Radial Growth and Increased Water-Use Efficiency for Ponderosa Pine Trees in Three Regions in the Western United States

We examined changes in and relationships between radial growth and intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE) of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) trees, climate, and atmospheric CO₂ in the western United States since the mid-nineteenth century. We developed tree-ring chronologies for eight sites in three climate regions and used carbon isotope data to calculate pentadal values of iWUE. We examined relationships among radial growth, climate, iWUE, and CO₂ via correlation and regression analyses. Significant upward trends in iWUE occurred at all sites, and despite an absence of climate changes that would favor growth, upward radial growth trends occurred at five sites. Our findings suggest that increased iWUE associated with rising CO₂ can positively impact tree growth rates in the western United States and are thus an evolving component of forest ecosystem processes.     

Dry/wet variation recorded by shrub tree-rings in the central Badain Jaran Desert of northwestern China

The dendrochronological study of shrubs is a new field, particularly with respect to desert areas. Using a dendrochronological perspective, we studied the radial growth and the climatic response model of the common beancaper (Zygophyllum xanthoxylum Maxim) in three sampling sites in the Badain Jaran Desert of northwestern China. The results showed that the radial growth of the common beancaper was primarily affected by precipitation during the pre-growing and growing seasons, especially during July. Variation in wet/drought periods over the last 160 years in the study area was analyzed using a radial growth climatic response model and data on regional chronology. Using decadal time scales, three wet periods were identified in the Badain Jaran Desert: the 1840s to early 1850s, the early 1890s to the 1900s and the late 1970s to the mid-1980s. Similarly, transitions from dry to wet periods over the last 160 years occurred in the late 1850s, mid-1870s, early 1880s, early 1900s, mid-1920s, early 1950s, early and late 1970s and early 1990s. These results are helpful for understanding regional climate change and the desertification process in arid desert regions.     

Seasonal dynamics of vegetation over the past 100 years inferred from tree rings and climate in Hulunbei'er steppe,northern China

The relationship between monthly vegetation cover anomalies and climate in the Hulunbei'er steppe were studied through analyzing the relationship between regional normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and climatic variables, and NDVI and tree-ring width during the growing season (May–October). The local moisture (dry/wet) and temperature (cold/warm) variations largely affected the vegetation cover and the radial growth of Mongolian pines (Pinus sylvestiris Linnaeus var. mongolica Litvinov) in the steppe. Monthly precipitation and Palmer drought severity index (PDSI) data from the previous to the current growing seasons were positively correlated to regional vegetation cover and radial growth of Mongolian pines; however, negative correlations were found between temperature and vegetation variables. A reconstruction of monthly vegetation cover dynamics for the growing season was created and spans 116 years (from 1891 to 2006). The results show that the total numbers of anomalies for dense and sparse seasonal vegetation cover is 22 years over the 116 year record; about 5–7 relatively dense or sparse periods; and ∼2–8 years significant periodicities (p < 0.05). Linkages to the Pacific Ocean and Arctic Ocean regimes were also detected.     

Regional demographic trends from long-term studies of saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea) across the northern Sonoran Desert

Ten saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea) populations in the northern Sonoran Desert were monitored from 1959 to 2005 to discriminate how climate influences plant growth, abundance, reproductive potential, survivorship, age structure and regeneration trends. Thousands of saguaros were measured to determine site-specific growth rates and survivorship through time. Observed growth rates were used to predict the ages of saguaros and reconstruct local and regional regeneration patterns back to the late 18th century. Both growth rates and degree of branching generally tracked temperature and moisture gradients. Site-specific age–height models explained 89–97% of variance in observed ages, with a slope of nearly one. Regeneration was more consistent at sites in the western (hotter/drier) than eastern (cooler/wetter) sites, which exhibited clear multidecadal variability in regeneration rates. Averaged across the region, saguaro regeneration rates were highest from 1780 to 1860, coincident with wet conditions and high Pinus ponderosa recruitment in the highlands. Milder and wetter winters and protection from livestock grazing likely promoted late 20th century regeneration surges at some sites. Predictions of saguaro population dynamics in the 21st century likely will be confounded by the saguaro's episodic and asynchronous regeneration, continued urbanization, ongoing grass invasions and associated wildfires, and changing climate.     

Long-term changes in the tree radial growth and intrinsic water-use efficiency of Chuanxi spruce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea likiangensis var. balfouriana</Emphasis>) in southwestern China

Elevated CO₂ level in the atmosphere is expected to improve the tree growth rates and intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE). Although current results inferring from tree rings found the tree growth decline in water-limited area, it is still unclear whether spruce trees in humid southwestern China benefit from the increasing CO₂. In this study, tree-ring width data were used to investigate the tree radial growth rate of Chuanxi spruce (Picea likiangensis var. balfouriana). Moreover, combining with the tree-ring carbon isotope date, we analyzed the physiological responses of Chuanxi spruce to rising CO₂ concentrations in the atmosphere (Ca) associated with climatic change in southwestern China. From 1851 to 2009, iWUE of Chuanxi spruce rose by approximately 30.4%, and the ratio of atmospheric CO₂ to leaf intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci/Ca) showed no significant trend in the study area. The result suggested that Chuanxi spruce used an active response strategy when Ca was significantly increased. iWUE showed a significant increasing trend in parallel with tree radial growth, indicating that the increasing iWUE resulted in an increase in radial growth. These results suggest that spruce forests in southwestern China have not shown declining trends under increasing Ca and climate change scenarios, in contrast to trees growing in water-limited areas. Therefore, spruce forests benefit from the increasing CO₂ in the atmosphere in the humid areas of southwestern China.     

Climatic conditionality of radial increment of conifers and hardwoods in the middle taiga subzone of Central Siberia

Presented are the dendroclimatic research results on annual growth rings of spruce, fir, pine, birch and aspen growing in the middle taiga subzone of Central Siberia. The study established the general annual growth ring variability patterns for the conifers (spruce and fir) as well as for the hardwoods (birch and aspen), with the correlation coefficients between their chronologies estimated at 0.38 and 0.46 (p < 0.001), respectively. It is shown that under the given conditions the influence of the climatic factors accounts not more than for 53.5% of the variability in radial increment. For pine this influence is less clearly pronounced because of the content of the more mixed (compared with the other species of this territory) climatic signal. It is found that the temperature conditions of June are of first importance for all species under investigation. For birch and aspen the dependence of radial increment on the amount of precipitation in June is explained by moisture depletion at the period of the most active growth.     

Dendroecological Analysis of Spruce Budworm Outbreaks and their Relation to Climate Near the Prairie-Forest Border in Northwestern Minnesota

This paper investigates the effects of spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) on balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and white spruce (Picea glauca) at Itasca State Park in northwestern Minnesota. We studied the species composition, age structure, and radial growth patterns in tree rings along five belt transects at sites infested with spruce budworm. Our objectives were to: (1) discover when the latest spruce budworm outbreak started; (2) determine whether tree growth was similarly reduced in earlier decades, suggesting earlier spruce budworm outbreaks; and (3) test whether radial tree growth and the start of the outbreak(s) were correlated with climate. We used the computer program OUTBREAK to determine that the current spruce budworm infestation began to reduce tree growth in the 1990s, before it was detected by park officials in 2001. The tree-ring record indicated that growth of the host-species trees was periodically reduced at all sites prior to the 1990s. We found no consistent relationship between temperature/precipitation and the initiation of spruce budworm outbreaks, as reconstructed by the OUTBREAK program, at the southwestern edge of the distribution of balsam fir. The Palmer Drought Severity Index, however, was positive (i.e., wetter-than-normal conditions) before increased spruce budworm activity at all sites. Outbreaks are related to climatic conditions, but they also depend on other factors such as the availability of sufficient food for the spruce budworm.     

Response of newly established Juniperus ashei and Carex planostachys plants to barrier-induced water restriction in surface soil

Plant species in the Edwards Plateau region of central Texas often face drought conditions. Some of these species reduce water stress by rooting into moist bedrock crevices. A dominant woody plant (Juniperus ashei) and co-occurring xeric sedge (Carex planostachys) were greenhouse-grown in growth tubes with or without water-blocking partial barriers in tubes with water added below the barrier (～70 cm). Soil moisture at various depths was related to growth response (above- and below-ground biomass, root length, and number of root tips) per species. Barrier treatment yielded significantly drier soil than non-barrier. Juniperus plants were significantly smaller with barrier treatment, while Carex showed no significant differences between treatments. The results suggest the sedge is more able than the shrub to increase root production in the upper layers of the soil when faced with access restriction to lower layers. The sedge may resist drought by exploring sub-superficial soil layers. When access to sub-superficial water sources is restricted, the shrub is more affected than the sedge. The plants’ growth in water-restricted surface soil for several months suggests these species may not need deep water to survive. In fact seedling growth may differ in mature plants.     

Trophic preferences in an assemblage of mammal herbivores from Andean Puna (Northern Chile)

The patterns of plant consumption and preference were assessed for three mammal herbivores, the rodents Abrocoma cinerea and Chinchilla brevicaudata, and the camelid Vicugna vicugna, co-occurring in the Andean Puna (Chile). The plant proportion in the diet estimated from faeces epidermic materials was compared to transect plant cover. Although the harsh climatic conditions constrained plant availability (low vegetation, xerophytic species rich in secondary metabolites and structural carbohydrates) none of the mammals consumed plants according to their availability, displaying adaptations for efficient plant processing. V. vicugna, with a broad trophic niche, consumed short grasses and secondarily shrubs; C. brevicaudata also combined herbaceous plants and shrubs; and A. cinerea was specialised in shrub-eating. Although trophic overlap between the first two species was moderate, interactions were minimised by the mobility and low-impact grazing of V. vicugna. It is suggested that the diet of the three species differed due to their dissimilar abilities for responding to concentrations of secondary metabolites. The plants preferred by C. brevicaudata and V. vicugna did not carry high nutritional content but rather low content of secondary compounds. Conversely, A. cinerea was able to excrete terpenes, with metabolic costs compensated by the high energetic content of the plants eaten.     

Stem radial growth indicate the options of species,topography and stand management for artificial forests in the western Loess Plateau,China

An understanding of the differences in artificial forest between tree species,slope aspects,and management options in arid environments is fundamentally important for efficient management of these artificial systems;however,few studies have quantified the spatial and temporal differences in stem radial growth of trees in the arid western Loess Plateau of China.Using dendrochronology,we assessed the growth of three woody species(the native shrub Reaumuria soongorica,the exotic shrub Tamarix ramosissima and tree Platycladus orientalis)by measuring the annual stem radial increment.We also describe the long-term growth trends and responses to climatic factors on slopes with different aspects during periods with and without irrigation.We found that precipitation during the main growing season was significantly positively correlated with ring growth for all three species and both slope aspects.In addition,supplemental water(e.g.,irrigation,rainwater harvesting)greatly relieved drought stress and promoted radial growth.Our results suggest that as the main afforestation species in the Loess Plateau used for soil and water conservation,P.orientalis is more suitable than T.ramosissima under rain-fed conditions.However,a landscape that combined a tree(P.orientalis)with a shrub(R.soongorica)and grassland appears likely to represent the best means of ecological restoration in the arid western Loess Plateau.     

Microcoring and dendrometer-detected intra-annual wood formation of Populus euphratica in the Ejina Oasis,northwestern China

Seasonal stem radial growth and wood formation of trees have become research hotspots because of their significance for dendroclimatological and dendroecological studies. However, until recently, these studies concentrated on coniferous tree species in high-altitude and high-latitude regions, while detailed information on arid-zone riparian forests is scarce. The main focus of this study is to monitor the intra-annual dynamics of radial growth and tree ring formation in a deciduous species, Populus euphratica. In 2013, we combined the dendrometer and microcoring methods to study this species in the riparian forest of the Ejina Oasis, in arid northwestern China. Vessel enlargement began in early May, and the maximum rate of cell production occurred in early June. The cell division then ceased from early to mid-July. The dendrometer method failed to reliably detect the date of growth initiation and cessation, but succeeded to detect the time of maximum growth rate just like the microcoring method did. We found that weekly stem radial increment data described xylem growth more accurately than daily datasets. Based on correlation analysis among climatic and hydrologic variables, and weekly stem radial increment, weekly ring width increase dataset, the depth to groundwater was the main factor that limited tree ring growth. From a practical perspective, such studies of intra-annual wood formation can provide empirical guidance for seasonal water allocations within a river basin.     

Litter decomposition rates of two grass species along a semi-arid grassland–forest ecocline

The climatic controls on decomposition rates have gained considerable interest in recent years because of a perceived risk that elevated global temperatures could lead to positive green house gas feedbacks from soil ecosystems. Previous relationships between decomposition rates and abiotic variables like temperature and moisture have been proved confounding, particularly for dryland ecosystems. Decomposition rates of two grass species, Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) Á. Löve and Calamagrostis rubescens Buckley, which represent dominant understory cover at either end of a semi-arid grassland to forest ecocline near Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, were measured. Despite differences in %N and C:N, decomposition rates between the two species were similar. Elevation was strongly correlated with rate of decomposition for both species. We provide evidence of a positive correlation of water availability and a negative correlation of temperature on decomposition rates along the elevational ecocline. Decomposition rates were higher during the wetter spring period than during summer, at higher elevations and in more mesic ecosystems. We found no ‘home-field’ advantage for P. spicata and C. rubescens on decomposition rates. Our results provide evidence that available moisture is an important control on decomposition rates in dryland ecosystems.     

Response of Pediastrum in German floodplain lakes to Late Glacial climate changes

Subfossil remains of the Pediastrum-algae group (Fam. Hydrodictyaceae) are frequently found in lake sediments, but very few studies have used them as palaeoclimate and palaeolimnological indicators. This study explored the species composition of Pediastrum assemblages in shallow floodplain lakes in northern Germany during two transitional periods from cold to temperate climate conditions (GS-2/GI-1 and GI-1/Holocene). We identified Pediastrum taxa to subspecies level and used multivariate statistics (constrained clustering, principal component analysis and redundancy analysis) to show that shifts in taxonomic composition reflected the strong Late Glacial climate oscillations. The Pediastrum assemblages indicate that climate amelioration already begun shortly before the main GS-2/GI-1 summer-temperature transition. In contrast to previous studies that identified trophic state as the main driver of change in Pediastrum species composition, we identified climate shifts and related factors as the major drivers of community change. Water depth and trophic state probably acted as secondary factors that were responsible for differences in Pediastrum response between the first and second investigated climate transitions. During cold periods, Pediastrum algae composition was controlled mainly by environmental variables, whereas during warm periods, Pediastrum assemblages may have been influenced to a greater extent by intra- and intergeneric competition. This study contributes to knowledge about ecological niches of Pediastrum species. Size-measurements on Pediastrum coenobia reveal that one response of Pediastrum algae to climate shifts probably was size change. Coenobia of Pseudopediastrum boryanum var. boryanum were significantly smaller during cold climate periods than during temperate periods. The shifts in Pediastrum species composition and coenobium size suggest this algae group has great potential for enabling palaeoecological and palaeoclimate inferences.     

Changes in rainfall amount and frequency do not affect the outcome of the interaction between the shrub Retama sphaerocarpa and its neighbouring grasses in two semiarid communities

We evaluated the net outcome of the interaction between the shrub Retama sphaerocarpa, our target plant, and different herbaceous neighbours in response to changes in the magnitude and frequency of rainfall events during three years. The experiment was conducted in natural and anthropogenic grasslands dominated by a perennial stress-tolerator and ruderal annual species, respectively. In spite of the neutral or positive effects of neighbours on water availability, neighbouring plants reduced the performance of Retama juveniles, suggesting competition for resources other than water. The negative effects of grasses on the photochemical efficiency of Retama juveniles decreased with higher water availabilities or heavier irrigation pulses, depending on the grassland studied; however, these effects did not extent to the survival and growth of Retama juveniles. Our findings show the prevalence of competitive interactions among the studied plants, regardless of the water availability and its temporal pattern. These results suggest that positive interactions may not prevail under harsher conditions when shade-intolerant species are involved. This study could be used to further refine our predictions of how plant–plant interactions will respond to changes in rainfall, either natural or increased by the ongoing climatic change, in ecosystems where grass–shrubs interactions are prevalent.     

贡嘎山东坡不同海拔高度树轮宽度对气候变化的响应

树木生长对气候变化的响应机制是气候重建的基础,在不同的气候或环境背景下,树轮宽度对气候变化的响应不同,其响应随着地形或海拔等因素的变化而变化。利用采自贡嘎山东坡5个海拔高度的树轮样本建立了树轮宽度年表,并对年表特征、年轮宽度及其对气候要素的响应进行分析,探讨了该区树木径向生长对气候变化的响应关系。结果表明:年轮平均宽度具有随海拔高度的增加而减小的趋势,树轮宽度对气候要素的响应也具有海拔差异。在海拔3700m的森林上限树轮宽度与当年7月份平均温度显著正相关,在海拔3000m高度与3月份平均温度显著正相关,而在海拔2800m树轮宽度与气候因子之间没有显著的响应关系。通过与海螺沟冰川末端进退变化和文献记载的特殊气候年份对比发现,树轮宽度年表与海螺沟冰川进退变化及文献记录的特殊气候年份具有一定的一致性,宽度年表对气候变化具有一定的指示意义。     

The altitudinal climatic effect on the stable isotope compositions of Agave and Opuntia in arid environments – A case study at the Big Bend National Park,Texas, USA

Several environmental factors potentially influence the stable isotope compositions of plants, depending on species and local environment. Although several studies have discussed these aspects in C₃ and C₄ plants, only a few have attempted to identify the major drivers of δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O, and δ¹⁵N in CAM plants. In this study, stable isotopic ratios of CAM plants collected along an altitudinal transect in the Chisos Mountains/USA during two growth seasons, are used to understand major factors governing isotopic variability. A strong and significant relationship between δ¹³C and altitude, positive for agave at <1700 m and negative for both agave and cacti at >1500 m, suggests variable carbon isotope fractionation at different altitudes, which may be unique to CAM plants. Our data suggest that temperature primarily governs δ¹³C of the studied plants. The significant negative correlations observed between the δ¹⁸O of agaves and the recorded air temperature (0.59‰/°C) are similar to the δ¹⁸O of precipitation vs. temperature variability in global data. The δ¹⁵N variations suggest a similar N-source for both agaves and cacti, and reflect progressive changes in the dominant N-source across desert–grassland–woodland zones. We conclude that the stable carbon and oxygen isotope composition of agave reflects the climatic conditions along the elevation transect.     

Adjustments by the Charwell River, New Zealand, to uplift and climatic changes

Major climatic changes and rapid local and regional tectonic movements were common in New Zealand during the late Quaternary and caused a diversity of adjustments in the drainage-basin and piedmont reaches of the Charwell River, which are separated by the Hope Fault. The onset of semi-arid, frigid climates during the latest Pleistocene probably greatly increased hillslope sediment yields in a periglacial environment, and the piedmont reach aggraded as much as 42 m on top of a broad strath. With the return of humid, mesic climates in the Holocene sediment yields decreased as dense forests again mantled the slopes, and the piedmont reach degraded as mush as 81 m. Dating of eleven cut-and-strath terraces by radiocarbon-calibrated weathering rind measurements on greyawake cobbles shows the degradation rates varied greatly during the last 14 ka (1 ka = 1000 yr). Initial degradation rates of < 4 m ka⁻¹ increased to 30 m ka ⁻¹ by 6 ka ago during a mid-Holocene climatic optimum. Since 4 ka ago degradation rates have been only 1.2 m ka⁻¹, comparable to uplift rates in the piedmont reach inferred from marine-terrace studies, and the river is again cutting a broad strath. Each broad strath represents equilibrium conditions attained by this powerful stream during interglacial times despite episodes of being overwhelmed by climatically induced sediment-yield increases during full-glacial climates and having to maintain a long-term degradation rate equal to the uplift rate.The 75–81 m of degradation since formation of the latest Pleistocene fill-terrace tread is the sum of the amount of late Pleistocene valley-floor aggradation and the amount of regional uplift that occurred between the estimated times of major strath formation at about 30 and 0 ka. The 39 m of tectonically induced degradation below the pre-aggradation strath is sufficiently large that post-30 ka uplift may have doubled Holocene degradation rates.Each of the eleven degradation terraces represents pauses of a few centuries in Holocene downcutting. Brief equilibrium conditions were attained by streambed armoring and concurrent growth of riparian plants; both processes progressively increased hydraulic roughness and the shear stresses needed to entrain streambed materials. Occasional floods, possibly from rare cyclones derived from tropical moisture sources, destroyed streambed armor and channel downcutting was renewed. Thus the formation of eleven equilibrium terraces can be accounted for without postulating additional tectonic perturbations or secular climatic changes.     

Host specificity, nutrient and water dynamics of the mistletoe Viscum rotundifolium and its potential host species in the Kalahari of South Africa

The mechanisms underpinning local host specificity in mistletoes remain elusive. We determined the degree of host specificity in the mistletoe Viscum rotundifolium at Pniel Estates, near Kimberley, South Africa. We found that V. rotundifolium parasitises only Ehretia rigida and Ziziphus mucronata at this site. Both commonly parasitised host species were not the most abundant trees, were not the tallest trees, and did not have the highest water or nutrient content of trees in the area, although these factors are good predictors for mistletoe parasitism. Mistletoe seeds deposited on branches of E. rigida and Z. mucronata have a greater chance of attachment and subsequent survival, compared with those seeds deposited on co-occurring Acacia and other potential host species. The mistletoes had higher water potential than their host trees and by doing so they can passively maintain the flow of nutrients. In addition, the mistletoes had a N:Ca ratio >1, indicating active uptake from host phloem. Thus, this mistletoe species uses both passive and active uptake, which may be a selective advantage in a nutrient-poor environment or on a nutrient-deficient host species.     

Allelopathic effects of VOCs of Artemisia frigida Willd. on the regeneration of pasture grasses in Inner Mongolia

Grassland of Inner Mongolia, the main grassland region of China and part of the Eurasia Steppe that stretches from East China to Hungary, is among the most seriously degraded grasslands in China. Previous studies on causes of grassland degradation in this region focused primarily on anthropogenic activities, such as rapid development, ranching, agricultural activities, and mining for mineral resources. Few studies have examined plant interactions during the processes of grassland degradation. In this study, using the thermal-desorption cold trap/gas chromatography/mass spectrometer technique (TCT/GC/MS) we examined the effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of Artemisia frigida on the seed germination and seedling growth of 4 common grass species, Melitotus suaveolens, Sorghum sudanense, Elymus dahuricus and Agropyron cristatum, in the Inner Mongolian pastures. We found that the major constituents of the VOCs from natural A. frigida were 1,8-cineole, camphene, (E)-3-hexen-1-ol acetate, α-terpineol, β-Terpineol, (R)-(−)-p-Menth-1-en-4-ol, p-cymene, and camphor, whose relative content accounted for 96.0% of the 22 compounds identified for natural A. frigida. The content and amount of these VOCs varied when A. frigida was damaged artificially. The VOCs from A. frigida significantly decreased the seed germination and seedling growth of all the tested plant species. Our finding that artificially damaged plants of A. frigida released different types and amount of VOCs from undamaged ones under laboratory conditions indicate that grazing activity on natural pastures may influence the type and amount of VOCs released from A. frigida. However, more research is needed under field conditions to draw a conclusion if grazing activity has similar impacts on release of VOCs as under laboratory conditions.     

Plant Area Index and microclimate underneath shrub species from a Chilean semiarid community

In drylands, environmental conditions under shrub canopy differ from those found in open sites. We should expect that microclimate conditions under shrubs with distinct canopy architecture should also be different. Plant Area Index (PAI) of the three most abundant shrubs species (Porlieria chilensis, Adesmia bedwellii and Proustia cuneifolia) in Bosque Fray Jorge National Park, north-central Chile was measured using a Plant Canopy Analyzer. During two years (2004-2005), we recorded the Relative Humidity and Air Temperature underneath and away from the canopy of the shrubs.The three shrub species showed significant differences in PAI. Microclimate at 30 cm and 2 m above the soil in the open conditions were drier and warmer than underneath shrub canopies. Vegetation patches generate moderate microclimate conditions.Canopy structure can buffer climatic variability, contributing to high herbaceous productivity as well as shrub recruitment. Reflecting shrub architecture and observed PAI values, the lowest microclimate variations were observed under the canopies of P. chilensis, followed by P. cuneifolia and finally A. bedwellii. We bring a novel approach quantifying the Plant Area Index instead of the Plant cover and using a low cost method that integrates the distribution of leaves and may be derived from remote sensing products.