Showing papers by "Christopher O. Justice published in 2013"

High-Resolution Global Maps of 21st-Century Forest Cover Change

Abstract: Quantification of global forest change has been lacking despite the recognized importance of forest ecosystem services. In this study, Earth observation satellite data were used to map global forest loss (2.3 million square kilometers) and gain (0.8 million square kilometers) from 2000 to 2012 at a spatial resolution of 30 meters. The tropics were the only climate domain to exhibit a trend, with forest loss increasing by 2101 square kilometers per year. Brazil's well-documented reduction in deforestation was offset by increasing forest loss in Indonesia, Malaysia, Paraguay, Bolivia, Zambia, Angola, and elsewhere. Intensive forestry practiced within subtropical forests resulted in the highest rates of forest change globally. Boreal forest loss due largely to fire and forestry was second to that in the tropics in absolute and proportional terms. These results depict a globally consistent and locally relevant record of forest change.

Land and cryosphere products from Suomi NPP VIIRS: Overview and status

Abstract: [1] The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument was launched in October 2011 as part of the Suomi National Polar-Orbiting Partnership (S-NPP) The VIIRS instrument was designed to improve upon the capabilities of the operational Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer and provide observation continuity with NASA’s Earth Observing System’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Since the VIIRS first-light images were received in November 2011, NASA- and NOAA-funded scientists have been working to evaluate the instrument performance and generate land and cryosphere products to meet the needs of the NOAA operational users and the NASA science community NOAA’s focus has been on refining a suite of operational products known as Environmental Data Records (EDRs), which were developed according to project specifications under the National Polar-Orbiting Environmental Satellite System The NASA S-NPP Science Team has focused on evaluating the EDRs for science use, developing and testing additional products to meet science data needs, and providing MODIS data product continuity This paper presents to-date findings of the NASA Science Team’s evaluation of the VIIRS land and cryosphere EDRs, specifically Surface Reflectance, Land Surface Temperature, Surface Albedo, Vegetation Indices, Surface Type, Active Fires, Snow Cover, Ice Surface Temperature, and Sea Ice Characterization The study concludes that, for MODIS data product continuity and earth system science, an enhanced suite of land and cryosphere products and associated data system capabilities are needed beyond the EDRs currently available from the VIIRS

Hotspot Analysis of Vegetation Fires and Intensity in the Indian Region

Abstract: In this study, we quantify vegetation fire activity in India using the MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) active fire datasets. We assessed different fire regime attributes, i.e., fire frequency, seasonality, intensity and the type of vegetation burnt in diverse geographical regions. MODIS data from 2002–2010 revealed an average of 63696 fire counts per year with the highest during 2009. Fire season in India extends from October to June with the peak during March. The K-means algorithm identified hotspot regions of fire clusters in diverse regions of India. We examined fire radiative power (FRP) data in the hotspot regions to address which fires burn intensively than others based on the vegetation type. We first assessed the best statistical fit distributions for the FRP data using the probability density functions (PDFs) and ranked them based on Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistic. We then described the fire intensities using empirical cumulative distribution functions (CDFs). Results suggest diverse pdfs for the FRP data that included Burr, Dagum, Johnson as well as Pearson distribution and they varied based on the vegetation type burnt. Analysis from empirical CDFs suggested relatively high fire intensity for closed broadleaved evergreen/ semi-deciduous forests than the other vegetation types. Although, annual sum of FRP for agricultural fires was less than the closed broadleaved evergreen forests, the values were higher than the mosaic vegetation category and broadleaved deciduous forests. These results on fire hotspots and FRP will be useful to address the impact of vegetation fires on air pollution and climate in India.

The Need for Improved Maps of Global Cropland

Abstract: Food security is a key global concern. By 2050, the global population will exceed 9 billion, and a 50% increase in annual agricultural output will be required to keep up with demand. There are significant additional pressures on existing agricultural land through increased competition from the biofuel sector and the need to elevate feed production, which is being driven by higher levels of meat consumption in low- and middle-income countries.

The GOFC-GOLD Fire Mapping and Monitoring Theme: Assessment and Strategic Plans

Abstract: The objectives of the fire mapping and monitoring theme of the global observation of forest and landcover dynamics (GOFC-GOLD) program are to refine and articulate the international requirements for fire related observations, to increase access to and make the best possible use of existing and future observing systems for fire management, policy decision-making and global change research and to ensure the provision of long-term, systematic satellite observations necessary for the production of the full suite of recommended fire products. The GOFC-GOLD Fire Implementation Team also fostered the development of regional networks of data providers and users to capture regional specific information needs and priorities. This chapter discusses specific goals of the program related to pre-fire evaluation, fire observations and post-fire assessment, and the implementation status of corresponding activities. Examples of contributory programs from US agencies are also presented.