Higher northern latitude normalized difference vegetation index and growing season trends from 1982 to 1999

Abstract

Normalized difference vegetation index data from the polar-orbiting National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration meteorological satellites from 1982 to 1999 show significant variations in photosynthetic activity and growing season length at latitudes above 35 degrees N. Two distinct periods of increasing plant growth are apparent: 1982-1991 and 1992-1999, separated by a reduction from 1991 to 1992 associated with global cooling resulting from the volcanic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in June 1991. The average May to September normalized difference vegetation index from 45 degrees N to 75 degrees N increased by 9% from 1982 to 1991, decreased by 5% from 1991 to 1992, and increased by 8% from 1992 to 1999. Variations in the normalized difference vegetation index were associated with variations in the start of the growing season of -5.6, +3.9, and -1.7 days respectively, for the three time periods. Our results support surface temperature increases within the same period at higher northern latitudes where temperature limits plant growth.

Phosphorus nutrition of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is decreasing in Europe

“…Elevated atmospheric CO 2 concentrations as well as increased temperature seem to increase the C/P ratio of plants, while the effect of drought is still unclear (Sardans et al 2011). In addition, the growing season was found to be extended in Europe (Menzel and Fabian 1999) leading to higher photosynthetic activity (Tucker et al 2001). The rise in temperature and extended growing season combined with higher N deposition led to increased forest growth (Pretzsch et al 2014), which might also induce P imbalances.…”

Applicability of Green-Red Vegetation Index for Remote Sensing of Vegetation Phenology

“…In fact, time-series datasets of spectral indices obtained by satellite remote sensing have demonstrated its usefulness in detecting the earlier shift in spring phenology on a regional scale [2][3][4][5][6][7], understanding the phenological response to meteorological conditions and developing a prognostic leaf onset model [8,9], and classifying vegetation types [10].…”

Modelling Tundra Vegetation Response to Recent Arctic Warming

“…Changes in Arctic plant communities may already be taking place in response to warming over recent decades. Important lines of evidence include positive trends in surface greenness and photosynthetic activity inferred from satellite data (Tucker et al 2001;Bunn and Goetz 2006;Bhatt et al 2010;Beck and Goetz 2011), advancement of elevational and latitudinal treelines (Sonesson and Hoogesteger 1983;Kullman 2002;Harsch et al 2009;Van Bogaert et al 2010, 2011, and an increased cover, abundance and stature of shrubs in tundra areas (Kullman 2002;Jia et al 2003;Tømmervik et al 2004;Tape et al 2006;Hedenås et al 2011;Rundqvist et al 2011). Despite numerous local exceptions, the weight of evidence from observational studies suggests that, in general, Arctic vegetation is responding to rising temperatures through increases in productivity, density, cover and stature of vegetation and, in many areas, an increase in woody biomass and the representation of trees and shrubs (Post et al 2009;Callaghan et al 2011;Elmendorf et al 2012).…”