Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2824
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2824
23 Jan 2024
 | 23 Jan 2024

Predicting the productivity of Alpine grasslands using remote sensing information

Saverio Vicario, Marta Magnani, Maria Adamo, Gianna Vivaldo, Chiara Richiardi, Mariasilvia Giamberini, and Antonello Provenzale

Abstract. Gross primary productivity (GPP) is a crucial variable for ecosystem dynamics, and it can significantly vary on the small spatial scales of vegetation and environmental heterogeneity. This is especially true for mountain ecosystems, which pose severe difficulties to field monitoring. In addition, the specificity of such ecosystems and the extreme abiotic conditions that they experience often make global and regional models unsuited to predictions. In this case, remote sensing products offer the opportunity to explore the productivity of vegetation communities in remote areas such as Alpine grasslands all year round, and empirical models can help in the challenge of modelling Alpine GPP. Along these lines, we took a hybrid approach, blending several remote sensing data sources (such as a high-definition digital terrain model and moderate- and high- resolution satellite products such as MODIS and Sentinel 2) and gridded datasets such as ERA5 with in situ measurements to implement a specific empirical model. The resulting remote-sensing-based model developed here was suited to represent the measured primary productivity in different areas within a high-altitude grassland at the Nivolet plain, in the north-western Italian Alps at 2700–2500 m amsl. A cross-validation approach allowed us to evaluate to what extent a single empirical model could represent diverse communities and different abiotic factors found in these areas. We finally identified the ratio between MCARI2 and MSAVI2 as a good predictor of light use efficiency, a key factor in the empirical model, probably due to its good correlation with the leaves phenological status, inasmuch it estimates the ratio between chlorophyll and the ensemble of leaf pigments.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Saverio Vicario, Marta Magnani, Maria Adamo, Gianna Vivaldo, Chiara Richiardi, Mariasilvia Giamberini, and Antonello Provenzale

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2824', Anonymous Referee #1, 04 Mar 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', saverio vicario, 06 May 2024
    • AC4: 'Reply on RC1 second version', saverio vicario, 14 May 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2824', Anonymous Referee #2, 23 Mar 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC2', saverio vicario, 06 May 2024
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC2', saverio vicario, 14 May 2024

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2824', Anonymous Referee #1, 04 Mar 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', saverio vicario, 06 May 2024
    • AC4: 'Reply on RC1 second version', saverio vicario, 14 May 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2824', Anonymous Referee #2, 23 Mar 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC2', saverio vicario, 06 May 2024
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC2', saverio vicario, 14 May 2024
Saverio Vicario, Marta Magnani, Maria Adamo, Gianna Vivaldo, Chiara Richiardi, Mariasilvia Giamberini, and Antonello Provenzale
Saverio Vicario, Marta Magnani, Maria Adamo, Gianna Vivaldo, Chiara Richiardi, Mariasilvia Giamberini, and Antonello Provenzale

Viewed

Total article views: 474 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total BibTeX EndNote
340 101 33 474 14 13
  • HTML: 340
  • PDF: 101
  • XML: 33
  • Total: 474
  • BibTeX: 14
  • EndNote: 13
Views and downloads (calculated since 23 Jan 2024)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 23 Jan 2024)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 457 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 457 with geography defined and 0 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 
Latest update: 12 Nov 2024
Download
Short summary
The high altitude Alpine grassland in Gran Paradiso National Park is a productive ecosystem key in the conservation of Alpine Ibex, in the preservation the practice transhumance relevant for alpine economy. The article develop an empirical model to robustly estimate primary productivity. In the analysis, the ratio of chlorophyll over total leaf pigments stand as a powerful addition, once climate model estimate of soil moisture fail to correctly follow real trends in the alpine valley of Nivolet.