Abstract ID: 261

Regional disturbance over Amazon forest from a single synoptic-scale event

Through the use of satellite data, spectral mixture analysis (SMA), and observed measurements of forest disturbance (including downed and dead trees, snapped tress and structural damage on trees) we estimated the extension and intensity of forest damage produced by a squall line event. Using a single set of endmembers of green vegetation (GV), non-photosynthetic vegetation (NPV), soil, and shade and an unconstrained SMA applied to Landsat images, we calculated endmember fractional abundance. The change in NPV (dNPV) for periods before and after the squall line event was then calculated, and 5 areas with 6 classes from low to high dNPV values were selected. Plots were set up over each one of these classes in each of the 5 areas to measure forest disturbance. dNPV showed a strong relationship with forest disturbance. Our results show that over the Manaus region more than 30000 km^2 of forest area were affected by the squall line event.

Session:  Carbon - Forest dynamics, natural disturbance, and recovery. (A)

Presentation Type:  Oral