COS 6-9
On the use of high-fidelity remote sensing to evaluate ecological indicators: A case study using the Rim Fire
The third largest wildfire in California’s recorded history, the Rim Fire, has created numerous challenges for land management agencies ranging from assessing post-fire effects, to planning ecological restoration projects that factor in numerous multi-scale objectives. Remotely sensed data sources sample the landscape wall-to-wall and provide consistent measurements that facilitate the assessment of changes in ecosystem dynamics and indicators through time. Using existing field data and recently acquired multi-temporal imaging spectroscopy (AKA hyperspectral) and high-density Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data, we present several specific examples of how these novel datasets can and are being leveraged to monitor key indicators associated with ecosystem function, structure and composition. The evaluation of these indictors provides essential baseline information to land managers and help set the stage for post-fire restoration planning. This case study demonstrates how the intersection of landscape ecology, ecophysiology and multi-temporal data is providing information on ecosystem indicators and landscape dynamics at multiple scales.
Results/Conclusions
Our preliminary results show that the metrics derived from this newer-generation of remotely sensed data serve as suitable proxies for evaluating ecological indicators. While not necessarily a replacement for field-based measurements, the coupling of high-resolution imaging spectroscopy and LIDAR with field measurements provides spatially contiguous information that enhances science-based decision making. With the emphasis that public lands management agencies are placing upon the implementation and evaluation of ecological restoration objectives, these types of tools are essential and will become more commonplace, particularly in landscape-level assessments. Additionally, this project highlights the critical nature of NASA’s upcoming HyspIRI mission to provide enhanced information on the diverse plant communities within the Rim Fire footprint.