Live Fuel Moisture Content Mapping in the Mediterranean Basin Using Random Forests and Combining MODIS Spectral and Thermal Data

Camprubí, Àngel Cunill; González‐Moreno, Pablo; Dios, Víctor Resco de

doi:10.3390/rs14133162

Cited by 18 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…Remotely sensed data provide an opportunity for estimating LFMC over large areas at fine spatial and temporal resolutions (Cunill Camprubí et al, 2022; Nolan et al, 2016; Yebra et al, 2018), but species‐specific calibrations are still required to link remotely sensed estimates of vegetation water content to LFMC (Yebra et al, 2013). Models of LFMC based on spectral observations hold promise to overcome this gap, with good results in ecosystems where species‐specific calibration and validation data are available (Yebra & Chuvieco, 2009; Yebra et al, 2013, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Specific leaf area and vapour pressure deficit control live fuel moisture content

et al. 2023

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The live fuel moisture content (LFMC) is an important precondition for wildfire activity, yet it remains challenging to predict LFMC due to the dynamic interplay between atmospheric and hydrological conditions that determine the plant's access to, and loss of water. We monitored LFMC and a range of plant water‐use traits (predawn and midday leaf water potentials [Ψleaf]), leaf traits (specific leaf area [SLA]), hydrological status (soil water content [SWC] in the shallow layer and full profile) and atmospheric variables (air temperature, vapour pressure deficit [VPD], CO2 concentrations) in a mature eucalypt woodland at the Eucalyptus Free‐Air CO2 Enrichment (EucFACE) facility during a drought. We combined plant traits, hydrological status and atmospheric variables into a biophysical model to predict LFMC dynamics, and compared these with predictions of LFMC based on a satellite model and established relationships between Ψleaf and LFMC from pressure–volume curves. Predawn Ψleaf could be well predicted from changes in SWC, but variation in midday Ψleaf and LFMC were more responsive to atmospheric than hydrological variables. The biophysical model explained up to 89% of variability in LFMC and outperformed established approaches to predict LFMC. SLA was the single most important variable to predict LFMC, followed by VPD, which explained 33% of the remaining variability in LFMC. Our study demonstrates that the co‐variation of plant traits and atmospheric and hydrological conditions affect LFMC during drought, suggesting a new way forward for predicting LFMC by combining biophysical and satellite‐based models of LFMC with seasonal forecasts of meteorological and hydrological variables. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Specific leaf area and vapour pressure deficit control live fuel moisture content

et al. 2023

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“…We explored several indicators relating fuel moisture content and meteorological danger conditions. We examined trends in live fuel moisture content (LFMC) using a recently developed remotely-sensed product based on MODIS imagery (Cunill Camprubí et al, 2022). We also investigated temporal patterns in vapor pressure deficit (VPD), one of the main drivers of compounded live and dead fuel moisture content (Resco de Dios et al, 2021), following previous protocols (Nolan et al, 2016).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drivers and implications of the extreme 2022 wildfire season in Southwest Europe

Rodrígues

Camprubí²,

Balaguer‐Romano

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Wildfire is a common phenomenon in Mediterranean countries but the 2022 fire season has been extreme in southwest Europe (Portugal, Spain and France). Burned area has exceeded the 2001-2021 median by a factor of 52 in some regions and large wildfires started to occur in June- July, earlier than the traditional fire season. These anomalies were associated with record-breaking values of fuel dryness, atmospheric water demand and pyrometeorological conditions. For instance, live fuel moisture content was below the historical minima for almost 50% of the season in some regions. Wildfire impacts are primarily social and economical in these fire-prone landscapes, but they may prompt large- scale degradation if this anomaly becomes more common under climate change, as is expected. As climate changes intensify, we can expect this to become the new normal in large parts of the continent. Climate change is already here and delaying fuel management will only worsen the wildfire problem. Here we provide a preliminary though comprehensive analysis of 2022 wildfire season in southwest Europe.

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“…Incipient mortality thresholds of Pinus ponderosa seedlings occurred at similar RWC and xylem water potentials across populations or organs, similar to values at leaf turgor loss point. Additionally, water content and RWC may potentially advance large‐scale monitoring of forest responses using remote sensing (Cunill Camprubí et al, 2022; Sapes & Sala, 2021; Sapes et al, 2019). Despite such progress, knowledge gaps remain regarding RWC coordination among plant organs (leaves, stems and roots) or at the whole plant level in relation to tree mortality.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Root relative water content is a potential signal for impending mortality of a subtropical conifer during extreme drought stress

Duan

Shao

et al. 2023

Plant Cell & Environment

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Adaptation to future climates characterized by more frequent severe droughts requires enhanced mechanistic understanding of tree mortality. However, our knowledge of the physiological limits to withstand extreme drought, and how the coordination between water and carbon traits enhances survival, is still limited. Potted seedlings of Pinus massoniana were dehydrated to three target droughts (percentage loss of stem hydraulic conductivity of ca. 50%, 85%, and 100%; PLC50, PLC85 and PLC100) and then relieved from these target droughts by fully rewatering. Predawn and midday water potentials (Ψ), relative water content (RWC), PLC and nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) were monitored. During drought, Ψ and RWC declined as PLC increased. Root RWC declined more rapidly than other organ RWCs, particularly after PLC50 stress. All organ NSC concentrations were above predrought values. During rewatering, water trait recovery declined as drought increased, with no mortality at PLC50 but 75% mortality at PLC85. The observed stem hydraulic recovery at PLC50 following rewatering was not correlated to NSC dynamics. Collectively, our results highlighted the primary role of hydraulic failure in Pinus massoniana seedling mortality by assessing mortality threshold and links among water status and water supply. Root RWC can be considered as a potential warning signal of P. massoniana mortality.

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Live Fuel Moisture Content Mapping in the Mediterranean Basin Using Random Forests and Combining MODIS Spectral and Thermal Data

Cited by 18 publications

References 60 publications

Specific leaf area and vapour pressure deficit control live fuel moisture content

Specific leaf area and vapour pressure deficit control live fuel moisture content

Drivers and implications of the extreme 2022 wildfire season in Southwest Europe

Root relative water content is a potential signal for impending mortality of a subtropical conifer during extreme drought stress

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