Ground observations of spring leaf emergence phenology at eight sites in and near the Coweeta basin (2011-2012).

This study was conducted to evaluate the utility of satellite data from the MODIS sensor to predict the timing of spring leaf emergence in the Southern Appalachians. Eight ground sampling sites were established on square plots (231 x 231 meters) that corresponded to the dimensions of MODIS satellite pixels. Each site was visited approximately every other day and observations on the status of leaf emergence in the canopy and understory were collected at 30 subsampling points within each site. Observations consisted of visual estimates of leaf emergence status on marked trees and shrubs, as well as digital photographs of the canopy and understory taken from consistent locations at each subsampling point.