Methodological development of near-remote sensing of vegetation dynamics and permafrost collapse

I propose to develop and test a method of monitoring vegetation change and permafrost degradation using simple field instruments and a normal digital camera. I will survey vegetation cover and take photographs with NDVI and normal cameras at 186 permanent plots in Adventdalen. Percentage cover from field observations will be compared to those derived from pictures to check consistency of estimations between field and photo. Greenness indices will be extracted from photos and related to vegetation cover. After establishing this relationship, I will be able to document change using historical photos by comparing greenness indices over several years going back to 2008. I will measure active layer depth at certain sites of permafrost degradation and download temperature loggers. I will use this data to evaluate the possibility of using vegetation change and other near-remote sensing tools to indicate future permafrost dynamics.