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The scientific research in the GPNP: PhenoCam and Sentinel2 for phenology monitoring
Meadows and pastures are among the most important and widespread ecosystems in the PNGP. The project, in collaboration with ARPA-Valle d'Aosta, monitors the phenology of pastures within the protected area. Phenology studies the recurring phases of flowering, fructification and senescence that characterise the life cycle of plants.
In the Park, a high-tech phenological network has been set up since 2015 that uses fixed-frame PhenoCams (digital cameras) on portions of pastures and woods. These acquire and transmit 10 images each day to a server that automatically processes the data and produces a weekly graph. To simplify, from the colours contained in the images it is possible to calculate an index (gcc, green chromatic coordinates) that represents the amount of green and depends on the development of the vegetation. The higher the index, the more active the vegetation is at that time and the better quality it is as fodder for grazing animals. In addition, repeated monitoring over the years makes it possible to verify how grass and forest development are affected by the climatic crisis, for example by losing greenness and quality earlier due to heat waves, or by developing earlier in early spring due to a lack of snow on the ground. Similarly, automatic monitoring over the entire PNGP territory is realised from satellite images (Sentinel2 satellite, ESA: https://sentinels.copernicus.eu/web/sentinel/missions/sentinel-2).
Monthly automatic mapping using another vegetation development index calculated from the red and infrared reflection that the satellite estimates for each pixel.
The project offers the opportunity to maintain long-term standardised and automated instrumental monitoring that can be useful at a local scale, for example by providing useful indications for pastoral management by breeders and shepherds, but above all as long-term monitoring of ecosystems in the face of climate crisis.