Description
In this training, conducted as part of the The Wildlife Society’s Annual Conference, NASA's Applied Remote Sensing Training (ARSET) team will explore the use of Earth observations to monitor wetland ecosystems in Malheur Wildlife Refuge, located in southeastern Oregon’s high desert. Spanning more than 187,000 acres, the refuge was established in 1908 to protect migratory waterfowl. It is a biodiversity hotspot supporting more than 340 bird species and 67 mammal species. Wetlands, which are crucial habitat for wildlife in the refuge, have been changing due to many factors, including ecological and hydrological shifts, the spread of invasive species, and overall habitat loss.
This two-hour, in-person training will focus on the refuge wetlands and their surrounding context as a way to highlight NASA remote sensing data that support the study of wetland ecosystems, water cycles, climate change, and the effects of human activity on the environment. Using NASA data and freely available online tools, ARSET will train participants in monitoring changes in these critical habitats, while demonstrating ways in which remote sensing data can contribute to habitat suitability models for specific species of interest. Participants also will learn example workflows for ecological monitoring, habitat mapping, and analysis of remote sensing imagery to support overall conservation goals and inform wetland management.
Location
Des Moines, Iowa
| Name | Title | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Justin Fain | ARSET Instructor | Bay Area Environmental Research Institute (BAERI), NASA ARC |
Objectives
By the end of this training, attendees will be able to:
- Recognize key characteristics of satellite imagery and derived data products that are relevant for ecological applications.
- Assess long-term surface-water occurrence and seasonality for a given region and timeframe using the Global Surface Water Explorer.
- Compare wetland conditions during drought and flood cycles using false-color imagery and surface-water products in NASA Worldview.
- Chart vegetation green-up using NDVI in ESRI Landsat Explorer to correlate habitat changes with migratory bird arrivals.
- Describe how remote sensing variables act as environmental predictors in species distribution models.
Audience
- Ecologists who have no prior knowledge of remote sensing
- Other attendees of The Wildlife Society Annual Conference
Course Format
Two-hour in-person workshop