Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) satellite data derived from the Moderate Resolution... more Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) satellite data derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor were used to generate time-series data for discrete landtypes in Northern Territory (NT) tropical savanna rangelands. Measures of vegetation flush were determined using area under the time-series curve for each growing season, and were regressed against the corresponding annual rainfall. Predicted values of flush
ABSTRACT Improving our knowledge of pre-anthropogenic landscapes is vital for understanding lands... more ABSTRACT Improving our knowledge of pre-anthropogenic landscapes is vital for understanding landscape-scale heterogeneity and for setting goals and objectives for ecological restoration. This is especially important in highly modified landscapes that contain few remnants of pre-impact ecosystems. This study aims to develop new methodology to improve understanding of historical vegetation, using the now-degraded inhabited highlands of the Galapagos Islands as a case study. Our multidisciplinary approach innovatively combines data from interviews with residents who were familiar with the vegetation before most degradation occurred with the more traditional sources of historical aerial photography and information from early explorer and scientist reports. We reconstruct historical vegetation across the landscape by mapping it in the year 1960 and discussing this map in the historical context of anthropogenic change. Our results confirm published vegetation types but also define some other types not previously described, and suggest much greater spatial, temporal and structural heterogeneity than commonly understood. This result can be used by Galapagos land managers to better match species assemblages with sites and plan restoration actions that will maximise resilience against the ongoing and future threats of climate change and species invasions. Our methodology can be applied in extensive areas of the world where the majority of anthropogenic disturbance to natural ecosystems has been within the past 60 years.
... islands due to the combined impacts of land-use change and plant invasions (Watson et al ... ... more ... islands due to the combined impacts of land-use change and plant invasions (Watson et al ... Trillmich (1991) proposed that many Galápagos plants only germinate, grow, and set a new seed ... dry periods by having a long-lived seed bank or mech-anisms for water conservation. ...
Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) satellite data derived from the Moderate Resolution... more Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) satellite data derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor were used to generate time-series data for discrete landtypes in Northern Territory (NT) tropical savanna rangelands. Measures of vegetation flush were determined using area under the time-series curve for each growing season, and were regressed against the corresponding annual rainfall. Predicted values of flush
ABSTRACT Improving our knowledge of pre-anthropogenic landscapes is vital for understanding lands... more ABSTRACT Improving our knowledge of pre-anthropogenic landscapes is vital for understanding landscape-scale heterogeneity and for setting goals and objectives for ecological restoration. This is especially important in highly modified landscapes that contain few remnants of pre-impact ecosystems. This study aims to develop new methodology to improve understanding of historical vegetation, using the now-degraded inhabited highlands of the Galapagos Islands as a case study. Our multidisciplinary approach innovatively combines data from interviews with residents who were familiar with the vegetation before most degradation occurred with the more traditional sources of historical aerial photography and information from early explorer and scientist reports. We reconstruct historical vegetation across the landscape by mapping it in the year 1960 and discussing this map in the historical context of anthropogenic change. Our results confirm published vegetation types but also define some other types not previously described, and suggest much greater spatial, temporal and structural heterogeneity than commonly understood. This result can be used by Galapagos land managers to better match species assemblages with sites and plan restoration actions that will maximise resilience against the ongoing and future threats of climate change and species invasions. Our methodology can be applied in extensive areas of the world where the majority of anthropogenic disturbance to natural ecosystems has been within the past 60 years.
... islands due to the combined impacts of land-use change and plant invasions (Watson et al ... ... more ... islands due to the combined impacts of land-use change and plant invasions (Watson et al ... Trillmich (1991) proposed that many Galápagos plants only germinate, grow, and set a new seed ... dry periods by having a long-lived seed bank or mech-anisms for water conservation. ...
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