Variability in spectral characteristics of trampled high-mountain grasslands
Journal Title: Miscellanea Geographica - Regional Studies on Development - Year 2014, Vol 18, Issue 2
Abstract
The goal of the paper is a presentation of field remote sensing methods for the analysis of the trampled plants of a highly protected mountain meadow ecosystem (M&B UNESCO Reserve and one of the most important Polish National Parks). The research area covers a core part of the Western Tatras - the Gąsienicowa Valley and Kasprowy Wierch summit, which are among the most visited destinations of the Polish Tatras. The research method is based on field hyperspectral measurements, using the ASD FieldSpec 3 spectrometer, on the dominant plant species of alpine swards. Sampling sites were located on trampled areas (next to trails) and reference plots, with the same species, but located more than 10 m from the trail (where the probability of trampling was very low, but the same composition of analysed plants). In each case, homogenous plots with a domination of one plant species were investigated. Based on the hyperspectral measurements, spectral characteristics as well as vegetation indices were analysed with the ANOVA statistical test. This indicated a varied resistance to trampling of the studied plant species. The analysis of vegetation indices enabled the selection of those groups which are the most useful for research into mountain vegetation condition: the broadband greenness group; the narrowband greenness group, measuring chlorophyll content and cell structure; and the canopy water content group. The results of the analyses show that vegetation of the High Tatras is characterised by optimal ranges of remote sensing indices. Only plants located nearest to the trails were in a worse condition (chlorophyll and water content was lower for the reference targets). These differences are statistically significant, but the measured values indicate a good condition of vegetation along trampled trails, within the range of optimum plant characteristics.
Authors and Affiliations
Bogdan Zagajewski, Marlena Kycko, Anna Kozłowska
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP169257
- DOI 10.2478/mgrsd-2014-0003
- Views 86
- Downloads 0
Anthropogenic transformation of the relief of the Aegean Islands
The purpose of this article is to present the role of human impact in the forming and transformation of the relief of the Aegean Islands. The most significant changes (with a displacement of more than 10 bln m3 of rock m...
SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN WARSAW DISTRICTS AND THE AVAILABILITY OF EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Polish schools achieve their educational aims, as set out in the curriculum, within the framework of obligatory class periods. Extracurricular activities may be organised when schools receive additional funding from loca...
Multidimensionality of immigrant integration policy at the local level. Examples of initiatives in Germany and The United Kingdom
Awareness that immigrant integration takes place at a local level has been growing for several years. Immigration policy debates and decisions mostly occur at the national level, but the question of how to implement immi...
“Metropolregionen” in Germany: The Enforcement of Global City-Regions
Under the conditions of globalisation, economic success has been related in politics and theoretical debate to the strength of regions. The concept of the region has therefore also been strengthened in Germany. Within th...
THE VISTULA RIVER AS ONE OF POLAND’S SYMBOLS AND ITS PERCEPTION BY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM VISTULA TOWNS
This paper presents the perception of the Vistula river, the most important of Poland’s rivers, by high-school students from selected Vistula towns and cities. The study of the perception of this river, conducted in 2006...