Article
Forestry
Mengyue Huang, Guoyan Wang, Xiaojuan Bie, Yunqing Jiang, Xiyue Huang, Jing-Ji Li, Songlin Shi, Tingbin Zhang, Pei-Hao Peng
Summary: This study reveals that seasonal snow cover patterns play a crucial role in determining treeline elevation in the eastern Himalayas. The research finds that treeline elevation increases with summer temperature and snowline elevation, but decreases with snow cover days and spring temperature. Spring snowline elevation and seasonal snow cover days have the greatest impact on treeline elevation, suggesting that the effects of temperature and moisture on treeline elevation are strongly mediated by seasonal snow cover.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Davide Fugazza, Veronica Manara, Antonella Senese, Guglielmina Diolaiuti, Maurizio Maugeri
Summary: Snow cover in the Alps is important for tourism and hydroelectric energy production. This study analyzed snow cover metrics from 2000 to 2019, finding differences in duration and patterns across subregions. Elevation was a key factor driving variability, with a significant negative trend observed above 3000 m a.s.l. due to various factors such as glacierized areas.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Celine Portenier, Martina Hasler, Stefan Wunderle
Summary: Snow cover is important for the Earth's climate system and has significant impacts on alpine hydrology, ecology, and socioeconomic systems. This study investigates the use of public webcams to derive regional snow line elevation and compares the results with satellite-based measurements. The study finds good agreement between the webcam-derived data and satellite data. The webcam-based approach offers higher temporal resolution and can fill temporal gaps in satellite measurements.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daniel Draebing, Till Mayer, Benjamin Jacobs, Samuel T. McColl
Summary: Rockwall erosion increases in intensity at higher elevations in response to glacier retreat, permafrost, and frost cracking. This pattern is sensitive to climate change and is determined by the interplay between tectonic uplift, crustal strength, and climate-conditioned erosion cycles. Paraglacial, frost cracking, and permafrost processes jointly drive postglacial rockwall erosion, with all three processes strongly conditioned by elevation. Changing intensities and elevation-dependent interactions between periglacial and paraglacial processes result in elevational shifts in rockwall erosion patterns during deglaciation.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Joschka Geissler, Lars Rathmann, Markus Weiler
Summary: Snow variability in forested environments is challenging to model due to its interactions with the environment. To better understand and validate snow models, reliable observation data at similar scales is required. This study presents a new extensive dataset of daily snow variability in a sub-alpine forest, Switzerland, obtained through a dense sensor network, high-resolution LiDAR data, and manual measurements. Machine learning algorithms are used to identify four spatial clusters with similar snow depth dynamics. By combining these clusters with observed snow depth time series, daily high-resolution maps of snow depth and snow water equivalent (SWE) are derived. These products are the first to provide continuous spatio-temporal snow depth and SWE based on field data.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yiting Wang, Yuanyuan Chen, Pengfei Li, Yinggang Zhan, Rui Zou, Bo Yuan, Xiaode Zhou
Summary: Accurately estimating the start of season (SOS) is crucial for understanding vegetation phenology trends under climate change. However, in regions with winter snow cover, the presence of snow introduces bias into SOS detection. This study combined simulation experiments and real satellite data to investigate the effect of snow cover on vegetation index (VI) and SOS detection. The presence of snow significantly reduces VI values and increases the local gradient of the growth curve, allowing for the detection of SOS. The bias in SOS detection caused by snow cover depends on snow season end, duration, and snow-free SOS. The five VIs differed in sensitivity to snow cover in SOS detection, with NDPI/NDGI < NIRv < EVI2 < NDVI.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Joachim Meyer, Jeffrey S. Deems, Kat J. Bormann, David E. Shean, S. McKenzie Skiles
Summary: This study compared snow depth mapping using multi-view Structure from Motion photogrammetry to lidar mapping in mountain areas, finding that while SfM had some limitations compared to lidar, it performed well in areas with deeper snowpacks above tree line.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
George Riggs, Dorothy Hall, Carrie Vuyovich, Nicolo DiGirolamo
Summary: Researchers have developed a new method to measure global snow cover dynamics using MODIS data, and have created snow cover frequency maps as a result. This method can help researchers better understand global snow cover changes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jianfeng Luo, Chunyu Dong, Kairong Lin, Xiaohong Chen, Liqiang Zhao, Lucas Menzel
Summary: This study presents a new algorithm based on machine learning technology to improve the accuracy of binary snow cover mapping in forests. The proposed algorithm shows high performance in forest BSC mapping, retrieving 67% of all real forest snow pixels compared to only 8-14% by the NDSI-based approach. The algorithm's performance is sensitive to changes in solar illumination conditions and forest coverage, suggesting that machine learning with the fusion of optical remote sensing and ground-based observations is an effective approach for improving the accuracy of forest snow cover mapping at regional scales.
REMOTE SENSING OF ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
T. Smith, A. Rheinwalt, B. Bookhagen
Summary: The study focused on the relationship between snow and topography in the Upper Indus Basin, finding regions with similar elevation-snow relationships and grouping watersheds and glaciers through hierarchical clustering. Watershed clusters mirrored large-scale moisture transport patterns, while glacier clusters were spatially heterogeneous and influenced by local topographic parameters.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Birgit Heim, Simeon Lisovski, Mareike Wieczorek, Anne Morgenstern, Bennet Juhls, Iuliia Shevtsova, Stefan Kruse, Julia Boike, Irina Fedorova, Ulrike Herzschuh
Summary: This study investigates the variability of snow-cover duration and summer vegetation vitality in the Lena Delta using satellite data and observations. The results show that both snow cover and vegetation greenness are strongly influenced by climate change, and recent temperature increase has had a positive impact on vegetation.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Remote Sensing
Zhiyuan Xie, Umesh K. Haritashya, Vijayan K. Asari, Michael P. Bishop, Jeffrey S. Kargel, Theus H. Aspiras
Summary: This research aims to improve a deep learning-based approach for accurate mapping of debris-cover glaciers (DCGs) by incorporating multiple models and techniques. The proposed GlacierNet2 architecture enhances the estimation of the ablation zone and enables accurate outlines of both the ablation and accumulation zones, providing crucial data for automated glacier mapping for modeling and mass-balance analysis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATION AND GEOINFORMATION
(2022)
Review
Geography, Physical
Shubham Awasthi, Divyesh Varade
Summary: This paper reviews the application of remote sensing techniques in the study of alpine snow, highlighting its importance and potential advantages. It also discusses the geophysical characteristics of snow and the limitations of remote sensing technology in estimating these properties, providing prospects for the retrieval of snow geophysical parameters in the future.
GISCIENCE & REMOTE SENSING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jesus Revuelto, Esteban Alonso-Gonzalez, Ixeia Vidaller-Gayan, Emilien Lacroix, Enaut Izagirre, Guillermo Rodriguez-Lopez, Juan Ignacio Lopez-Moreno
Summary: This study evaluated snow depth distribution maps using different commercial UAVs, demonstrating reliable estimations under good illumination conditions, particularly in relatively small areas. Altitude variations during flights did not show significant impact on the obtained maps.
COLD REGIONS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Aleh Meshyk, Maryna Barushka, Viktoryia Marozava
Summary: There are differences in snow cover characteristics between Belarus and neighboring countries, with variations in snow water equivalent related to altitude, year, and region. Snow water equivalent shows cyclic changes and correlates with current climate fluctuations. There is a trend of decreasing snow water equivalent in certain parts of Belarus, while meltwater and river runoff data support the findings.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Thomas S. Jung, Troy M. Hegel, Shannon A. Stotyn, Sophie M. Czetwertynski
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zijian Sim, Jocelyn C. Hall, Bill Jex, Troy M. Hegel, David W. Coltman
Article
Ecology
Troy M. Hegel, Atle Mysterud, Torbjorn Ergon, Leif Egil Loe, Falk Huettmann, Nils Chr. Stenseth
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2010)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Troy A. Hegel, C. Cormack Gates, Dale Eslinger
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2009)
Article
Ecology
Troy M. Hegel, Atle Mysterud, Falk Huettmann, Nils Christian Stenseth
Article
Ecology
Troy M. Hegel, David Verbyla, Falk Huettmann, Perry S. Barboza
POPULATION ECOLOGY
(2012)
Article
Ecology
Troy M. Hegel, C. Cormack Gates, Dale Eslinger
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Zijian Sim, Corey S. Davis, Bill Jex, Troy Hegel, David W. Coltman
CONSERVATION GENETICS
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Cavedon, Chrysoula Gubili, Elizabeth Heppenheimer, Bridgett vonHoldt, Stefano Mariani, Mark Hebblewhite, Troy Hegel, Dave Hervieux, Robert Serrouya, Robin Steenweg, Byron V. Weckworth, Marco Musiani
Article
Ecology
Samantha McFarlane, Micheline Manseau, Robin Steenweg, Dave Hervieux, Troy Hegel, Simon Slater, Paul J. Wilson
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2020)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Maria Cavedon, Bridgett VonHoldt, Mark Hebblewhite, Troy Hegel, Elizabeth Heppenheimer, Dave Hervieux, Stefano Mariani, Helen Schwantje, Robin Steenweg, Megan Watters, Marco Musiani
Summary: The study found differences and specialization in habitat selection and use among different ecotypes of caribou, as well as individual variations within the same ecotype. Genetic variation in SNPs played a key role in habitat selection in caribou, related to habitat and dietary specialization, and climatic adaptations. The associations between habitat and genes detected may lead to lack of resilience in the species, contributing to caribou endangerment.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Sara H. Williams, Robin Steenweg, Troy Hegel, Mike Russell, Dave Hervieux, Mark Hebblewhite
Summary: Over more than three decades, the proportion of individuals displaying annual migration to the low elevation forested winter range declined from nearly 100%-38% in one population in western Canada. This decline was accompanied by a shift towards being year-round residents at high elevation, likely due to increasing levels of anthropogenic land uses, such as forestry and oil and gas developments.
ECOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS AND EVIDENCE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Thomas S. Jung, Troy M. Hegel, Torsten W. Bentzen, Katherina Egli, Lars Jessup, Martin Kienzler, Kazuhisa Kuba, Piia M. Kukka, Kyle Russell, Michael P. Suitor, Kenji Tatsumi
