ARSF project GB07/07: Hyperspectral and Phenological Characterisation of Upland Heather Dominated Ecological Communities. Led by: Dr. Tim Malthus, School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Grant Inst., King's Buildings Edinburgh, EH3 9JW. Location: Inverclyde, Scotland, UK.

Heather dominated uplands are a hydrological buffer and are intimately linked to the global carbon cycle. Current management practices are considered to be causing the decline of these areas and climate change may be contributing. The extent and remoteness of upland moors makes manual survey problematic for monitoring ecological and phenological change. While remote sensing offers a complimentary approach, little is known of the detailed reflectance properties of heather or the influence of variations in key biophysical and biochemical parameters on the spectral reflectance of heather canopies. Laboratory and field measurements of hyperspectral reflectance and the biophysical and biochemical variables influencing reflectance have been acquired throughout the 2005 and 2006 growing seasons from an upland site on the west coast of Scotland. Airborne hyperspectral RS and aerial photographic surveys were proposed with concurrent canopy reflectance studies and atmospheric and biophysical field measurement being taken. Reflectance modelling methods and Object-Oriented image analysis were used to increase understanding and detailed classification of these heather dominated ecological communities.