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Guide to Second Sun
Shade Analysis Platform!

Understanding light distribution across a golf course is essential for maintaining healthy, high-performing turf. Second Sun’s Shade Analysis and DLI (Daily Light Integral) Map Analysis tools provide in-depth insights into how sunlight interacts with your course throughout the day and across different seasons. By leveraging these tools, you can make data-driven decisions to optimize turf health, reduce stress on shaded areas, and improve overall course sustainability.

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This guide will walk you through:

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  • Shade Analysis: Identifying shaded areas on your course and understanding how trees, structures, and terrain impact light exposure.

  • DLI (Daily Light Integral) Map Analysis: Measuring the total light received in specific areas to ensure optimal turf growth and health.

 

By utilizing these features, course managers can implement effective maintenance strategies, adjust irrigation and fertilization schedules, and make informed decisions about pruning or tree removal to enhance light access. Let's dive into each feature in detail.

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Shade Map

A Shade or Irradiation Map is a visual representation of shaded areas on your golf course throughout the day. It helps in understanding how trees, structures, and other objects affect sunlight exposure on different parts of the course, which is crucial for maintaining healthy turf.

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Access the Irradiation Map Feature: 

After logging in and selecting your golf course, you will land on the Irradiation Map page by default. Understand the buttons and their functions, to efficiently navigate the Irradiation Map and leverage the data for informed course management decisions.​

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Here’s how to navigate it efficiently:

  • Navigation Button: Located at the top left, this button allows you to select your preferred settings to navigate the shade patterns.

  • Legend Button: Found in the top right corner, this button provides explanations for color-coded data on the map, helping you interpret irradiation and shade distribution correctly.

  • Map View Button: Positioned in the lower right, this feature allows you to switch between different map views (e.g., satellite view, shadow map, or course map) for better visualization of your course layout.

  • Current Data Display: At the bottom center, this section shows real-time information on your selected location when hovering on the map, including irradiation  %  levels, selected month, time selection, and the latest date of the DSM data in use.

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2. Select preferred settings: Choose a specific month, time selection, and color display to analyze shade patterns, considering seasonal variations.

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  • Time Selection: Use the slider to select a month from January to December.

  • Daily Sunlight Periods: You can select a full-day view or specific time segments to understand shading at different times of the day.​​

    • Midday Only: 10:30 to 13:30

    • Afternoon Only: 13:30 to 18:30

  • Morning Only: 5:30 to 10:30

  • Full Day: Sunlight across the selected month.

  • Color Display Options:

    • Tricolor:

      • Red (0-20%): Areas that are mostly in the shadow

      • Yellow (20-80%): Areas that are mostly in partial sunlight 

      • Green (80-100%): Areas that are mostly in sunlight

    • Rainbow: Provides a more detailed gradient of shading levels for precise visualization.

      • 0% - areas that are always in shadow

      • 100% - areas that are always in the sun​

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3. View Shade Patterns: The platform will display a map highlighting shaded and sunlit areas based on the selected time and color display.

  • Zoom and Explore Key Areas of Interest:

  • Zoom into specific greens that are showing high shade density (red/yellow areas).

  • Use the color legend on the right-hand side to interpret the values.

  • Hover over specific areas to see value changes in real-time.​

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  • Use Different Map Views for Context:

  • Toggle between Course Map, Irradiation Map, and Satellite View to better understand the impact of shade on terrain and tree distribution.

  • This helps visualize whether shade is coming from trees, terrain elevation, or other obstructions.​

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Tips for Best Use:

  • Simulate Tree Removal: Identify trees causing excessive shade and simulate their removal to visualize potential improvements in sunlight distribution.

  • Analyze Impact: Assess how changes in shade patterns affect turf health and make informed decisions on tree management or course modifications.

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DLI Map

Daily Light Integral (DLI) measures the total amount of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) received in a specific area over a 24-hour period. It's expressed in moles of light per square meter per day. Understanding DLI is crucial for turf management, as it directly influences photosynthesis, turf growth, and overall health. Insufficient DLI can lead to weak turf, while optimal DLI supports robust growth.

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The DLI (Daily Light Integral) Map helps analyze how much light different areas of the golf course receive, which is essential for turf health. Follow these steps to navigate and interpret the map effectively.

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Access the DLI Map feature from the Irradiation Map Page:

After logging in and selecting your golf course, you will land on the Irradiation Map page, then click the DLI Map tab from the navigation pane. Understand the buttons and their functions, to efficiently navigate the DLI Map and leverage the data for informed course management decisions.

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Here’s how to navigate it efficiently:

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  • Navigation Button: Located at the top left, this button allows you to select your preferred settings to navigate the DLI shade patterns.

  • Legend Button: Found in the top right corner, this button provides explanations for color-coded data on the map, helping you interpret DLI and shade distribution correctly.

  • Map View Button: Positioned in the lower right, this feature allows you to switch between different map views (e.g., satellite view, shadow map, or course map) for better visualization of your course layout.

  • Current Data Display: At the bottom center, this section shows real-time information on your selected location when hovering on the map, including DLI values, selected month, time selection, and the latest date of the DSM data in use.

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2. Select preferred settings: Choose a specific month to analyze DLI patterns, with or without specific grass type on, and grass type considering seasonal variations.​

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  • Time Selection: Use the slider to select a month from January to December.

  • Color Display Options: through selection of with or no specific grass type

    • Specific Grass Type: Display Tricolor legends

Grass Types: Each grass type has different light requirements, so selecting the correct one is crucial for analysis.

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  • Perennial Ryegrass

  • Creeping Bent

  • Red Fescue

  • Bermudagrass

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DLI Tricolor Legends:

  • Red: Insufficient DLI

  • Yellow: Sufficient DLI

  • Green: Optimal DLI

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No Specific Grass Type: Display Rainbow legends, Provides a more detailed gradient of shading levels for precise visualization.

  • 0 DLI - purple areas

  • 30 DLI -  red areas

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  • Zoom and Explore Specific Areas:

    • Focus on greens or fairways with low DLI to assess potential issues.
       

    • Use the color legend to understand DLI values and their implications.
       

    • Hover over specific areas to see exact DLI measurement

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Tips for Best Use:

  • Monitor Regularly: Regular DLI assessments help track changes over time and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.
     

  • Combine with Other Data: Integrate DLI data with other metrics like soil moisture and temperature for comprehensive turf management.​
     

  • Consult Experts: Work with agronomists or turf specialists to interpret DLI data and implement appropriate strategies.

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