Project Overview
The study of plant phenology dates back thousands of years, and phenological changes are widely regarded as an important indicator, and effect of, climate change. In 1987, Dr. Elisabeth Beaubien started the PlantWatch citizen science network to collect phenology data in Alberta, Canada. These data include spring leaf-out/bloom time records from 30 plantspecies collected by roughly 700 observers.
Citizen science phenological records are particularly useful for local scale observations of discrete phenological events, such as the flowering of plant species. However, citizen science data are limited by the distribution of potential observers. Remote sensing is a useful tool to compare, validate, and extend the range of phenological observations beyond what could be achieved through citizen science data.
In this study, I compare these two methods of tracking plant phenology and greenup, by comparing and cross-validating remote sensing-based indices for greenup such as NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and EVI (Enhanced Vegetation Index) with the leafing and flowering data from the Alberta PlantWatch citizen science network. I found that correlation of the remotely sensed greenup date with PlantWatch data depends both on the data source, and the surrounding landcover type. This study highlights that ground based phenological networks and land surface phenology data can be used to complement one-another, and are both important in the long term monitoring of the effects of climate change.
Citizen science phenological records are particularly useful for local scale observations of discrete phenological events, such as the flowering of plant species. However, citizen science data are limited by the distribution of potential observers. Remote sensing is a useful tool to compare, validate, and extend the range of phenological observations beyond what could be achieved through citizen science data.
In this study, I compare these two methods of tracking plant phenology and greenup, by comparing and cross-validating remote sensing-based indices for greenup such as NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and EVI (Enhanced Vegetation Index) with the leafing and flowering data from the Alberta PlantWatch citizen science network. I found that correlation of the remotely sensed greenup date with PlantWatch data depends both on the data source, and the surrounding landcover type. This study highlights that ground based phenological networks and land surface phenology data can be used to complement one-another, and are both important in the long term monitoring of the effects of climate change.
About the author
My name is Logan Purdy and I am currently completing the second year of the dual-degree Transfor-M masters program at the University of Alberta. I completed the first year of the program, studying for an MSc in Conservation and Land Management at Bangor University in Wales. I'm currently studying for a Master of Forestry at the University of Alberta. I also possess an undergraduate degree in BSc Environmental and Conservation Sciences with a major in Conservation Biology from the University of Alberta. If you have any questions or comments about this project, feel free to contact me. You can find my email on the contact page of this website.