ForWarn II

Satellite-Based Change Recognition and Tracking

Drought

Assessing defoliation in the Boise National Forest

Thu, 09/13/2018 - 11:13 -- stevenorman
Defoliation on the Boise

ForWarn’s ability to accurately map defoliation comes from the high temporal frequency of the source imagery (MODIS). With any change detection, multiple disturbances are often at work in the same landscape at the same time, so careful assessment requires consideration of other stressors or disturbances.

In the Boise National Forest, defoliation from the spruce budworm and large wildfire have been recurring every year. Recently, a periodic eruption of the Douglas fir tussock moth has begun, and drought is episodic.

Insect defoliation in Fremont National Forest, OR

Wed, 09/14/2016 - 09:14 -- wchristie

ForWarn potentially indicates that an area in the Fremont National Forest, Oregon experienced a decline in green vegetation due to the Mountain Pine Beetle from 2004 through 2010 and still may not have recovered in terms of vegetation canopy greenness. The anomaly may also be associated with climate change initiating a shift in vegetation type in the area.

Monitoring the state of Rhode Island's forests

Wed, 08/10/2016 - 16:35 -- stevenorman
Gypsy Moth defoliation affected a large part of Rhode Island in 2016

Remote sensing technologies provide an increasingly efficient way to monitor large tracts of forest canopy conditions in near-real-time and seasonally. Observational systems, such as ForWarn's MODIS-based product line, provide a continuous weekly stream of observational data that can be readily processed in ways that are useful for summary reports on changing forest conditions. Remote sensing approaches to regional monitoring are particularly powerful when they use consistent measures, sophisticated baselines for defining "normal", and cross jurisdictional boundaries.

Drought in Sequoia National Forest, CA

Mon, 06/06/2016 - 08:57 -- wchristie

ForWarn has identified several potential threats to the Sequoia National Forest, California in May, 2016. Potential drought-induced delay in spring greennup created elevation banding within the forest. There is historical decline in vegetation greenness due to the western pine beetle causing tree mortality as well as tree vulnerability to disease during this time of year.

Drought in CA

Wed, 07/01/2015 - 09:10 -- wchristie

ForWarn detected a drought anomaly in grass dominant areas of California. Grass is an ephemeral indicator of drought, browning and regreening in a noticeable pattern consistent with expectations of reduced spring productivity. The decline will continue to reduce as the grasses transition to their normative summer brown.

Phenology and Drought in Eastern MT

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 11:55 -- wchristie

ForWarn observed peculiar anomalies within the privately owned shrubland/grasslands of eastern Montana. The anomaly began in late April had has been intensifying. Since grasses are particularly susceptible to drought, that is a potential cause for departure within the area of concern. However, the phenology of grasses responding to winter-spring climate conditions may play a role in the decline. The unusually warm spring could cause delayed greenup or an unproductive year for the grasses.

Drought in OR

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 11:48 -- wchristie

ForWarn noticed a decline in vegetation greenness in the shrublands and grasslands north and south of the Columbia River, Oregon. There is evidence of strong departure compared to the long-term average and intensifies with elevation. A severe drought in southeast Oregon is creating dieback in vegetation.

Drought in CA

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 11:45 -- wchristie

ForWarn detected a decline in vegetation greenness in California. Grass and shrublands during this year have displayed drought behavior more considerably compared to the long-term seasonal average. This year, there is more departure in the 1 year in the northern region, because it is now worse than it was before. Drought in California over the years is the cause of vegetation departure which has been under the long-term average.

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - Drought