Keywords
precipitation
productivity
arid zones
How to Cite
Abstract
The introduction of buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) to increase forage production has caused modifications in large extensions of land in the Sonoran Desert. In addition, our knowledge about the influence of climatic phenomena, such as El Niño, on vegetation productivity dynamics is limited. The present work aims to analyze the photosynthetic/productive activity of Sonoran Desert vegetation in subtropical shrub and buffel grassland sites to determine differences between phases of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. Study sites were established in vegetation communities with and without buffel grass. “Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)” satellite images were acquired to derive the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in 16-day composites. Information was obtained about the different phases of El Niño from 2001 to 2017. The results suggest higher productive activity during the Neutral phase than during the El Niño or La Niña phases. Also, subtropical shrub presents higher productive activity than buffel grasslands in any of the analyzed season-phase combinations, except in La Niña during summer.
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