Remotely sensed C3 and C4 grass species aboveground biomass variability in response to seasonal climate and topography
2019
Shoko, Cletah | Mutanga, Onisimo | Dube, Timothy
Seasonal climate and topography influence C3 and C4 grass species aboveground biomass (AGB). Climate change further threatens these grasses AGB, thereby compromising their ability to provide ecosystem goods and services. This emphasises the need to monitor their AGB for well‐informed management. New‐generation sensors, with improved resolution capabilities present an opportunity to explore C3 and C4 AGB. This study therefore investigated the response of remotely sensed C3 and C4 grasses AGB to seasonal climate and topography. Overall, the spatial and temporal responses of AGB due to seasonal climate and topography were observed across the study area. For example, in March, a marked increase in C4 AGB was associated with an increase in rainfall, with the highest significant positive relationship (R² = 0.82, p < 0.005). Elevation had very significant positive relationship (R² = 0.84; p < 0.005) with C3 and highest negative (R² = −0.77; p < 0.005) with C4 AGB. During the winter fall, AGB significantly decreased from averages of 2.592 and 1.101 kg/m² in winter (May), to 0.718 and 0.469 kg/m² in August, for C3 and C4 grasses, respectively. These findings provide a key step in monitoring rangelands and assessing management practices to boost productivity.
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