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Mapping the change of Phragmites australis live biomass in the lower Mississippi River Delta marshes

Open-File Report 2017-1098
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20171098

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Abstract

Multiyear remote sensing mapping of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was carried out as an indicator of live biomass composition of the Phragmites australis (hereafter Phragmites) marsh in the lower Mississippi River Delta (hereafter delta) from 2014 to 2017. Maps of NDVI change showed that the Phragmites condition was fairly stable between May 2014 and July 2015. From July 2015 to April 2016 NDVI change indicated Phragmites suffered a widespread decline in the live biomass proportion.  Between April and September 2016, most marsh remained unchanged from the earlier period or showed improvement; although there were pockets of continued decline scattered throughout the lower delta. From September 2016 to May 2017 a pronounced and widely exhibited decline in the condition of Phragmites marsh again occurred throughout the lower delta. This final NDVI change mapping supported field observations of Phragmites decline during the same period.

Suggested Citation

Ramsey, E.W., III, and Rangoonwala, Amina, 2017, Mapping the change of Phragmites australis live biomass in the lower Mississippi River Delta marshes: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2017–1098, https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20171098.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Results and Discussion
  • Summary
  • References
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Mapping the change of Phragmites australis live biomass in the lower Mississippi River Delta marshes
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2017-1098
DOI 10.3133/ofr20171098
Year Published 2017
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Description HTML Document
Country United States
State Louisiana
Other Geospatial Lower Mississippi River delta
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details