Litchfield Supersite

Litchfield Savanna Supersite

[maitec @maitec_sec]

Has it been hit by another strike in the same storm? Or is it the same plant connected to the other stem by an extensive root network?

[maitec @maitec_sec]

This tree close to one of our leaf litter traps at the #NorthAustralianSatelliteValidationFacility @LitchfieldSSS has been hit and killed by lightning in the wet season. Another tree about 25m away is dead, too. It looks like it has been killed by lightning as well.

[maitec @maitec_sec]

to get tall enough to block out sunlight from grasses + get out of the "fire trap". To protect themselves from the intense sun that shines through the canopy gaps, saplings have produced large amounts of sun protective pigments (anthocyanins) giving them a red/purple appearance.

[maitec @maitec_sec]

... and here is one from after the fire of one of the hemispherical cameras.

[maitec @maitec_sec]

Some pix of the #fuelreduction #burn at the #NorthAustralianSatelliteValidation site @LitchfieldSSS taken by one of our vegetation cameras. The #fire (#bushfire) was very low intensity and moving barely 10m per hour.

[maitec @maitec_sec]

A little video showing the fire burning inside the tree.

[maitec @maitec_sec]

Reducing #bushfire fuel loads at #NorthAustralianSatelliteValidationFacility @LitchfieldSSS through raking and prescribed burning this week to protect instrumentation. Came across a hollow tree that was burning inside.

[maitec @maitec_sec]

We didn't just catch leaves ...

[maitec @maitec_sec]

We've done our first trip in 2024 to the #NorthAustralianSatelliteValidationFacility (#NASVF) @LitchfieldSSS to sample leaf traps, download large volume datasets and do general instrument maintenance. 36C with 65% humidity (equiv to a heat index of 49C) meant it was very hot!!!

[maitec @maitec_sec]

Greening up @LitchfieldSSS #NorthAustralianSatelliteValidationFacility after recent rains

[maitec @maitec_sec]

Currently at the FLEX workshop @esa ESRIN presenting our work on retrieval of solar-induced fluorescence from @DLR_en DESIS data at the #NorthAustralianSatelliteValidationFacility @LitchfieldSSS . Some great discussions around validation, applications and signal interpretation.

[Litchfield Supersite @LitchfieldSSS]

@TERN_Aus @AusSpaceAgency

[maitec @maitec_sec]

We've been working late and getting up early for leaf area index (#LAI) measurements at dusk and dawn for for #satellite #validation. Collaboration with @CopernicusGBOV

[Litchfield Supersite @LitchfieldSSS]

@TERN_Aus

[maitec @maitec_sec]

Another beautiful sunrise @LitchfieldSSS . It is amazing that we still have dew conditions overnight this late in the dry season.

[LI-COR @LICOR_ENV]

Touring the Litchfield Savanna SuperSite @LitchfieldSSS. Lindsay Hutley @HutleyLindsay gives an overview of Eddy Covariance measurements conducted at the site. They have done an amazing job battling the elements (fire, lightning, etc.) over the years. @Jo_Owens_2020 @TERN_Aus

[maitec @maitec_sec]

Installed second @thethingsntwrk gateway for #NorthAustralianSatelliteValidationFacility @LitchfieldSSS to provide redundant network coverage for environmental sensors. Fully functional but missing heat shielding to protect from frequent #bushfires. @CopernicusGBOV

[maitec @maitec_sec]

Repaired and reinstalled #PAR sensors @TERN_Aus instrument tower @LitchfieldSSS for #NorthAustralianSatelliteValidationFacility in collaboration with @CopernicusGBOV . The sensors have been damaged by lightning. #validation #EarthObservation

[maitec @maitec_sec]

Looks like this year will be quite wet at the @LitchfieldSSS . So far we've recorded 1930.2mm of rain since 1st July 2022. And there are still a couple of months left in the wet season.

[maitec @maitec_sec]

Air temperature just reached 37.2C at #NorthAustralianSatelliteValidationFacility @LitchfieldSSS. With relative humidity around 60% apparent temperature is 51C. Please be very careful out there! #heatwave

[maitec @maitec_sec]

Last two months of 5cm soil moisture data at #NorthAustralianSatelliteValidationFacility @LitchfieldSSS. After a number of rain events, a week without rain and the intense sun cause the top soil layers to dry out quickly.

[maitec @maitec_sec]

A lot of regrowth in the understorey and the tree canopy(!) after the site received 538mm of rain in the last three months.