Unpiloted Aerial System (UAS)-Supported Biogeomorphic Analysis of Restored Sierra Nevada Montane Meadows

The benefits of meadow restoration can be assessed by understanding the connections among geomorphology, hydrology, and vegetation; and multispectral imagery captured from unpiloted aerial systems (UASs) can provide the best method in terms of cost, resolution, and support for vegetation indices. Our field studies were conducted on northern Sierra montane meadows (with ≤70 km2 watershed area). The meadows exist in various stages of ecological restoration. Field survey methods included GPS + laser-leveling channel survey, cross-sections, LiDAR, vegetation sampling, soil measurements, and UAS imaging. A sensor captured calibrated blue (465–485 nm), green (550–570 nm), red (663–673 nm), near infrared (NIR) (820–860 nm), and red-edge (712–722 nm) bands at 5.5 cm resolution (as well as thermal at 81 cm resolution) and provided multispectral images and derivative vegetation indices such as the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and red-edge chlorophyll index (Clre). This fine-scale imagery extended our morphometric assessment of post-restoration channel bedform patterns and sinuosity related to Carex-influenced soil properties and Salix influence, and also documented groundwater-related effects via Carex patterns evident from spring snowmelt images, as well as NDVI and Clre (derived from spring and summer images) in growing to senescent phenological stages. Carex was significantly associated with low bulk density and high soil moisture, NDVI, and Clre in low-lying areas, and channel sinuosity was significantly associated with willow influence. Our methods can be applied by restoration managers to assess where projects are threatened by renewed incision and to document levels of carbon sequestration significant to addressing climate change.

Somatic and population adaptations of Polysarcus denticauda (Orthoptera) in extreme altitudes

Altitudinal preferences, somatic and population adaptations in different ecological conditions were analysed in flightless bush-cricket species Polysarcus denticauda (Charpentier, 1825). Altitudinal analysis was performed in GIS software (more than 60 sites in Slovakia, Central Europe). Seasonal occurrence and population density were recorded in selected sites. To compare differences, absolute values of measurements (length of body, hind femur and tibia, cerci and weight) and Body Condition Index were taken from males. Study species prefers mesophilous montane up to alpine meadows in higher elevations (over 600 m a.s.l.). The development started over one month earlier in lowlands and populations reached several fold higher density there. Males from lowlands had body parameters significantly bigger apart from cerci. Cerci were significantly longer in males from mountains. However, males of the same size were significantly heavier in higher altitudes. In conclusion, refuges of montane meadows ecosystem support species survival nowadays.