Correlation between maximum latewood density of annual tree rings and NDVI based estimates of forest productivity

In boreal conifers, maximum latewood density (MXD) of annual rings varies in response to warm-season temperatures. Vegetation productivity can be estimated using the Normalized-Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) calculated from satellite sensor data. Ground measurements related to productivity are required in order to evaluate these estimates. MXD from three boreal sites was compared with estimates of net primary productivity (NPP) for 1982-1990 produced by the CASA (Carnegie-Ames-Stanford-Approach) model from FASIR (Fourier adjustments, solar zenith angle correction, interpolation at high latitudes, and reconstruction of tropical values) NDVI. All three density series correlated significantly with the CASA estimates, suggesting that in boreal conifers MXD may be an appropriate index for productivity or canopy growth in regions where productivity is strongly temperature-related.

[1]  Harold C. Fritts,et al.  Tree Rings and Climate. , 1978 .

[2]  M. Benarie.  Methods of dendrochronology , 1991 .

[3]  C. Justice,et al.  A Revised Land Surface Parameterization (SiB2) for Atmospheric GCMS. Part II: The Generation of Global Fields of Terrestrial Biophysical Parameters from Satellite Data , 1996 .

[4]  J. Randerson,et al.  Terrestrial ecosystem production: A process model based on global satellite and surface data , 1993 .

[5]  Rosanne D'Arrigo,et al.  Reconstructed Northern Hemisphere annual temperature since 1671 based on high-latitude tree-ring data from North America , 1989 .

[6]  S. Liang,et al.  The University of Maryland improved Global Vegetation Index product , 1994 .

[7]  C. Justice,et al.  Analysis of the phenology of global vegetation using meteorological satellite data , 1985 .

[8]  B. Holben.  Characteristics of maximum-value composite images from temporal AVHRR data , 1986 .

[9]  J. Randerson,et al.  Interannual variation in global‐scale net primary production: Testing model estimates , 1997 .

[10]  F. Schweingruber.  Tree Rings: Basics and Applications of Dendrochronology , 1988 .

[11]  J. Malingreau.  Global vegetation dynamics - Satellite observations over Asia , 1986 .

[12]  S. Running,et al.  Simulating the effects of climatic variation on stem carbon accumulation of a ponderosa pine stand: comparison with annual growth increment data. , 1991, Tree physiology.

[13]  Gordon C. Jacoby,et al.  Tree ring width and density evidence of climatic and potential forest change in Alaska , 1995 .

[14]  I. Fung.  A greener north , 1997, Nature.

[15]  G. Jacoby,et al.  A 263-year record of summer temperature for northern Quebec reconstructed from tree-ring data and evidence of a major climatic shift in the early 1800's , 1988 .

[16]  G. Jacoby,et al.  Tree-ring width and maximum latewood density at the North American tree line: parameters of climatic change , 1992 .

[17]  H. Fritts,et al.  Tree Rings and Climate. , 1978 .

[18]  C. Justice,et al.  A global 1° by 1° NDVI data set for climate studies derived from the GIMMS continental NDVI data , 1994 .

[19]  J. Randerson,et al.  Global net primary production: Combining ecology and remote sensing , 1995 .

[20]  R. Villalba,et al.  A 3620-Year Temperature Record from Fitzroya cupressoides Tree Rings in Southern South America , 1993, Science.

[21]  C. Tucker,et al.  Increased plant growth in the northern high latitudes from 1981 to 1991 , 1997, Nature.

[22]  E. Cook,et al.  Methods of Dendrochronology - Applications in the Environmental Sciences , 1991 .