Description

This training, led by NASA's Applied Remote Sensing Training (ARSET) program, focuses on the use of remote sensing to understand phenology, which is the study of life-cycle events. Phenological patterns and processes can vary greatly across a range of spatial and temporal scales, and can provide insights about ecological processes like invasive species encroachment, drought, wildlife habitat, and wildfire potential. 

This training highlights NASA-funded tools to observe and study phenology across a range of scales. Participants are exposed to the latest in phenological observatory networks and science, and how these observations relate to ecosystem services, the carbon cycle, biodiversity, and conservation.

Prerequisites

• Fundamentals of Remote Sensing

Objectives

By the end of this training series, attendees will be able to:

• Summarize NASA satellites and sensors that can be used for monitoring global phenology patterns
• Outline the benefits and limitations of NASA data for phenology
• Describe the multi-scalar approach to vegetation life cycle analyses
• Compare and contrast data from multiple phenology networks
• Evaluate various projects and case-study examples of phenological data.

Target Audience

This training is designed for individuals and organizations interested in using satellite imagery for mapping vegetation health and seasonal patterns. Professional organizations in the public and private sectors engaged in environmental management and monitoring will be given preference over organizations focused primarily on research.

Course Format

• Three 1-hour parts

Sessions

Part 1: Overview of Phenology and Remote Sensing

Part 1 covers: 

• An introduction to NASA data and phenology 
• Land surface phenology from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS)

Materials

• Part 1 Presentation Slides (PDF 59.1 MB)
• Part 1 Q&A Transcript (PDF, 0.1 MB)

Materiales en Español

• Diapositivas de la Presentación de la Parte 1 (PDF, 7.9 MB)

Part 2: Scales of Phenology

Part 2 covers:

• Resolving challenges associated with variability in space, time, and resolution for phenology research and applications
• USA-National Phenology Network (NPN) and The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON)
• Phenocam: Near-surface phenology
• Conservation Science Partners

Materials

• Part 2 Presentation Slides (PDF, 62.1 MB)
• Part 2 Q&A Transcript (PDF, .09 MB)

Materiales en Español

• Diapositivas de la Presentación de la Parte 2 (PDF, 7.8 MB)

Part 3: Utility and Advantage of Multi-Scale Analysis

Part 3 covers:

• Field based phenology and gridded products
• Case-study examples:
  • Integration of PhenoCam near-surface remote sensing and satellite phenological data
  • Greenwave modeling
  • Urbanization and plant phenology

Materials

• Part 3 Presentation Slides (PDF, 5.5 MB)
• Part 3 Q&A Transcript (PDF, 0.1 MB)

Homework 

• Homework (Due July 28, 2020)

Materiales en Español

• Diapositivas de la Presentación de la Parte 3 (PDF, 5.6 MB)

Tarea

• Tarea (vence el 28 de julio de 2020)