Samford Peri-Urban Phenocam Images and Phenology Data Collection 

Fixed cameras installed at the Samford Peri-Urban SuperSite provide a time series of fine scale data as a long-term record of vegetation structure and condition. This dense time series of phenocam images provides data for analysis of ecological responses to climate variability, and when consolidated across the entire terrestrial ecosystem research network, supports calibration and validation of satellite-derived remote sensing data, ensuring delivery of higher quality results for broader scale environmental monitoring products. The Samford Peri-Urban SuperSite was established in 2010 in remnant fringe eucalypt forest, near urban development in the Samford Valley. The upper storey is dominated by Corymbia intermedia, Eucalyptus siderophloia and Lophostemon suaveolens. For additional site information, see https://www.tern.org.au/tern-observatory/tern-ecosystem-processes/samford-peri-urban-supersite/ . Phenocameras mounted at three locations within the boundaries of Samford Ecological Research Facility recorded images of vegetation change over a three/four month period in 2015. Other images collected at the site include photopoints, digital cover photography (DCP), panoramic landscape, and ancillary images of fauna and flora.  

We at TERN acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians throughout Australia, New Zealand and all nations. We honour their profound connections to land, water, biodiversity and culture and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. Samford Peri-Urban SuperSite is managed by the Queensland University of Technology. This work was jointly funded by the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN), an Australian Government National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) project. We at TERN acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians throughout Australia, New Zealand and all nations. We honour their profound connections to land, water, biodiversity and culture and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. 

Time series of vegetation phenological observations are collected to understand ecosystems annual cycles. Phenological timeseries can be used for ground-truthing remote sensing data products, for studies of climate change impacts on terrestrial ecosystems, and as a standard for earth system models. 

Phenocamera images were taken at three locations (creek, field and flux tower) within the Samford Ecological Research Facility. Phenocameras were mounted on a tree trunk (creek), fence post (field) and 1.5 m star picket (flux tower). They were programmed to record images of surrounding vegetation at approximately every five minutes for the creek phenocamera, and approximately every one hour for the field and flux tower phenocameras.