Canopy traits in remote sensing of floristic and functional vegetation patterns

• Antragsteller: Professor Dr. Hannes Feilhauer
• Fachliche Zuordnung: Physische Geographie
• Förderung: Förderung von 2013 bis 2016
• Projektkennung: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 235220469

Maps of vegetation patterns such as spatial variation in floristic composition and plant functional attributes (e.g., distribution of functional plant traits and plant functional types) are required in ecology, ecosystem modeling, and nature conservation. One frequently applied approach to generate these maps relies on imaging spectroscopy. In this approach, relations between a vegetation sample and the corresponding canopy reflectance are quantified based on statistical models. These models are subsequently applied onto the imagery. Although several successful examples of such applications exist, fundamental questions regarding the causal relations between vegetation patterns and canopy reflectance are still open. In particular the role of canopy optical traits remains poorly understood. Canopy optical traits determine the reflectance signal of vegetation and include canopy biochemistry, morphological and structural properties, as well as litter. The proposed project will test the qualitative and quantitative contribution of these traits to remote sensing of floristic and functional vegetation patterns. The tests will be implemented in two non-forest ecosystems. The analyses are based on a combination of mechanistic canopy reflectance models and statistical approaches. Results are expected to deepen the knowledge on relationships between spectral reflectance properties and vegetation patterns. This is expected to help to improve existing remote-sensing approaches.

• DFG-Verfahren: Sachbeihilfen