Objective: To use remotely sensed, fine-resolution, hyperspectral data to gain insights into plant physiology along elevational gradients. These data can be compared with leaf-level field measurements of red spruce and balsam fir (Richardson, Berlyn and Gregoire, in press, American Journal of Botany) and paper birch (Richardson and Berlyn, in preparation) reflectance.
Significance: The use of reflectance measures to quickly and non-invasively monitor plant response to stress is a quickly-developing field. To date, only a few papers (Filella and Penuelas, 1999; Richardson, Berlyn and Gregoire, in press, American Journal of Botany) have studied reflectance properties along elevational gradients. The availability of hyperspectral data adds a new twist to this, and will make our study novel and highly significant.
Methods: We will use data obtained by Earth Search Sciences Incorporated, Kalispell, Montana, for Eco-Probe, in conjunction with a digital elevation map of the two study sites. We will use the data to calculate a variety of published reflectance indicies that are known to be indicators of various aspects of plant physiology. These may include the PRI, chl NDI, red edge position, and SIPI. We will examine trends in these indices along elevational transects.