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Satellite Observations of Climate and Vegetation Water Use over the Sierra Nevada. Eric Waller Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California, Berkeley SSCZO Annual Meeting Fresno, CA 8/20/13. MODIS Terra, 7-2-1 July 14, 2011. Lake Tahoe.
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Satellite Observations of Climate and Vegetation Water Use over the Sierra Nevada Eric Waller Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California, Berkeley SSCZO Annual Meeting Fresno, CA 8/20/13
MODIS Terra, 7-2-1 July 14, 2011 Lake Tahoe Yosemite N.P. San Francisco Kings Canyon N.P. Sequoia N.P. Giant Sequoia Groves Los Angeles
Providence Creek Sites Giant Sequoia Groves April Cloud Frequency: Custom Classification of MODIS Aqua Data (2003-2011)
Questions • Is atmosphere frequently humid, with clouds just a visible manifestation on days of lower temperatures? • Exogenous vs. endogenous moisture?
Other MODIS data indicate: • Low daytime thermal land surface temperature (LST) • AND • Low day vs. night LST contrast (See Figure on next slide) • Particularly in relation to air temperature and vegetation index (e.g., NDVI), respectively • Indicative of particularly well-watered conditions • Atmosphere directly above regularly has high relative humidity
Providence Creek Sites MODIS Aqua Land Surface Temperature Contrast (Day-Night) 6/17/2013
Providence Creek Sites Giant Sequoia Groves April Cloud Frequency: Custom Classification of MODIS Aqua Data (2003-2011)