Original Articles

Abstracts and Papers being accepted for joint GSDI/AfricaGIS Conference

Image of flags on poles. A combined GSDI 14 and AfricaGIS 2013 conference is planned for November in Ethiopia, and a deadline for abstracts is fast approaching. The conference theme is “Spatial Enablement in Support of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction.”

Earthzine staff , posted on April 12th, 2013
Announcements, Earth Observation

Application of Next-Generation Satellite Data to a High-Resolution, Real-Time Land Surface Model

Figure showing Difference plots (LIS minus control) of a 13-hour forecast valid at 1600 UTC, June 9, 2008, for the following fields: a) sensible heat flux (W m-2), b), 2-m dew point temperature (in degree Celsius), c) PBL height (m), and d) CAPE (J kg-1). Adapted from [5].A suite of real-time soil characteristic products for the contiguous United States will be enhanced by data from the upcoming Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) and Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) satellite missions. These products are used by operational weather forecasters to aid in analyzing and forecasting drought, extreme heat, and convective initiation.

Zavodsky et al., posted on April 10th, 2013
Applied Sciences, Articles, Earth Observation, Technology

Copernicus and Earth Observation’s Potential for the EU Environment

Illustration of the \Sentinel-3 satellite, developed by ESA for the Copernicus program. Image Credit: ESA.Copernicus aims to produce data to be used by national and local authorities in the European Union for monitoring, modeling, forecasting and reporting. The European Space Agency is developing five new missions called Sentinels specifically for the operational needs of the Copernicus program.

Dimitris Kotzinos, posted on April 5th, 2013
Earth Observation, Politics, Quick Look

Improving Crop Yield Forecasting in Uruguay using Landsat Imagery

Image of crops. Image Credit: DEVELOPBy detecting various crops at early stages in the planting season and understanding how pixels evolve over the planting season, crop yield forecasts can be improved and provided earlier. This study uses the Satellite Automatic Image Mapper to classify Landsat imagery of crop fields for the 2011 and 2012 planting seasons.

Uruguay Agriculture Team , posted on April 3rd, 2013
Earth Observation

Monitoring Air Quality Impacts from Coal Power Plants in Virginia

Map of Virginia showin impacts from coal burning plants. Image Credit: DEVELOPIn the heart of Southwest Virginia lie two technologically distinct power plants. One uses traditional coal-burning technology, and the other uses innovative “clean coal”-fired technology. With two plants within miles of one another, this project aims to use NASA Earth observations to monitor and compare the environmental impacts of each.

Virginia Health Team , posted on April 3rd, 2013
Spring 2013 VPS

Providing the Perfect Pit Stop for Birds in Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, Kansas

Satellite imagery of Kansas. Credit DevelopThe Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area is the largest wetland in the interior United States, and is a stopover for 45 percent of the birds who migrate north through the area. A land cover classification map and an estimate of suspended sediment changes will help managers to track the effectiveness of policies aimed at maintaining this critical habitat.

Kansas Eco Team , posted on April 3rd, 2013
Spring 2013 VPS

Using NASA EOS to Enhance Ground-Level Ozone Monitoring in the Appalachian Region

Map of the United States showing ground level ozone. Credit Image: DEVELOPTropospheric ozone is harmful to humans, trees, crops, and other vegetation. This project focused on providing the U.S. Forest Service with a sustainable tool to enhance its current ozone monitoring practices using NASA remote-sensing data. Data from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument and the Microwave Limb Sounder aboard the Aura mission were used for this project.

Appalachian Health Team , posted on April 3rd, 2013
Spring 2013 VPS

Modeling Yosemite’s Water Budget: It’s HYDRA-Logical!

Map of Yosemite National PArk. Image Credit: DEVELOPHydrological modeling has the potential to drastically improve water resource management in Yosemite National Park. By combining satellite-derived data, such as precipitation, temperature, land cover and elevation values, it is possible to ascertain and quantify surface water availability at any given time.

Yosemite Water Team , posted on April 3rd, 2013
Spring 2013 VPS

Beyond the Beetle: Modeling Change in a Post-Attack Subalpine Forest Ecosystem

Satellite imagery of bark beetle infestation. Credit: DEVELOPUsing pre- and post-attack Landsat imagery, 7.2-meter validation plot data, and various modeling strategies, forest stand changes were measured in a subalpine ecosystem at Fraser Experimental Forest in Fraser, Colorado, which resulted from the mountain pine beetle epidemic from 1996 to 2002. This new information will aid local forest management stakeholders and decision-makers, spur ongoing restoration efforts, and assist future research projects.

Colorado Eco Team , posted on April 3rd, 2013
Spring 2013 VPS

Disaster in Duluth, Onslaught in Ontario: Rainfall and Flooding in the Summer of 2012

TRMM Mission rainfall measurements for June 20, 2012 in the Duluth, Minnesota, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, study areas. Image Credit: DEVELOPA team of NASA DEVELOP interns at Langley Research Center used satellite data along with the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency’s HAZUS flood model to examine the destruction caused by extreme rainfall events in Duluth, Minnesota, and Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Great Lakes Disasters Team , posted on April 3rd, 2013
Spring 2013 VPS