Phenological Classification of the United States: A Geographic Framework for Extending Multi-Sensor Time-Series Data

• Published in: Remote Sensing
• Main Authors: Willem J. D. van Leeuwen, Tomoaki Miura, Jesslyn F. Brown, Yingxin Gu, Bradley C. Reed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2010-02-01
• Subjects: phenology; remote sensing; MODIS NDVI; geographic framework; phenological classification; pheno-class
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/2/2/526/

This study introduces a new geographic framework, phenological classification, for the conterminous United States based on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time-series data and a digital elevation model. The resulting pheno-class map is comprised of 40 pheno-classes, each having unique phenological and topographic characteristics. Cross-comparison of the pheno-classes with the 2001 National Land Cover Database indicates that the new map contains additional phenological and climate information. The pheno-class framework may be a suitable basis for the development of an Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR)-MODIS NDVI translation algorithm and for various biogeographic studies.