Discovering Ecotones

Scott Ferson

funded by Electric Power Research Institute and Empire State Electric Energy Research Corporation

Project Description

        Remote sensing observations of vegetation have been suggested as a means to detect the effects of global change, and some research efforts in this direction have yielded good results in forecasting variations on a seasonal level. Despite this experience however, there is little confidence that this approach can be used to detect incipient global change effects on vegetation. Thus broad-scale remote sensing approaches are not likely to be a source of timely observations during the coming years when crucial policy decisions need to be made. The suggestion that monitoring efforts concentrate on vegetation boundaries (called ecotones) where plants are presumed to be near the edge of their physiological tolerance has serious complications. In particular, ecotones that are especially sharp and obvious to observers are the least sensitive to the kinds of environmental alterations induced by global changes. However, there is a class of transition zones that, although more subtle in appearance, are strongly sensitive to environmental changes and thus would be ideal for use as monitors of incipient global changes. We propose to develop the necessary methodology to detect the various classes of vegetation ecotones and distinguish sensitive ones for monitoring the environment. The results of the project are described in the following publication.

Ferson, S., C. Kurtz, and D. Slice. 1995. Sensitive Landscape Features for Detecting Biotic Effects of Global Change. Electric Power Research Institute EPRI TR-105216, Palo Alto, CA.

Ferson, S. Timberlines (and other ecotones) are poor indicators for global change effects. [forthcoming; request a preprint from admin@ramas.com

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