Langley DEVELOP's Asian Carp Project Lead Robert Bradley (center) with Dr. Russell De Young (NASA, Langley Research Center - left) and Blake Young (SSAI, DEVELOP National Program Office - right).
Authors:
Robert Bradley
Charley Follett
Brendan McAndrew
Rebecca Christhilf
Dr. Kenton Ross, SSAI/NOAA NESDIS (Science Advisor)
Abstract: Currently fishery scientists face a difficult task researching the establishment of Asian carp in the Great Lakes, and the economic and ecological threats this would pose. The NASA DEVELOP Great Lakes Ecosystem Team was formed in the spring 2011 to demonstrate the versatility of NASA technologies and assist in the decision-making process of Asian carp management. Building on existing and current research performed on the Asian Carp epidemic, it was determined there were two specific areas of focus that NASA technologies, resources, and DEVELOP students could assist. First was modeling potential spawning and feeding hotspots, and second was visualizing these models and other agency data outputs in a 3D environment. Hotspot maps showing likely spawning locations were developed using data provided by multiple government agencies and implemented into ArcMap 10. The Great lakes Information Network provided GIS layers of Lake Michigan, its dam structures, and USGS stream flow satiation locations, the USFWS provided GIS layers of lake tributaries and the surrounding wetlands, and the USGS provided real-time stream-flow and temperature data. For potential feeding hotspot mapping, zooplankton and phytoplankton were remotely sensed using sea surface color produced by NASA’s MODIS instrument on the Aqua/Terra satellites as they passed over Lake Michigan as well as the NASA SeaWiFS sea surface temperature. Using a NASA SRTM DEM and the GIS layers, 3D visualizations of the study area and the hotspot mapping were produced in ArcScene 10. These 3D visuals and USGS multibeam sonar data of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal were then projected into a 3D environment called the HIVE to dramatically visualize the data and provide an outreach tool for partner organizations to use in gaining future support for controlling Asian Carp establishment in the Great Lakes.
Download the poster PDF here.