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SNF VEGETATION COVER DATA: C. JARVIS
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SNF Vegetation Cover Data: C. Jarvis Data Set Guide Document

Summary:

This data set documentation is currently in work. In the interim, an abstract of the entire Superior National Forest (SNF) data collection activity from which the SNF Vegetation Cover Data: C. Jarvis Data Set is a product is being provided.

During the summers of 1983 and 1984, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) conducted an intensive experiment in a portion of the Superior National Forest (SNF) near Ely, Minnesota, USA. The purpose of the experiment was to investigate the ability of remote sensing to provide estimates of biophysical properties of ecosystems, such as leaf area index (LAI), biomass and net primary productivity (NPP). The study area covered a 50 x 50 km area centered at approximately 48 degrees North latitude and 92 degrees West longitude in northeastern Minnesota at the southern edge of the North American boreal forest. The SNF is mostly covered by boreal forest. Boreal forests were chosen for this project because of their relative taxonomic simplicity, their great extent, and their potential sensitivity to climatic change. Satellite, aircraft, helicopter and ground observations were obtained for the study area.

These data comprise a unique dataset for the investigation of the relationships between the radiometric and biophysical properties of vegetated canopies. This is perhaps the most complete dataset of its type ever collected over a forested region.

Table of Contents:

  1. Data Set Overview
  2. Investigator(s)
  3. Theory of Measurements
  4. Equipment
  5. Data Acquisition Methods
  6. Observations
  7. Data Description
  8. Data Organization
  9. Data Manipulations
  10. Errors
  11. Notes
  12. Application of the Data Set
  13. Future Modifications and Plans
  14. Software
  15. Data Access
  16. Output Products and Availability
  17. References
  18. Glossary of Terms
  19. List of Acronyms
  20. Document Information

1. Data Set Overview:

Data Set Identification:

SNF Vegetation Cover Data: C. Jarvis.

Data Set Introduction:

These data comprise a unique dataset for the investigation of the relationships between the radiometric and biophysical properties of vegetated canopies. This is perhaps the most complete dataset of its type ever collected over a forested region.

Objective/Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of remote sensing to provide estimates of biophysical properties of ecosystems, such as leaf area index (LAI), biomass and net primary productivity (NPP). A key goal of the experiment was to use the aircraft measurements to scale up to satellite observations for the remote sensing of biophysical parameters.

Summary of Parameters:

There are ten (10) parameters for this dataset. Items 1 and 2 refer to the site and the specific plot studied within that site. 1. Site identification 2. Plot number within site 3. Size of plot in meters in diameter 4. Plant growth form 5. Plant species code 6. Diameter at breast height 7. Diameter of shrub 8. Number of plants in plot with the given set of characteristics 9. Plant species common name 10. The Latin (botanical) name of the species

Discussion:

This data set documentation is currently in work. In the interim, an abstract of the entire Superior National Forest (SNF) data collection activity from which the SNF Vegetation Cover Data: C. Jarvis Data Set is a product is being provided.

During the summers of 1983 and 1984, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) conducted an intensive experiment in a portion of the Superior National Forest (SNF) near Ely, Minnesota, USA. The purpose of the experiment was to investigate the ability of remote sensing to provide estimates of biophysical properties of ecosystems, such as leaf area index (LAI), biomass and net primary productivity (NPP). The study area covered a 50 x 50 km area centered at approximately 48 degrees North latitude and 92 degrees West longitude in northeastern Minnesota at the southern edge of the North American boreal forest. The SNF is mostly covered by boreal forest. Boreal forests were chosen for this project because of their relative taxonomic simplicity, their great extent, and their potential sensitivity to climatic change. Satellite, aircraft, helicopter and ground observations were obtained for the study area.

These data comprise a unique dataset for the investigation of the relationships between the radiometric and biophysical properties of vegetated canopies. This is perhaps the most complete dataset of its type ever collected over a forested region.

Detailed vegetation data were collected on the ground for about 100 sampled sites. These sites represent a range of stand density and age for spruce and aspen and also include jackpine and mixed stands. At each site, five circular subplots of 16 meters in diameter were sampled within a large plot of 60 meters in diameter. Within the subplots, all woody stems over 2 meters in height were tallied by species, diameter, and height. Within each subplot, coverage by vegetation was determined for the canopy, subcanopy and understory. Thirty each of black spruce and aspen trees from outside the plots were sacrificed and dimension analysis relations developed between diameter at breast height, biomass and leaf area index. Also, above-ground NPP was estimated for each test site. For the aspen sites, bark area and understory leaf area indexes were found. During the spring, measurements of understory leaf extension and canopy coverage were made on several days to describe the phenology of an aspen stand.

Measurements of the optical properties of canopy components were made for wavelengths between 0.35 and 2.1 micrometers. Reflectance and transmittance properties of leaves and needles of eight major overstory tree species and three understory shrubs were measured. Multiple measurements of aspen and spruce allow an investigation of the variability of optical properties within a species, spagnum moss and leaf litter. Above-canopy reflectance was observed by a helicopter-mounted Barnes Modular Multiband Radiometer (MMR). The helicopter MMR data have a spatial resolution of approximately 32 meters. In 1983, 10 days of data were collected between May and October, with a total of 105 sites observed. In 1984, 8 days of data were collected between May and September, with a total of 29 sites observed. Several sites have multiple observations, to allow studies of seasonal variation. Thematic Mapper Simulator (TMS) data were collected fron the NASA C-130 flying over the SNF. The flights were in a 'criss-cross' pattern to allow observation of the same location with multiple sun and view angles. The TMS scans out to 50 degrees off nadir; in flights at 5000 feet above ground level, a nadir pixel covers 3.81 meters along the scan. Three days of TMS data are presented; these data have been atmospherically corrected and calibrated to determine surface reflectance. A key goal of the experiment was to use the aircraft measurements to scale up to satellite observations for the remote sensing of biophysical parameters.

Related Data Sets:

Not available.

2. Investigator(s):

Investigator(s) Name and Title:

Dr. Celeste Jarvis
NASA Headquarters

Title of Investigation:

Biophysical, Morphological, Canopy Optical Property, and Productivity Data on the Superior National Forest.

Contact Information:

Dr. Celeste Jarvis
NASA Headquarters
Telephone +1 (202) 488-5126
Email: cjarvis@mail.hq.nasa.gov

3. Theory of Measurements:

Not available.

4. Equipment:

Sensor/Instrument Description:

Collection Environment:

Ground-based.

Source/Platform:

Field Investigation.

Source/Platform Mission Objectives:

Not available.

Key Variables:

Principles of Operation:

Not available.

Sensor/Instrument Measurement Geometry:

Not available.

Manufacturer of Sensor/Instrument:

Not available.

Calibration:

Not available.

5. Data Acquisition Methods:

Not available.

6. Observations:

Data/Field Notes:

Not available.

7. Data Description:

Spatial Characteristics:

The study area covered a 50 x 50 km area centered at approximately 48 degrees North latitude and 92 degrees West longitude in northeastern Minnesota at the southern edge of the North American boreal forest.

Temporal Characteristics:

During the summers of 1983 and 1984, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) conducted an intensive experiment in a portion of the Superior National Forest (SNF) near Ely, Minnesota, USA.

Data Characteristics:

There are ten (10) parameters for this dataset.

1.
variable=site_id
definition=Site ID
minimum=300
maximum=335

2.
variable=plot_id
definition=Plot number within site
minimum=1
maximum=5

3.
variable=plotsize
definition=Size of plot in meters in diameter
minimum=4
maximum=100

4.
variable=growthfm
definition=Plant growth form
code=TR: tree
code=SA: sapling
code=SE: seedling
code=SH: shrub

5.
variable=speccode
definition=Plant species code [see speccomm (Common Name) and spec_sci (Latin Name)]

6.
variable=dbh
definition=Diameter at breast height
units=inches
minimum=1
maximum=35

7.
variable=shrbdiam
definition=Diameter of shrub
units=feet
minimum=1
maximum=15

8.
variable=freqncy
definition=Number of plants in plot with the given set of characteristics
minimum=1
maximum=46

9.
variable=speccom
definition=Plant species common name

10.
variable=spec_sci
definition=The Latin (botanical) name of the species

Sample Data Record:

site_id    plot_id    plotsize    growthfm  speccode    dbh    shrbdiam
----------------------------------------------------------------------
300        1          10          "TR"      "MISS"      -999   -999
freqncy       speccomm           spec_sci
-----------------------------------------
-999          " "                " "

8. Data Organization:

Data Granularity:

A general description of data granularity as it applies to the IMS appears in the EOSDIS Glossary.

Data Format:

The data files associated with this data set consist of numeric and character fields of varying lengths aligned in columns. The first row of each data file contains the 8 character SAS variable name that links to the data format definition file. Character fields are enclosed in double quotes and numeric fields are listed without quotes.

Below are the first three lines of the data file.

site_id       plot_id       plotsize      growthfmspeccode    dbh           shrbdiam      freqncy       speccomm                                  spec_sci
300           1             10            "TR"    "MISS"      -999          -999          -999          " "                                       " " 
300           1             10            "SA"    "MISS"      -999          -999          -999          " "                                       " " 

Missing data values can be of two varieties:

  1. Values that were identified as missing in the original data files. Missing numeric values of this type are identified in these data as -999.

  2. Those holes that were created as a result of combining files that contained a slightly different variable set. Missing values of this type are identified in these data files as empty double quotes for character fields and a single period, '.' for numeric fields.

9. Data Manipulations:

Not available.

10. Errors:

Sources of Error:

Not available.

Quality Assessment:

Data Validation by Source:

Not available.

Confidence Level/Accuracy Judgment:

Not available.

Measurement Error for Parameters:

Not available.

Additional Quality Assessments:

Not available.

Data Verification by Data Center:

The Superior National Forest data was received from the Goddard Space Flight Center in three media:

Data from both electronic sources were input into SAS by ORNL DAAC data management staff and compared using computer code developed to process the SNF data. In many cases, the data values from both sources were found to be identical. In some cases, however, differences were identified and the providers of the data were consulted to resolve inconsistencies.

Additionally, some variable columns were available in one source, but not the other for various reasons. For example, some calculated variables/columns were provided in the ASCII files (reflecting the Tech Memo tables) that were not stored in the Oracle database for purposes of space conservation.

For similar reasons, coded values were used for many of the site and species identifier variables. A separate reference table was provided to link the coded variable with its definition, e.g., the SPECIES_REF file and the SITE_REF file.

The database produced by the ORNL DAAC is a hybrid product that is a composite of data and information extracted from all three source media. In data sets where coded variables were included, the code definition variables have been added to improve usability of the data set as a stand-alone product.

Therefore the ASCII files that are available through the ORNL DAAC on-line search and order systems are output from a data set that is a product of the essential core of numeric data provided by the data source (GSFC), augmented with additional descriptive information provided by GSFC and reorganized by the ORNL DAAC into a data structure consistent with other similar data sets maintained by the ORNL DAAC.

11. Notes:

Limitations of the Data:

Not available.

Known Problems with the Data:

None known at this revision.

Usage Guidance:

Not available.

Any Other Relevant Information about the Study:

None.

12. Application of the Data Set:

Not available.

13. Future Modifications and Plans:

None known at this revision.

14. Software:

Not available.

15. Data Access:

Contact Information:

ORNL DAAC User Services
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Telephone: (865) 241-3952
FAX: (865) 574-4665
Email: ornldaac@ornl.gov

Data Center Identification:

ORNL Distributed Active Archive Center
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Telephone: (865) 241-3952
FAX: (865) 574-4665
Email: ornldaac@ornl.gov

Procedures for Obtaining Data:

Users may place requests by telephone, electronic mail, or FAX. Data is also available via the World Wide Web at http://daac.ornl.gov.

Data Center Status/Plans:

The Superior National Forest Data is available from the ORNL DAAC. Please contact the ORNL DAAC User Services Office for the most current information about these data.

16. Output Products and Availability:

Available via FTP or on CD-ROM.

17. References:

Not available.

Archive/DBMS Usage Documentation.

Contact the EOS Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, Tennessee (see the Data Center Identification Section). Documentation about using the archive and/or online access to the data at the ORNL DAAC is not available at this revision.

18. Glossary of Terms:

A general glossary for the DAAC is located at EOSDIS Glossary.

19. List of Acronyms:

URL Uniform Resource Locator

A general list of acronyms for the DAAC is available at http://cdiac.ornl.gov/pns/acronyms.html

20. Document Information:

Not available.

Document Review Date:

March 6, 1997.

Document ID:

ORNL-SNF_CJ_VEG.

Citation:

Please cite the following NASA Technical Memorandum 104568 in any work or any publication using these data:

Hall, F.G., K.F. Huemmrich, D.E. Strebel, S.J. Goetz, J.E. Nickeson, and K.D. Woods, July 1992. Biophysical, Morphological, Canopy Optical Property, and Productivity Data From the Superior National Forest. NASA Technical Memorandum 104568. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, D.C. 20546. doi:10.3334/ORNLDAAC/189.

Document Curator:

DAAC Staff

Document Author:

Merilyn J. Gentry
mjg@walden.rmt.utk.edu

Document URL

http://daac.ornl.gov