Remote Sensing Detection of Growing Season Freeze-Induced Defoliation of Montane Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) in Southern Utah, USA

Wright, Timothy E.; Chikamoto, Yoshimitsu; Birch, Joseph D.; Lutz, James A.

doi:10.3390/rs16183477

Remote Sensing Detection of Growing Season Freeze-Induced Defoliation of Montane Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) in Southern Utah, USA

Journal Article · Thu Sep 19 00:00:00 EDT 2024 · Remote Sensing

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16183477· OSTI ID:2496800

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Growing season freeze events pose a threat to quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), leading to canopy defoliation, reduced vigor, and increased mortality, especially for declining montane populations western North America. Detecting the spatial distribution and progression of this damage is challenging due to limited in situ observations in this region. This study represents the first attempt to comprehensively resolve the spatial extent of freeze-induced aspen canopy damage in southern Utah using multispectral remote sensing data. We developed an approach to detect the spatial and temporal dynamics of freeze-damaged aspen stands, focusing on a freeze event from 8–9 June 2020 in southern Utah. By integrating medium- (~250 to 500 m) and high-resolution (~10 m) satellite data, we employed the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to compare post-freeze conditions with historical norms and pre-freeze conditions. Our analysis revealed NDVI reductions of 0.10 to 0.40 from pre-freeze values and a second flush recovery. We introduced a pixel-based method to evaluate freeze vulnerability, establishing a strong correlation (R values 0.78 to 0.82) between the onset of the first flush (NDVI > 0.50) and the accumulation of 100 growing degree days (GDD). These methods support the potential for retrospective assessments, proactive forest monitoring, and forecasting future risks.

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Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0016605

OSTI ID:: 2496800

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2448363

Journal Information:: Remote Sensing, Journal Name: Remote Sensing Journal Issue: 18 Vol. 16; ISSN 2072-4292; ISSN RSBSBZ

Publisher:: MDPI AGCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: Switzerland

Language:: English

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