Abstract - Remotely sensed metrics have been used to estimate diversity and heterogeneity in vegetation however, these estimations can also be influenced by other factors such as abiotic variables. It is understood that topography and climate shape species composition and distribution (biodiversity), thus influencing spectral reflectance and confounding the relationship between remotely sensed metrics and vegetation diversity. Understanding the interactions among these variables is important to accurately estimate biodiversity using remote sensing. This presentation assesses some of the relationships between spectral data, landscape characteristics, species composition and distribution, and management (prescribed burning and cattle grazing).

Bio - Catherine is a 5th year PhD candidate under Drs. John Gamon and Daniel Uden. She holds a BS in Marketing from Boston College and an MS in Forest Ecosystems Sciences from the University of Maine. In between her undergraduate and graduate education, she worked at a biotech in Cambridge, Massachusetts as an administrative assistant where she feels she gained an interesting perspective on a lot of complexities between science and administration.