Grassland Imaging Spectroscopy and Drought Dataset

This dataset supports the first study to use high-resolution airborne imaging spectroscopy to characterize the variation of chlorophylls (Chl), carotenoids (Car), the Chl/Car ratio, water content (WC) and leaf area index (LAI) across topographic gradients and under drought stress, at the species level, in a heterogeneous grassland.

The study site is a grassland at Koffler Scientific Reserve in Ontario, Canada, dominated by two invasive species, smooth brome (Bromus inermis) and orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata), and three native species, goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) and wild grape (Vitis riparia). Trait values decreased from lower to upper slope positions, and drought-induced trait responses differed within and between species, particularly between the drought-tolerant invasive smooth brome and the native species.

This dataset can support grassland conservation and the management of invasive species. The images, trait measurements and maps can be used to monitor plant condition and drought stress across varied terrain and to predict where invasive grasses such as smooth brome are likely to establish and spread, as well as to develop methods for mapping plant traits and species with airborne and satellite imaging spectroscopy, such as the EnMAP and PRISMA missions and the future Surface Biology and Geology mission.