Results (preliminary)


     We found the onset of greenness is earlier in urban areas by 2-7 days. The reason for such an advancement is found to be enhanced temperatures as a result of urbanization. The fraction of vegetation cover is a significant factor in controlling the phenological differences. Areas with low fractional cover (high development) showed the earliest onset of greenness in urban areas.

Phenological and vegetation differences between urban and Deciduous Broadleaf Forest (DBF) land covers. Panels show, for all 1° latitude by 1° longitude blocks with statistically different growing season length between urban and DBF regions, the within block difference of: (A) onset of greenness, (B) fractional cover, and (C) normalized difference vegetation index amplitude.

Back  |  Title Page  |  Next