Skip to main content

Description

Freshwater habitats play an important role in ecological function and biodiversity. Remote sensing of these ecosystems is primarily tied to observations of the drivers of biodiversity and ecosystem health. Remote sensing can be used to understand things such as land use and land cover change in a watershed, habitat connectivity along a water body, water body location and extent, and water quality parameters. This training series led by NASA's Applied Remote Sensing Training program (ARSET) guides participants through using NASA Earth observations for habitat monitoring, specifically for freshwater fish and other species. This training also provides a conceptual overview as well as the tools and techniques for applying landscape environmental variables to genetic and habitat diversity in species. 

Relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals: 6.6, 14.2

Access the Agenda (PDF, 60 KB)

Prerequisites

Objectives

By the end of this training attendees will: 

  • Understand the limitations of using remote sensing for freshwater habitats
  • Find data and models that can be used in their landscape genetics and habitat monitoring work
  • See how remote sensing can be used for habitat restoration, ecological assessments, and climate change assessments relating to freshwater systems
  • Be able to use the Riverscape Analysis Project decision support system
  • Be familiar with the Freshwater Health Index

Target Audience

This training is for local, regional, state, federal, and non-governmental organizations involved in conservation, habitat restoration, freshwater health, and riparian landscapes.

Course Format

  • Three 1-hour parts

Sessions

Part 1: Review of Aquatic Remote Sensing and Freshwater Habitats

Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019

As a result of this part of the webinar series, attendees will be able to: 

  • Identify which NASA satellites and sensors can be used for freshwater monitoring
  • Understand the limitations of remote sensing of freshwater habitats
  • Find data and models they can use in landscape genetics and habitat monitoring work

Materials

Part 2: Overview of the Riverscape Analysis Project (RAP)

Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019

As a result of this part of the webinar series, attendees will be able to: 

  • Understand using remote sensing for habitat restoration, ecological assessments, and climate change assessments relating to freshwater systems through case studies
  • Use the RAP decision-support system for accessing, downloading, and applying remote sensing data

Materials

Part 3: Overview of the Freshwater Health Index (FHI)

Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019

As a result of this part of the webinar series, attendees will be able to: 

  • Understand how to evaluate freshwater ecosystem health
  • Have the ability to use the FHI data and tools to assess freshwater ecosystem health
  • Identify potential uses of the FHI for their work and decision-making
  • Use the FHI to identify vulnerabilities to degradation and/or climate change, as well as opportunties for improvement of infrastructure development within a basin

Materials

Homework


 

Citation

(2019). ARSET - Remote Sensing for Freshwater Habitats. NASA Applied Remote Sensing Training Program (ARSET). https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/learn/trainings/remote-sensing-freshwater-habitats. 

Find More ARSET Trainings

Details

Last Updated

Jan. 21, 2026

Published

Sept. 17, 2019

Data Center/Project

Applied Remote Sensing Training Program (ARSET)