Can optical remote sensing be used to monitor drought effects on ecosystem water status and fluxes?
Claudio, Helen*,1, Gamon, John1, Cheng, Yufu1, Fuentes, David1, Sims, Daniel2, Qiu, Hong-lie1, Luo, Hongyan3, Oechel, Walter3, 1 California State University, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA2 Ball State University, Muncie, IN3 California State University, San Diego, San Diego, CA ABSTRACT- Spectral reflectance coupled with CO2 and H2O flux data were gathered at Sky Oaks Biological Field Station, a chaparral-dominated ecosystem in San Diego County, California. The reflectance data were collected by a semi-automated tram system taking measurements at regular intervals, while CO2 and H2O flux data were gathered with an eddy covariance flux tower. A primary goal was to test the ability of the water band index (WBI), an optical indicator of water content, to follow drought effects on ecosystem water status and flux. The water band index (WBI) was more closely correlated with the ecosystem H2O flux than with the CO2 flux, particularly in the drought year as the vegetation died. WBI was dynamic i
