This document summarizes a case study on assessing phenological observations spatially in an experimental area. Various methods were used to collect phenological and landscape data over time, including aerial photography, sensor networks to monitor abiotic factors, field mapping of plant communities, and processing the data in a GIS. The goals were to integrate multiple data collection techniques to study landscape changes and create phenological mapping and time series. The study area was a site in the Czech Republic where the spatial and temporal progression of phenological phases in species like beech, pine and oak were documented.

1. Spatial Assessment of Phenological Observation
on the Vysoké Pole Experimental Site
Aleš VÁVRA
This presentation is co-financed by the
European Social Fund and the state
budget of the Czech Republic

2. Introduction

Theory
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


About phenology
Phenology mapping
Spatial aspect of phenology
Case study
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Data collection in experimental area
Phenological observation
Spatial processing of data
Second InDOG Doctoral Conference, 14th October – 17th October 2013, Olomouc

3. Phenology

Phenology is the study of periodic cycle of plants life
events and how these are influenced by seasonal and
interannual variations of climate.

Phenological phase of plants - Phenological phases
(phenophase) is well recognizable and annually recurring
state of the development of plants.

We can observe several phenophases in the growing
season on each plant.

Phenology is part of the bioclimatology.
Second InDOG Doctoral Conference, 14th October – 17th October 2013, Olomouc

4. Phenological observation

Growing season - Timeframe in which the good climatic conditions
(enough heat, plenty of rainfall) allow progress of the major life
functions of plants.

Usually lasts from March to November.
(it depends on location and conditions)
The most important phenological phases
(at a wood plants):
 Bud burst
- Inflorence emergency
 First leaves
- Beginning of flowering
 Yellowing of leaves
- End of flowering
 Leaves fallen
- Fruit ripennes
(vegetative)
(generative)
Second InDOG Doctoral Conference, 14th October – 17th October 2013, Olomouc

5. Applications of phenological observations
The results can be applied in:
Agriculture and forestry –
research of vegetation
cycles and determination of their time
of sowing, harvesting, yields
Climate models and predictions
– creation of
phenological models and comparison
with climate models
Human health – important for determining
the onset, duration and location of pollen situations
Second InDOG Doctoral Conference, 14th October – 17th October 2013, Olomouc

6. Phenological mapping

Phenological mapping can express spatial aspect of data from
observation

Phenological observations are in direct relation to climatic
influences - phenological maps can be compared with climate
maps

Based on phenological map, we can predict future phenologic
development

Several methods of phenological mapping, depend on:



amount of observed phenological data
spatial arrangement of input data
scale of mapping
Second InDOG Doctoral Conference, 14th October – 17th October 2013, Olomouc

7. Aims of case study



Focused on comprehensive approach to phenological mapping of
the landscape
Practically verify integration of several methods of data collection
for the study of landscape
Processing and modelling with receive data and creation of time
series datasets and maps
Activities:
 Activity 1 - Small format photography
 Activity 2 - Continuous monitoring of abiotic factors using sensor
networks
 Activity 3 - Phenological and landscape mapping
 Activity 4 - GIS modelling and data processing
Second InDOG Doctoral Conference, 14th October – 17th October 2013, Olomouc

8. Experimental site Vysoké Pole

Experimental site is the location of the Vysoké Pole village. The location
lies at an altitude of 423 m, about 7 km northwest of the town Valašské
Klobouky (Zlín Region).

Site is using for research and study purposes, several methods of
monitoring of landscape are using in this area
Second InDOG Doctoral Conference, 14th October – 17th October 2013, Olomouc

9. Activity 1 - Small format photography


Acquisition of perpendicular or oblique images with high
spatial resolution in the visible and near-infrared part of the
spectrum (0.5 to 0.9 µm)
Using of two UAV devices - DRONE model PIXY and sixmultirotor system Hexakopter XL
Outputs
 Photos of the area
in visible and near
infrared part of the
spectra were taken
from April to October
Second InDOG Doctoral Conference, 14th October – 17th October 2013, Olomouc

10. Second InDOG Doctoral Conference, 14th October – 17th October 2013, Olomouc

11. Activity 2 - Continuous monitoring of abiotic factors
using sensor networks


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Using of sensors, data loggers and wireless sensor networks
in the field
Important for calibration and verification of remote imagery
and phenological mapping
Using of static multispectral camera for continuous sensing of
amount of biomass
Outputs
 Time series datasets and trends of selected abiotic factors
(temperature, precipitation, soil moisture)
 Support data for verification and correlation with
phenological data
 Amount of biomass in different parts of growing season
Second InDOG Doctoral Conference, 14th October – 17th October 2013, Olomouc

12. Multispectral camera image
device SPAD-502
Senzors of soil moisture
(Decagon EC 5 and VIRRIB)
Rain gauge
Control box interface
Temperature senzor (Hobo)
Second InDOG Doctoral Conference, 14th October – 17th October 2013, Olomouc

13. Activity 3 - Phenological and landscape mapping


Overall landscape mapping for determination of current state and
assessment of sustainability
Phenological landscape mapping in area that focuses on comparing
the seasonal development of selected plant communities at
selected sites
Outputs
 Current land use map in the scale 1:10 000, including the
determination of the dominant species and evaluation of the degree
of environmental stability index
 Phenological time series mapping of selected plant species,
including photodocumentation
 Beech, Pine, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Elder, Oak and Wild Cherry
Second InDOG Doctoral Conference, 14th October – 17th October 2013, Olomouc

14. 26. 6.
17. 7.
10. 8.
End of flower. (100%) Beg. of fructification 10% Fruit ripennes 10%
17. 9.
Fruit ripennes 25%
11. 10.
Fruit ripennes 50%
Second InDOG Doctoral Conference, 14th October – 17th October 2013, Olomouc

15. Activity 4 - GIS modelling and data processing
Creation of DEM and DTM, several characteristic of experimetnal site
Elevation
Slope
Aspect
Solar irradiation
Second InDOG Doctoral Conference, 14th October – 17th October 2013, Olomouc

16. Activity 4 - GIS modelling and data processing
Processing of data from small-format photography, NDVI and biomass
Vegetation index NDVI
may
june
august
sept.
Second InDOG Doctoral Conference, 14th October – 17th October 2013, Olomouc

17. Activity 4 - GIS modelling and data processing
Processing of data from phenological observation
Estimation of the onset of phenophase (end of flowering) for pine
Second InDOG Doctoral Conference, 14th October – 17th October 2013, Olomouc

18. Activity 4 - GIS modelling and data processing
Processing of data from phenological observation
Average deviation of onset of selected phenophases for oak
Second InDOG Doctoral Conference, 14th October – 17th October 2013, Olomouc

19. Benefits of case study
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Practical testing of methods of data collection in the field
Buying and testing new devices and software for data
collection and processing
Educational benefit - involving students in research and
practical exercises
Cooperation with other organization and use the results
for the practical development of the area
Gaining experience for future projects and research
Second InDOG Doctoral Conference, 14th October – 17th October 2013, Olomouc

20. Thank you for attention
Aleš VÁVRA,
15. 10. 2013
KGI UP Olomouc
ales.vavra@upol.cz
This presentation is co-financed by the
European Social Fund and the state
budget of the Czech Republic