MONTANE MEADOWS AS INDICATORS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE

摘要

We used a time series of satellite multispectral imagery for mapping and monitoring six classes of montane meadows arrayed along a moisture gradient(from hydric to mesic to xeric). We hypothesized that mesic meadows would support the highest species diversity of plants, birds, and butterflies because they are more moderate environments. We also hypothesized that mesic mead- ows would exhibit the greatest seasonal and interannual variability in spectral response across years.