Remote Sensing Phenology of the Brazilian Caatinga and Its Environmental Drivers

The Caatinga is the largest nucleus of Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests (SDTF) in Neotropics. leafing patterns SDTF vegetation are adapted to current environmental and climate variability, but impacts change tend alter plants’ phenology. Thus, it necessary characterise phenological parameters evaluate relationship between drivers. From this information, possible identify dominant forces environment that trigger dynamics Caatinga. In way, remote sensing represents an essential tool investigate phenology vegetation, particularly as has a long series monitoring allows relationships with different This study two objectives: (i) estimate using Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) time-series over 20 years, (ii) phenologic TIMESAT software was used determine four parameters: Start Of Season (SOS), End (EOS), Length (LOS), Amplitude (AMPL). Boxplots, Pearson’s, partial correlation coefficients defined non-parametric test Fligner–Killeen interannual variability SOS EOS. Our results show seasonality growth three experimental sites. parameter presented greatest days year (DOY), reaching variation 117 days. sites highest same ones showed lowest EOS variation. addition, values LOS AMPL directly linked annual distribution rainfall, longer rainy season, greater their are. natural cycles drivers regulate ecosystem’s influence on Caatinga’s indicated sensitivity water availability, precipitation being limiting factor dynamics. Highlights: EVI time efficient estimating parameters. high start season (SOS) occurred low end (EOS) vice versa. deficit higher coefficient (LOS) amplitude (AMPL) rainfall.