Monitoring phenological traits of a coastal mediterranean maquis area through automated systems Carla Cesaraccio CNR-IBE, Institute of BioEconomy, Italy Alessandra Piga CNR-IBE, Institute of BioEconomy, Italy Andrea Ventura CNR-IBE, Institute of BioEconomy, Italy Angelo Arca CNR-IBE, Institute of BioEconomy, Italy Pierpaolo Duce CNR-IBE, Institute of BioEconomy, Italy This is a section of Tenth InternationaSymposium Monitoring of Mediterranean Coastal Areas: Problems and Measurement Techniques(DOI: 10.36253/979-12-215-0556-6) by Laura Bonora, Marcantonio Catelani, Matteo De Vincenzi, Giorgio Matteucci Firenze University Press Florence 2024 https://doi.org/10.36253/979-12-215-0556-6.12

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Understanding ecosystem dynamics in an era of global change and declining biodiversity requires monitoring biotic components such as plant behaviors and traits. Innovative integrated systems using high-frequency digital images automate vegetation tracking and record of detailed morphological and phenological data. In this study, a description of prototypal monitoring systems based on repeated digital images for detecting changes in phenological traits of Mediterranean coastal maquis in North-West Sardinia is reported. Developed at CNR Laboratories, the systems use high-resolution cameras on automated robots to perform (1) image acquisition, (2) transmission, and (3) post-processing phase. High-resolution images were analyzed to extract Vegetation indices (ExG, REI) from RGB chromatic coordinates. Vegetation Indices patterns were related with phenological traits. Main results highlighted how these systems can be a valid support for monitoring phenological behaviors of vegetation, even in a rugged environment such as Mediterranean coastal ecosystems. This study advances knowledge of plant responses to environmental changes supporting ecological and environmental studies.

 Near Surface Monitoring System Phenological Traits High-Resolution Digital Images Vegetation Indices

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