Comparisons of savanna functioning, phenology, and disturbance in Brazil and Australia using MODIS and TRMM satellite data
Abstract
The savanna biome is comprised of complex vegetation structures with multifunctional herbaceous (grass) and woody (tree- shrub) layers, each responding uniquely to different environmental controls. Globally, their rich biodiversity is under pressure from land conversion to crops, pastures, grazing activities, and fire. A better understanding of their vegetation functioning, seasonal dynamics and phenology, and responses to climate, disturbance, and management practices is needed. This study focuses on two contrasting tropical savanna regions; the Brazilian cerrado and the savanna biome in northern Australia. The cerrado has open to closed woodlands and is the most intensively converted (pastures), whereas the Australian savanna is relatively undisturbed and encompasses both wet and dry savanna classes along an ecological rainfall gradient. We investigated these environmental and management drivers on savanna class seasonal functioning patterns using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) vegetation index (VI) time series from 2000 to 2013 combined with rainfall data over the same time period from the Tropical Rainfall Monitoring Mission (TRMM). We found unique seasonal/ phenological vegetation response patterns with varying tree- grass ratios, rainfall seasonal distribution, and magnitude of land conversion and management. Temporal VI profiles of both regions depicted high seasonal contrasts in vegetation production over the pronounced dry and wet seasons, and seasonal amplitude variations varied negatively with the presence and extent of woody tree cover. We found pronounced shifts in seasonal/ phenology patterns in both Brazilian cerrado and Australian savanna induced by land conversion. Lastly, sensitivity to climate variability was greatest in the areas dominated with low tree-grass ratios.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2013
- Bibcode:
- 2013AGUFM.B53G..07R
- Keywords:
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- 0480 BIOGEOSCIENCES Remote sensing;
- 0439 BIOGEOSCIENCES Ecosystems;
- structure and dynamics;
- 0429 BIOGEOSCIENCES Climate dynamics