How an Instagram Feed, Next Generation Satellite Imagery and Open-Access Data Are Changing the Way We See the Planet

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Daily Overview creator Ben Grant, using images from DigitalGlobe, hopes to foster a sense of stewardship for the planet.åÊ Even the most casual Instagram viewer scrolling throughåÊimages is likely to stop when a Daily Overview appears on the screen. Daily Overview images beg examination, a second look to determine what exactly is happening in the photo. That second look is … Read More

A Changing Landscape: Monitoring Cheatgrass with Satellite Imagery

EarthzineDEVELOP 2015 Fall VPS, DEVELOP Virtual Poster Session, Monitoring Change for Resource Management, Original

This is a part of the 2015 Fall VPS. For more VPS articles, click here Category:åÊMonitoring Change for Resource Management Project Team: Wyoming Ecological Forecasting Team Location: USGS at Colorado State University ‰ÛÒ Fort Collins, Colorado Authors: Darin Schulte Chandra Fowler Stephanie Krail Oliver Miltenberger Mentors/Advisors: Dr. Paul Evangelista (Colorado State University, Natural Resource Ecology Lab) Dr. Amanda West (Colorado … Read More

Mapping and modelling urban growth and its impact on the hydrology of urban watersheds with satellite imagery

EarthzineEarth Observation, Feature, Featured Article, In-Depth, Original, Water

Figure 3: Average daily rainfall (shaded and units of millimeters) from June-August (200-2006) composited for days with weak atmospheric forcing (lef). The 5 mm contour is shown in blue and the yellow boxes represent the mean upwind (left box), city (center box), and downwind (right box) regions. Lightning flash anomalies (May to September, 1995‰ÛÒ2003) on days dominated by weak atmospheric forcing (right) in Atlanta, Georgia. Image sources: [4] and [5], respectively.

FIG4 A recently concluded research project called MAMUD investigated how high and moderate resolution satellite imagery can be used for mapping and modeling urban growth and its impact on the hydrology of the urban and suburban environment. The paper focuses on research methods, major findings, and work carried out on the Greater Dublin Area in Ireland.

Pan-European Forest Maps Derived from Optical Satellite Imagery

EarthzineArticles, Earth Observation, Forest Resource Information Theme, Original, Sections, Themed Articles

Map showing JRC Forest Map 2000. Source: EC-JRC ‰ÛÒ FRC Unit.

Map showing JRC Forest Map 2006. Source: EC-JRC ‰ÛÒ FRC Unit.There is an increasing need for timely, accurate information on the spatial distribution and composition of forest resources. The use of eForest platform as a reference dataset is a new and unique development in the assessment of large-scale, continental forest maps, representing the first attempt to harmonize the data from Member States National Forest Inventories.

South Africa 2011 satellite imagery mosaic now available

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SumbandilaSat during Thermal Vacuum Testing at ISSA facility at HouwteqOriginally Published by Engineering News – The Earth Observation division of the South African National Space Agency recently launched the latest edition of its mosaic of satellite imagery of the whole of South Africa, using data from the Spot 5 earth observation satellite.

Monitoring Agricultural Tillage Practices with NASA Hyperspectral Satellite Imagery

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This image shows tillage classification derived from the Cellulose Absorption Index, which indicates crop residue. The accuracy of the classification distinguishing conventional tillage and conservation tillage was about 80%, and comparable to the accuracy of current monitoring methods. Ground data was obtained from Dr. Craig Daughtry, a research agronomist with the USDA-ARS Hydrology and Remote Sensing Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland, from the same area shown within the bounds of the NASA Hyperion satellite swath above.

This image shows tillage classification derived from the Cellulose Absorption Index, which indicates crop residue. The accuracy of the classification distinguishing conventional tillage and conservation tillage was about 80%, and comparable to the accuracy of current monitoring methods. Ground data was obtained from Dr. Craig Daughtry, a research agronomist with the USDA-ARS Hydrology and Remote Sensing Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland, from the same area shown within the bounds of the NASA Hyperion satellite swath above.How can NASA Earth observations help monitor the way farmers till their fields? In the wake of climate change and greenhouse gas levels increasing in the atmosphere, monitoring tilling practices has become increasingly important. Conventional tillage creates a carbon source, while conservation tillage creates a carbon sink. The need for an efficient and effective means of delineating fields prepared by conservation tillage calls for methodologies using remote sensing.

Analyzing the Resilience of Mediterranean Forest Systems to Wildfire Using Satellite Imagery

EarthzineArticles, Disaster Management Theme, Earth Observation, Ecosystems Theme, Original, Sections, Themed Articles

Map of portugal showing burned areas

Cropped image of a mixed forest in PortugalIn Portugal, the fire season of 2003 was the worst on record. Satellite imagery was used to study the post-fire vegetation response. The results contribute to our understanding of the impact of management strategies and can ultimately improve allocation of firefighting resources.

Agriculture and Food Availability – Cultivating the City: Mapping and Characterizing Urban Agriculture with Satellite Imagery

EarthzineAgriculture, Articles, Biodiversity, Earth Observation, Original, Sections, Sustainability

Cropped image of an urban garden in LisbonUrban agriculture is as old a pursuit as city living. It encompasses gardens scaled in size from windowsill and greenhouse cultivation to miniature farms with livestock, fish, bees, vineyards, orchards, produce, herb and flower gardens. Now remote sensing satellites are acquiring data to measure and help municipalities integrate this activity into city planning.