Sediment connectivity linked to vegetation using UAVs: High-resolution imagery for ecosystem management.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Estrany, Joan; Ruiz, Maurici; Calsamiglia, Aleix; Carriquí, Marc; García-Comendador, Julián; Nadal, Miquel; Fortesa, Josep; López-Tarazón, José A.; Medrano, Hipólito; Gago, Jorge
- Source
- Science of the Total Environment. Jun2019, Vol. 671, p1192-1205. 14p.
- Subject
- Language
- ISSN
- 0048-9697
In this study, a low-cost unmanned aerial vehicle was used to obtain multi-spectral high-resolution imagery (1.4 cm px−1) from 2 microcatchments (3.3 ha) with burned Mediterranean shrubland and pine forests. This imagery was used to calculate the blue normalized differential vegetation index and to generate digital elevation models for estimating the sediment connectivity index. Both indices enabled an integrated approach for deciphering how hydrological and sediment connectivity interact with vegetation as well as soil conservation structures. The application of spatial analysis improves our understanding of the feedback between biological and geomorphological processes. Local spatial data analysis established a significant link between local geomorphological and biological factors, enabling a precise identification of homogeneous areas at micro-catchment scale and the minimal size of vegetation units reacting to geomorphology as natural groups at plot-scale where management strategies and efforts should be applied. Establishing this local relationship between sediment connectivity and vegetation patterns through new and interdisciplinary methodologies represents a new strategy for the assessment of ecosystem dynamics and management. Unlabelled Image • Very high-resolution multi-spectral imagery are used to generate HR-DEM models. • Relations between sediment connectivity and post-disturbance vegetation dynamics are mapped. • Spatial data established significant links between local bio-geomorphological factors. • Hotspot areas where management strategies should be applied are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]