Bendix, J.; Rollenbeck, R. & Palacios, E. (2004): <b>Cloud detection in the Tropics – a suitable tool for climate-ecological studies in the high mountains of Ecuador</b>. <i>International Journal of Remote Sensing</i> <b>25</b>(21), 4521-4540.
Resource Description
Title:
Cloud detection in the Tropics – a suitable tool for climate-ecological studies in the high mountains of Ecuador
FOR816dw ID:
132
Publication Date:
2004-01-30
License and Usage Rights:
PAK 823-825 data user agreement. (www.tropicalmountainforest.org/dataagreementp3.do)
Resource Owner(s):
Individual:
Jörg Bendix
Contact:
email:
bendix <at> staff.uni-marburg.de
Deutschhausstraße 12
Room No. 02 A 48
35032 Marburg
Faculty of Geography
Germany
The detection of clouds and the analysis of cloud frequency play an<br/>
important role for operational weather prediction as well as for climate–<br/>
ecological studies. A threshold technique for cloud detection in the tropical<br/>
mountainous area of Ecuador is presented which is based on National Oceanic<br/>
and Atmospheric Administration Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer<br/>
(NOAA-AVHRR) data. Cloud classification is performed for both day and<br/>
night overpasses by applying several threshold tests which also include ancillary<br/>
terrain information. From a set of 155 images, maps of relative cloud frequency<br/>
are calculated for Ecuador and adjacent areas as well as the central study area of<br/>
an ecological project in southern Ecuador (Loja). Results show a clear relation<br/>
between topography, main airflow and cloudiness due to barrage and lee-effects.<br/>
The spatial extension of high mountain ecosystems such as the Ecuadorian<br/>
Pa´ramo has been proven to be significantly influenced by the spatial pattern of<br/>
cloud frequency.
