Comparison of ecosystem functional type patterns at different spatial resolutions in relation with FLUXNET data

Abstract

The present study aims at analyzing the role of spatial resolution in Ecosystem Functional Types (EFT) time series' patterns by comparing their spatial variability, retrieved at 300 m (MERIS products) and 30 m (Landsat products) of spatial resolution, with time series of Fluxnet in situ measurements, such as gross primary production (GPP) and evapotranspiration (ET). EFT maps at both spatial resolutions for 2005 and 2009 year in Sudan study region were generated, with a classification system of 64 categories. However, the 50% of the study area was covered by four representative EFTs. The main result at fine spatial resolution, related to the 2005-2009 comparison, shows a clear pattern of vegetation with high productivity and low seasonality in both years. At coarse spatial resolution, EFTs located in shrublands or forests regions are more difficult to be clearly detected. The presented methodology is absolutely replicable for using Sentinel-2 (MSI) images and Lansat-8 (OLI) in cases where the data availability of fluxnet database reaches the Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 active period.