Comparison of spatial patterns of satellite-derived and ground-based phenology for the deciduous broadleaf forest of China

Using spatial phenology model-based Ulmus pumila leaf unfolding and leaf fall data at 8 kmx8 km grids, we analysed spatial relationships between ground-based and satellite-derived growing season beginning and end dates during the period 20012005 and examined climatic controls on spatial correlations between ground-based and satellite-derived growing seasons. The results show that the regional mean satellite-derived growing season clearly started earlier and terminated slightly later than the regional mean ground-based growing season. Meanwhile, spatial patterns of satellite-derived growing season beginning and end dates correlate positively with spatial patterns of ground-based growing season beginning and end dates in each year (p < 0.001). Interannual variation in the difference of the slope of the spatial regression between ground-based/satellite-derived growing season beginning date and FebruaryApril temperature controls interannual variation of the spatial correlation coefficient between ground-based and satellite-derived growing season beginning date. In contrast, interannual variation of the spatial correlation coefficient between ground-based and satellite-derived growing season end date is not associated with interannual variation in the difference of the slope of the spatial regression between ground-based/satellite-derived growing season end date and SeptemberNovember temperature.http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000316087000002&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=8e1609b174ce4e31116a60747a720701Remote SensingImaging Science & Photographic TechnologySCI(E)EI2ARTICLE6532-541