascomycete RAF also can facultatively broker water in the larger biological network in the soil.

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“…Malo and Nicholson (1990) concluded that phenology of six vegetation types in the Sahel in western Africa as measured by NDVI is affected by soil moisture availability. Peters and Eve (1995) and Peters et al (1997) differentiated shrub, grass, and mixed shrub and grass vegetation of incomplete canopy coverage in a Chihuahuan Desert site in southern New Mexico. Through interpretation of the temporal differences of NDVI time-series with respect to seasonal precipitation, these authors concluded that fixed measurement areas normalize the soil background influence so that meaningful vegetation signals can be distinguished.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term vegetation monitoring with NDVI in a diverse semi-arid setting, central New Mexico, USA

Weiss

Gutzler

Coonrod

et al. 2004

Journal of Arid Environments

181

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Analysis of Desert Plant Community Growth Patterns with High Temporal Resolution Satellite Spectra

Cited by 44 publications

References 22 publications

Evapotranspiration of mixed shrub communities in phreatophytic zones of the Great Basin region of Nevada (USA)

Evapotranspiration of mixed shrub communities in phreatophytic zones of the Great Basin region of Nevada (USA)

Precipitation increases the abundance of some groups of root-associated fungal endophytes in a semiarid grassland

Long-term vegetation monitoring with NDVI in a diverse semi-arid setting, central New Mexico, USA

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