Landscape phenology, vegetation condition, and relations with climate at Curecanti National Recreation Area, 2000–2019
Thoma D . 2025. Landscape phenology, vegetation condition, and relations with climate at Curecanti National Recreation Area, 2000–2019. Science Report. NPS/SR—2025/219. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2307122
Climate determines the vegetation composition in parks and climate change will affect vegetation condition and composition in the future. This study, which examined changes in climate, water availability, and vegetation from 2000 to 2019 in Curecanti National Recreation Area (NRA) in Colorado, USA, evaluates vegetation sensitivity to weather and climate for the purpose of understanding climate-vegetation relationships that can be used to understand what vegetation types may change. Specifically, it evaluates where change is likely in the NRA, when change may happen and why change may occur. This information is needed to help avoid surprises and can be used to help plan for inevitable change. Satellite images were analyzed with climate data to quantify vegetation sensitivity to climate and drought tolerance. Historic trends in vegetation production and phenology were evaluated and analysis with climate data identified which aspects of climate were most important to annual production and phenology for different vegetation types. Additionally, trends in climate and climate drivers of vegetation phenology were also identified. Study results suggest that annual trends in vegetation production increased in 98% of the area analyzed in and near Curecanti NRA between 2000 and 2019, and decreased in the other 2%. Further, from 2000 to 2019, the growing season shortened by 0.6 to 8 days for six vegetation alliance groups (Mesic Sagebrush, Dry Sagebrush, Quaking Aspen, Mixed Montane Shrubland, Disturbed, and Blue Spruce), but lengthened by 2 to 17 days for the other 10 alliance groups that are found in Curecanti NRA. Finally, the information generated in this study was placed in the context of a climate adaptation planning framework to demonstrate how it can be used for long-range management and planning.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Thoma, David
- Date of Issue
- 2025-01
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- DOI
- 10.36967/2307122
- Units
- CURE , NCPN , NRSS
- Keywords
- climate change, drought tolerance, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer, MODIS, monitoring, NCPN Land Surface Monitoring, NDVI, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, Remote Sensing, snow-cover extent, vegetation condition, vegetation phenology, vegetation production, water balance