Besides displaying remote sensing data as spectra or as map images, they can also be displayed as time-courses and used to monitor ecosystem processes such as carbon fluxes and water fluxes (evapotranspiration). Below is a time-series with NDVI, WBI, and PRI (all of which were described in brief in the introduction to spectral data). Notice the seasonal pattern in each of these indices and how they change compared to both evapotranspiration and carbon fluxes.
Some highlights include a "normal" precipitation year from 2001-2002, a record drought in 2002-2003, and a "recovery" in 2003. Note the lower values in the indices and in evapotranspiration due to decline in plant function. Also note that in the case of carbon flux, a positive flux indicates loss to atmosphere and a negative flux indicates gain in ecosystem. By using remote sensing, it is possible to estimate vegetation function on a temporal as well as a spatial basis.
(Small note: there will also be further data incorporated which includes fire effects and post-fire recovery on reflectance data.)
