Remote sensing and geographic information systems techniques in studies on treeline ecotone dynamics

Abstract

We performed a meta-analysis on over 100 studies applying remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) to understand treeline dynamics. A literature search was performed in multiple online databases, including Web of Knowledge (Thomson Reuters), Scopus (Elsevier), BASE (Bielefeld Academic Search Engine), CAB Direct, and Google Scholar using treeline-related queries. We found that RS and GIS use has steadily increased in treeline studies since 2000. Spatial-resolution RS and satellite imaging techniques varied from low-resolution MODIS, moderate-resolution Landsat, to high-resolution WorldView and aerial orthophotos. Most papers published in the 1990s used low to moderate resolution sensors such as Landsat Multispectral Scanner and Thematic Mapper, or SPOT PAN (Panchromatic) and MX (Multispectral) RS images. Subsequently, we observed a rise in high-resolution satellite sensors such as ALOS, GeoEye, IKONOS, and WorldView for mapping current and potential treelines. Furthermore, we noticed a shift in emphasis of treeline studies over time: earlier reports focused on mapping treeline positions, whereas RS and GIS are now used to determine the factors that control treeline variation.

Keywords

Digital elevation model / Geographic information systems / Remote sensing / Treeline

References

[1] Alatalo JM, Ferrarini A. Braking effect of climate and topography on global change induced upslope forest expansion. Int J Biometeorl, 2017, 61(3): 541-548.

[2] Allen TR, Walsh SJ. Spatial and compositional pattern of alpine treeline, Glacier National Park. Montana. Photogramm Eng Remote Sens, 1996, 62(11): 1261-1268.

[3] Bader MY, Ruijten JJ. A topography-based model of forest cover at the alpine tree line in the tropical Andes. J Biogeogr, 2008, 35(4): 711-723.

[4] Baker WL, Weisberg PJ. Landscape analysis of the forest-tundra ecotone in Rocky Mountain National Park Colorado. Prof Geogr, 1995, 47(4): 361-375.

[5] Baker WL, Weisberg PJ. Using gis to model tree population parameters in the rocky mountain national park forest–tundra ecotone. J Biogeogr, 1997, 24(4): 513-526.

[6] Baker WL, Honaker JJ, Weisberg PJ. Using aerial photography and gis to map the forest-tundra ecotone in rocky mountain national park, colorado, for global change research. Photogramm Eng Remote Sens, 1995, 61(3): 313-320.

[7] Bishop MP, Shroder JF, Colby JD. Remote sensing and geomorphometry for studying relief production in high mountains. Geomorphology, 2003, 55(1–4): 345-361.

[8] Bobrowski M, Gerlitz L, Schickhoff U. Modelling the potential distribution of Betula utilis in the Himalaya. Glob Ecol Conserv, 2017, 11: 69-83.

[9] Bonanomi G, Rita A, Allevato E, Cesarano G, Saulino L, Di Pasquale G, Allegrezza M, Pesaresi S, Borghetti M, Rossi S, Saracino A. Anthropogenic and environmental factors affect the tree line position of Fagus sylvatica along the Apennines (Italy). J Biogeogr, 2018, 00: 1-14.

[10] Braunisch V, Patthey P, Arlettaz R. Where to combat shrub encroachment in alpine timberline ecosystems: combining remotely-sensed vegetation information with species habitat modelling. PLoS ONE, 2016, 11: e0164318.

[11] Brown DG. Predicting vegetation types at treeline using topography and biophysical disturbance variables. J Veg Sci, 1994, 5(5): 641-656.

[12] Brown DG. Comparison of vegetation-topography relationships at the alpine treeline ecotone. Phys Geogr, 1994, 15(2): 125-145.

[13] Bryant E, Ricketts T, Richard W (1991) Use of digital elevation data Landsat TM and vector map data to model treeline in the northeastern U.S. In: Proceedings of the eight thematic conference on geologic remote sensing II, pp 1111–1121

[14] Butler DR, Malanson GP, Bekker MF, Lynn MR. Lithologic, structural, and geomorphic controls on ribbon forest patterns in a glaciated mountain environment. Geomorphology, 2003, 55(1–4): 203-217.

[15] Cairns DM, Moen JON. Herbivory influences tree lines. J Ecol, 2004, 92(6): 1019-1024.

[16] Camarero JJ, Gutiérrez E. Pace and pattern of recent treeline dynamics: response of ecotones to climatic variability in the Spanish Pyrenees. Clim Change, 2004, 63(1–2): 181-200.

[17] Case BS, Buckley HL. Local-scale topoclimate effects on treeline elevations: a country-wide investigation of New Zealand’s southern beech treelines. PeerJ, 2015, 3: e1334.

[18] Chavez PS. Image-based atmospheric corrections-revisited and improved. Photogramm Eng Remote Sens, 1996, 62(9): 1025-1035.

[19] Chhetri PK. Predicting upslope expansion of sub-alpine forest in the Makalu Barun National Park, eastern Nepal, with a hybrid cartographic model. J For Res, 2018, 29(1): 129-137.

[20] Chhetri PK, Cairns DM. Contemporary and historic population structure of Abies spectabilis at treeline in Barun valley, eastern Nepal Himalaya. J Mt Sci, 2015, 12(3): 558-570.

[21] Chhetri PK, Cairns DM. Low recruitment above treeline indicates treeline stability under changing climate in Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve. Western Nepal. Phys Geogr, 2018, 39(4): 329-342.

[22] Chhetri PK, Shrestha KB, Cairns DM. Topography and human disturbances are major controlling factors in treeline pattern at Barun and Manang area in the Nepal Himalaya. J Mt Sci, 2017, 14(1): 119-127.

[23] Chhetri PK, Gaddis KD, Cairns DM. Predicting the suitable habitat of treeline species in the Nepalese Himalayas under climate change. Mt Res Dev, 2018, 38(2): 153-163.

[24] Cullen LE, Palmer JG, Duncan RP, Stewart GH. Climate change and tree-ring relationships of Nothofagus menziesii tree-line forests. Can J For Res, 2001, 31(11): 1981-1991.

[25] Danzeglocke J (2005) Remote sensing of upper timberline elevation in the Alps on different scales. New strategies for European remote sensing. In: Proceedings of the 24th symposium of the European association of remote sensing laboratories, 25–27 May 2004. Millpress Science Publishers, Dubrovnik, pp 145–151

[26] De Wit HA, Bryn A, Hofgaard A, Karstensen J, Kvalevåg MM, Peters GP. Climate warming feedback from mountain birch forest expansion: reduced albedo dominates carbon uptake. Glob Change Biol, 2014, 20(7): 2344-2355.

[27] Devi N, Hagedorn F, Moiseev P, Bugmann H, Shiyatov S, Mazepa V, Rigling A. Expanding forests and changing growth forms of Siberian larch at the Polar Urals treeline during the 20th century. Glob Change Biol, 2008, 14(7): 1581-1591.

[28] Fagan WF, Fortin MJ, Soykan C. Integrating edge detection and dynamic modeling in quantitative analyses of ecological boundaries. Bioscience, 2003, 53(8): 730-738.

[29] Fissore V, Motta R, Palik B, Mondino EB. The role of spatial data and geomatic approaches in treeline mapping: a review of methods and limitations. Eur J Remote Sens, 2015, 48(1): 777-792.

[30] Gao YN, Zhang WC. A simple empirical topographic correction method for ETM + imagery. Int J Remote Sens, 2009, 30(9): 2259-2275.

[31] Gartzia M, Alados CL, Pérez-Cabello F. Assessment of the effects of biophysical and anthropogenic factors on woody plant encroachment in dense and sparse mountain grasslands based on remote sensing data. Prog Phys Geog, 2014, 38(2): 201-217.

[32] Grace J, Berninger F, Nagy L. Impacts of climate change on the tree line. Ann Bot, 2002, 90(4): 537-544.

[33] Groen TA, Fanta HG, Hinkov G, Velichkov I, Duren IV, Zlatanov T. Tree line change detection using historical hexagon mapping camera imagery and Google earth data. GISCI Remote Sens, 2012, 49(6): 933-943.

[34] Gu DG, Gillespie A. Topographic normalization of landsat TM images of forest based on subpixel sun-canopy-sensor geometry. Remote Sens Environ, 1998, 64(2): 166-175.

[35] Guo D, Zhang HY, Hou GL, Zhao JJ, Liu DY, Guo XY. Topographic controls on alpine treeline patterns on Changbai Mountain China. J Mt Sci, 2014, 11(2): 429-441.

[36] Holtmeier FK, Broll G. Sensitivity and response of northern hemisphere altitudinal and polar treelines to environmental change at landscape and local scales. Glob Ecol Biogeogr, 2005, 14(5): 395-410.

[37] Jacob M, Frankl A, Hurni H, Lanckriet S, De Ridder M, Guyassa E, Beeckman H, Nyssen J. Land cover dynamics in the Simien Mountains (Ethiopia), half a century after establishment of the National Park. Reg Environ Change, 2017, 17(3): 777-787.

[38] Kimball KD, Weihrauch DM (2000) Alpine vegetation communities and the alpine-treeline ecotone boundary in New England as biomonitors for climate change. In: Proceedings RMRS-P-15-VOL-3. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, pp 93–101

[39] Klasner FL, Fagre DB. A half century of change in alpine treeline patterns at Glacier National Park, Montana. USA. Arct Antarct Alp Res, 2002, 34(1): 49-56.

[40] Klinge M, Böhner J, Erasmi S. Modelling forest lines and forest distribution patterns with remote sensing data in a mountainous region of semi-arid Central Asia. Biogeosci Discuss, 2014, 11(10): 14667-14698.

[41] Körner C. Alpine treelines. Functional ecology of the global high elevation tree limits, 2012, Basel: Springer.

[42] Körner C, Paulsen J. A world-wide study of high altitude treeline temperatures. J Biogeogr, 2004, 31(5): 713-732.

[43] Kullman L. Tree line population monitoring of Pinus sylvestris in the Swedish Scandes, 1973–2005: implications for tree line theory and climate change ecology. J Ecol, 2007, 95(1): 41-52.

[44] Leonelli G, Pelfini M, di Cella UM. Detecting climatic treelines in the Italian Alps: the influence of geomorphological factors and human impacts. Phys Geogr, 2009, 30(4): 338-352.

[45] Leonelli G, Pelfini M, di Cella UM, Garavaglia V. Climate warming and the recent treeline shift in the European Alps: the role of geomorphological factors in high-altitude sites. Ambio, 2011, 40(3): 264-273.

[46] Leonelli G, Masseroli A, Pelfini M. The influence of topographic variables on treeline trees under different environmental conditions. Phys Geogr, 2016, 37(1): 56-72.

[47] López-Serrano PM, Corral-Rivas JJ, Díaz-Varela RA, Alvarez-Gonzalez JG, Lopez-Sanchez CA. Evaluation of radiometric and atmospheric correction algorithms for aboveground forest biomass estimation using Landsat 5 TM data. Remote Sens, 2016 8 5 369

[48] Luo GP, Dai L. Detection of alpine tree line change with high spatial resolution sensed data. J App Remote Sens, 2013 7 1 073520

[49] Macias-Fauria M, Johnson EA. Warming-induced upslope advance of subalpine forest is severely limited by geomorphic processes. Proc Natl Acad Sci, 2013, 110: 8117-8122.

[50] Mathisen IE, Mikheeva A, Tutubalina OV, Aune S, Hofgaard A. Fifty years of tree line change in the Khibiny Mountains, Russia: advantages of combined remote sensing and dendroecological approaches. Appl Veg Sci, 2014, 17(1): 6-16.

[51] Mishra NB, Mainali KP. Greening and browning of the Himalaya: spatial patterns and the role of climatic change and human drivers. Sci Total Environ, 2017, 587: 326-339.

[52] Moen J, Aune K, Edenius L, Angerbjorn A. Potential effects of climate change on treeline position in the Swedish mountains. Ecol Soc, 2004 9 1 16

[53] Moran MS, Bryant R, Thome K, Ni W, Nouvellon Y, Gonzalez-Dugo MP, Qi J, Clarke TR. A refined empirical line approach for reflectance factor retrieval from Landsat-5 TM and Landsat-7 ETM+. Remote Sens Environ, 2001, 78(1–2): 71-82.

[54] Müller M, Schickhoff U, Scholten T, Drollinger S, Bohner J, Chaudhary R. How do soil properties affect alpine treelines? General principles in a global perspective and novel findings from Rolwaling Himal Nepal. Prog Phys Geog, 2016, 40(1): 135-160.

[55] Nagendra H. Using remote sensing to assess biodiversity. Int J Remote Sens, 2001, 22(12): 2377-2400.

[56] Paulsen J, Körner C. GIS-analysis of tree-line elevation in the Swiss Alps suggests no exposure effect. J Veg Sci, 2001, 12: 817-824.

[57] Paulsen J, Körner C. A climate-based model to predict potential treeline position around the globe. Alpine Bot, 2014, 124(1): 1-12.

[58] Penuelas J, Ogaya R, Boada M, Jump AS. Migration, invasion and decline: changes in recruitment and forest structure in a warming-linked shift of European beech forest in Catalonia (NE Spain). Ecography, 2007, 30(6): 829-837.

[59] Pettorelli N, Laurance WF, O’Brien TG, Wegmann M, Nagendra H, Turner W. Satellite remote sensing for applied ecologists: opportunities and challenges. J Appl Ecol, 2014, 51(4): 839-848.

[60] Potter C. Vegetation cover change in Glacier National Park detected using 25 years of Landsat satellite image analysis. J Biodivers Manage For, 2016, 5(1): 623-632.

[61] Resler LM. Geomorphic controls of spatial pattern and process at alpine treeline. Prof Geogr, 2006, 58(2): 124-138.

[62] Resler LM, Fonstad MA, Butler DR. Mapping the alpine treeline ecotone with digital aerial photography and textural analysis. Geocarto Int, 2004, 19(1): 37-44.

[63] Richardson AD, Friedland AJ. A review of the theories to explain arctic and alpine treelines around the world. J Sustain For, 2009, 28(1–2): 218-242.

[64] Roughgarden J, Running S, Matson PA. What does remote sensing do for ecology?. Ecology, 1991, 72(6): 1918-1922.

[65] Simms ÉL, Ward H. Multisensor NDVI-based monitoring of the tundra-taiga interface (Mealy Mountains, Labrador, Canada). Remote Sens, 2013, 5(3): 1066-1090.

[66] Steyaert LT, Goodchild MF. Michener WK, Brunt JW, Stafford SG. Integrating geographic information systems and environmental simulation models: a status review. Environmental information management and analysis: ecosystem to global scales, 1994, Bristol: Taylor and Francis 333 356

[67] Stueve KM, Isaacs RE, Tyrrell LE, Densmore RV. Spatial variability of biotic and abiotic tree establishment constraints across a treeline ecotone in the Alaska Range. Ecology, 2011, 92(2): 496-506.

[68] Tang LN, Shao GF. Drone remote sensing for forestry research and practices. J For Res, 2015, 26(4): 791-797.

[69] Treml V, Šenfeldr M, Chuman T, Ponocná T, Demková K. Twentieth century treeline ecotone advance in the Sudetes Mountains (Central Europe) was induced by agricultural land abandonment rather than climate change. J Veg Sci, 2016, 27(6): 1209-1221.

[70] Troll C. The upper timberlines in different climatic zones. Arct Antarct Alp Res, 1973, 5: A3-A18.

[71] Tueller PT (1998) Approaches to mapping ecotone boundaries using emerging remote sensing technology. In: Proceedings RMRS: 78

[72] Virtanen T, Mikkola K, Nikula A, Christensen JH, Mazhitova GG, Oberman NG, Kuhry P. Modeling the location of the forest line in northeast European Russia with remotely sensed vegetation and GIS-based climate and terrain data. Arct Antarct Alp Res, 2004, 36(3): 314-322.

[73] Vittoz P, Rulence B, Largey T, Freléchoux F. Effects of climate and land-use change on the establishment and growth of cembran pine (Pinus cembra L.) over the altitudinal treeline ecotone in the Central Swiss Alps. Arct Antarct Alp Res., 2008, 40(1): 225-232.

[74] Wallentin G, Tappeiner U, Strobl J, Tasser E. Understanding alpine tree line dynamics: an individual-based model. Ecol Modell, 2008, 218(3–4): 235-246.

[75] Walsh SJ, Kelly NM (1990) Treeline migration and terrain variability: integration of remote sensing digital enhancements and digital elevation models. In: Proceedings of applied geography conferences, pp 24–32

[76] Walsh SJ, Malanson GP, Butler DR. Janelle DG. Alpine treeline in glacier national park montana. Geographical snapshots of North America, 1992, New York: The Guilford Press 161 171

[77] Walsh SJ, Butler DR, Allen TR, Malanson GP. Influence of snow patterns and snow avalanches on the alpine treeline ecotone. J Veg Sci, 1994, 5(5): 657-672.

[78] Walsh SJ, Butler DR, Malanson GP. An overview of scale, pattern, process relationships in geomorphology: a remote sensing and GIS perspective. Geomorphology, 1998, 21(3–4): 183-205.

[79] Walsh SJ, Butler DR, Malanson GP, Crews-Meyer KA, Messina JP, Xiao N. Mapping, modeling, and visualization of the influences of geomorphic processes on the alpine treeline ecotone, Glacier National Park, MT USA. Geomorphology, 2003, 53(1–2): 129-145.

[80] Wang T, Zhang QB, Ma K. Treeline dynamics in relation to climatic variability in the central Tianshan mountains, northwestern China. Glob Ecol Biogeogr, 2006, 15(4): 406-415.

[81] Wang Y, Pederson N, Ellison AM, Buckley HL, Case BS, Liang E, Julio Camarero J. Increased stem density and competition may diminish the positive effects of warming at alpine treeline. Ecology, 2016, 97(7): 1668-1679.

[82] Weiss DJ, Walsh SJ. Remote sensing of mountain environments. Geography Compass, 2009, 3(1): 1-21.

[83] White JD, Kroh GC, Pinder JE. Forest mapping at Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, using Landsat TM data and a geographical information system. Photogramm Eng Remote Sens, 1995, 61: 299-305.

[84] Xie YC, Sha ZY, Yu M. Remote sensing imagery in vegetation mapping: a review. J Plant Ecol, 2008, 1(1): 9-23.

[85] Yao YH, Zhang BP. The mass elevation effect of the Tibetan Plateau and its implications for Alpine treelines. Int J Climatol, 2015, 35(8): 1833-1846.

[86] Zhang YJ, Dai LM, Pan J. The trend of tree line on the northern slope of Changbai mountain. J For Res, 2001, 12(2): 97-100.

[87] Zhang YJ, Xu M, Adams JM, Wang XC. Can Landsat imagery detect tree line dynamics?. Int J Remote Sens, 2009, 30(5): 1327-1340.

[88] Zhao F, Zhang BP, Pang Y, Yao YH. A study of the contribution of mass elevation effect to the altitudinal distribution of timberline in the Northern Hemisphere. J Geog Sci, 2014, 24(2): 226-236.

[89] Zhao F, Zhang BP, Zhang S, Qi WW, He WH, Wang J, Yao YH. Contribution of mass elevation effect to the altitudinal distribution of global treelines. J Mt Sci, 2015, 12(2): 289-297.

[90] Zomer R, Ustin S, Ives J. Using satellite remote sensing for DEM extraction in complex mountainous terrain: landscape analysis of the Makalu Barun National Park of eastern Nepal. Int J Remote Sens, 2002, 23(1): 125-143.

[91] Zong SW, Wu ZF, Xu JW, Li M, Gao XF, He HS, Du HB, Wang L. Current and potential tree locations in tree line ecotone of Changbai mountains, Northeast China: the controlling effects of topography. PLoS ONE, 2014, 9: e106114.