Why Study Land Cover?

Our GPS readings are accurate to about ± 16 meters. Satellite ground tracks do not exactly cover any one 30 m x 30 m site If the 90 m x 90 m area is homogeneous, the Landsat image and the Land Cover Site can be aligned Each ground site needs to be compared with a pixel in the Landsat image LC_Vis_2

densiometer clinometer Land Cover Data Collection

Basic Overview of the protocol Find a 90 x 90 meter homogeneous plot. In the center of this area create a 30 x 30 meter plot.

Overview of the protocol –Determine the MUC Code –Perform biometry measurements. Within the 30 x 30 meter plot:

How Often Must the Land Cover Protocol Be Done? Only once a year during the peak of the growing season

What do I need? GPS unit –latitude and longitude Compass Flags

What do I need? 50-meter tape Densiometer Clinometer Cool clothes and sunscreen!!!!

How to establish the 30 x 30 meter plot Find a SAFE area! Does not have to be forest land

How to establish the 30 x 30 meter plot Locate the center point and mark it with a flag At the center point, use a GPS unit to find latitude and longitude

How to establish the 30 x 30 meter plot Locate the 4 cardinal directions from the center – N, S, E, W. – Take pictures of these and send in to GLOBE

The corners of the plot will be NE, NW, SE, SW directions. Measure (or pace) 21.2 meters from the center towards each corner – mark each with a flag How to establish the 30 x 30 meter plot

Collecting biometry data in the 30 x 30 meter plot Take canopy and groundcover measurements along the 21.2m half-diagonal. +-

Additional biometry data will ensure an accurate MUC classification. Collecting biometry data in the 30 x 30 meter plot

Biometry measurements Determine the most detailed MUC classification: –Determine the dominant type of land cover –Determine the dominant tree species –Measure tree height and circumference. –Identifying what other types of vegetation are present.

For Help Jerry Cobbs Lynn Vaughan AMSTI-GLOBE Technology SpecialistResource Specialist Robin Nelson AMSTI-GLOBE Science Administrator