On the spatial and temporal variability of Larch phenological cycle in mountainous areas

In this study we analyze the spatial and temporal variability of European Larch phenological cycle in mountainous areas (Val d'Aosta, Italy) by using a combination of satellite data, primary topographic attributes (altitude and aspect) and phenological models driven by climatic variables. We apply a remote sensing technique based on a time series of MODIS TERRA 250m 16-days NDVI data for mapping the inter-annual variability of phenological cycle. Starting from the satellite green-up maps we spatially explored the response of larch phenology at different terrain conditions varying for altitude and aspect. A retrospective analysis based on climate-driven phenological models was finally conductedd to evaluate the magnitude of temporal variability of Larch phenology in the last century.