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Choosing a DIVA : a comparison of emerging digital imagery vegetation analysis techniques
Author(s) -
Jorgensen Christopher F.,
Stutzman Ryan J.,
Anderson Lars C.,
E. Decker Suzanne,
Powell Larkin A.,
Schacht Walter H.,
Fontaine Joseph J.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
applied vegetation science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.096
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1654-109X
pISSN - 1402-2001
DOI - 10.1111/avsc.12037
Subject(s) - diva , vegetation (pathology) , herbaceous plant , remote sensing , vegetation cover , ground truth , cover (algebra) , environmental science , satellite imagery , physical geography , geography , computer science , ecology , artificial intelligence , grazing , biology , medicine , mechanical engineering , pathology , virology , engineering
Question What is the precision of five methods of measuring vegetation structure using ground‐based digital imagery and processing techniques? Location Lincoln, Nebraska, USA Methods Vertical herbaceous cover was recorded using digital imagery techniques at two distinct locations in a mixed‐grass prairie. The precision of five ground‐based digital imagery vegetation analysis ( DIVA ) methods for measuring vegetation structure was tested using a split‐split plot analysis of covariance. Variability within each DIVA technique was estimated using coefficient of variation of mean percentage cover. Results Vertical herbaceous cover estimates differed among DIVA techniques. Additionally, environmental conditions affected the vertical vegetation obstruction estimates for certain digital imagery methods, while other techniques were more adept at handling various conditions. Overall, percentage vegetation cover values differed among techniques, but the precision of four of the five techniques was consistently high. Conclusions DIVA procedures are sufficient for measuring various heights and densities of standing herbaceous cover. Moreover, digital imagery techniques can reduce measurement error associated with multiple observers' standing herbaceous cover estimates, allowing greater opportunity to detect patterns associated with vegetation structure.