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Characterizing Multitemporal Alpine Snowmelt Patterns for Ecological Inferences
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Characterizing Multitemporal Alpine Snowmelt Patterns for Ecological Inferences

T R Allen and Stephen J Walsh
Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing, Vol.59(October), pp.1521-1529
1993
url
http://www.asprs.org/Photogrammetric-Engineering-and-Remote-Sensing/PE-RS-Journals.htmlView
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Abstract

Geomatic Engineering
Snowmelt patterns and the persistence of snowpatches into the growing season can profoundly affect the distribution of alpine vegetation. This study applies Markovian transition probability matrices to the problem of characterizing classified multitemporal satellite snow-cover data. Transition probability matrices are used to form hypotheses regarding the effects of snow persistence and ablation patterns on the alpine treeline using an integrated geographic information system. Four cloud-free Landsat MSS (Multispectral Scanner) scenes of a portion of Glacier National Park, Montana were processed to characterize periods of the 1987 snowmelt season. Stratification of the rugged landscape by elevation and slope aspect, achieved through the processing of 1:24.000 base-scale Digital Elevation Models (DEMS) and integrated with the satellite characterizations of snow conditions, demonstrated the dynamics of snow-cover conditions as a consequence of topographic position and antecedent snow conditions. Analysis of transition matrices by topographic position and watersheds highlighted areas of significantly late snowmelt, which holds implications for ecological investigations of alpine treeline by considering snow both as a stressor and protector of vegetation, depending upon its spatial pattern and temporal persistence.

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