**Current I&M and NPS Activities Using of Remotely Sensed (RS) Data, and
Some Related Information**

**John E. Gross -- January 2004**

**Introduction**

This document summarizes ongoing activities using remotely sensed data
that may be of interest to I&M Networks. The summary includes:

-   current I&M activities (contracts, RFPs, ongoing projects and
    imagery purchases)

-   information from other NPS programs (e.g., vegetation mapping, fire
    program)

-   selected details from other agencies (e.g., USGS, BLM)

The summary will hopefully stimulate collaboration and information
sharing, both within the I&M program and with other agencies. As I
receive additional materials, I'll add them to this document and keep
the most current version posted on the I&M web site at:
<http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/monitor/lulc_rs.htm>

Please email comments or information to <John_Gross@nps.gov> .

**I&M Network Activities**

(A map of networks can be found on the last page; visit
<http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/networks.htm> for the map and list of
parks in each network).

**CAKN** (Central Alaska: Sara Wesser) -- Proposed regional workshop to
evaluate use of RS data for vital sign monitoring, particular as it
applies to very large, remote areas (e.g., \> 5 mil acres). The Alaska
region uses RS data extensively for vegetation mapping. See description
of Alaska Regional efforts below for a more complete description of
activities.

**CUPN** (Cumberland/Piedmont: Teresa Leibfreid) -- Main interest is in
adjacent land-use change over time. Small parks range from 200 to 20,000
acres (this does not include Mammoth Cave). We want to compare utility
of different sources of data and metrics from analysis. A recent study
was completed for Mammoth Cave, through a cooperative agreement with
USGS. They used a vector based analysis by digitizing polygons from
1:12,000 CIR aerial photos, comparing 1990s to 2001. Anderson Level III
classification was used. The CUPN is interested in a similar analysis
for the rest of the network parks. The starting year and intervals (5yr?
10yr?) need to be worked out. Some data may be available through
existing state or other federal agency programs. We plan to make use of
existing programs wherever practicable.

**GLKN** (Great Lakes: Bill Route) -- Contract with Michigan State
University to summarize regionally significant land use change
information (GIS products) and post them to the Network\'s web site.
Contract with U. Minnesota (P. Bolstad) to evaluate different data
sources/resolutions and to evaluate different landscape-scale metrics
and indices for Vital Signs Monitoring. GLKN has purchased air photos
and several types of satellite imagery.

**GRYN** (Greater Yellowstone -- Kathy Jean and Rob Bennetts) -- At the
present time we are primarily in exploratory mode re use of RS data.
Current efforts include using RS data for background information for the
development of monitoring designs, including collaborative efforts to:

1.  Develop classification criteria for stratification of watersheds
    based on characteristics that affect water quality.

2.  Identification and mapping the distribution of Whitebark Pine

3.  Identification and mapping of important amphibian habitats.

4.  Vegetation classification and mapping of Grand Teton N. P.

Pilot efforts are also underway by collaborators of the GRYN to develop
methodologies that will enable tracking heat flow for geothermal sites.

Although projects are not yet underway we are also exploring the use of
RS data for various aspects of monitoring LULC, forest insect and
disease patterns, invasive plant species distribution and spread,
distribution of beaver dams, fire, and woody fuels.

We have a large archive of RS data available, including access to data
from most existing sensors types for a portion of Yellowstone N.P.

**HTLN** (Heartland: Phyllis Adams) -- A contract was issued to Andy
Hansen (Montana State Univ.) to:

1\. Develop conceptual models of links between Park units and the
surrounding landscape

2\. Provide a list of indicators that measure landscape change

3\. Provide a written justification and explanation of the selected
indicators, including a discussion of the relationships between the
indicators and the park's ecosystems and resources.

The justification was to be delivered by 31 July 2003.

**NCBN** (Northeast Coast and Barrier: Bryan Milstead) --

1\. (w/ Y.W. Wang, U. Rhode Island) -- Mapping terrestrial and submerged
aquatic vegetation at Fire Island National Seashore. The project will
explore use of high-resolution data sources including QuickBird-2 (0.6,
2.5 m), hyperspectral AVIRIS, and Hyperion. The project will develop
vegetation maps, conduct validation, and compare working protocols that
can be applied to other NPS vegetation mapping projects. Products will
be data sets, maps, and protocols.

2\. (w/ Mark Duffy, NPS, and John Brock, USGS) -- Airborne surveys in
the NCBN. The primary focus is to create high-resolution digital
elevation models (DEMs) for the network monitoring program. DEMs will be
derived from LIDAR (1m horizontal, 10-15cm vertical resolution) data.
Four parks (ASIS, CACO, FIIS, GATE) were surveyed in 2002 and the
remaining parks (COLO, GEWA, THST, SAHI) are scheduled for 2003. USGS
serves at the lead agency. This platform has also been successfully used
for bathymetric mapping in South Florida-Carribbean marine areas and for
measuring coral reef rugosity. Plans to add a hyperspectral instrument
have been discussed, but no timetable was established.

**NCCN** (North Cascades and Olympic: Andrea Woodward) -- Remote sensing
could be an ideal tool to address monitoring in the mountainous parks of
the NCCN where access is challenging. However, those very mountains
together with a maritime climate make imagery less useful than in some
other areas. The mountains of the Pacific Northwest are covered with
coniferous trees, create frequent cloud cover, and have few horizontal
surfaces. To address these challenges, the Network held a workshop in
October 2002 to learn about remote sensing technologies, hear about
other remote sensing projects in the region, and obtain help assessing
whether and how Network monitoring needs might be addressed using
remotely sensed data. Participants at the workshop concluded that
satellite imagery, especially Landsat TM/ETM images, and aerial
photography should be the top priorities of the Network (see
<http://fresc.usgs.gov/ofs> for workshop summary). Following-up on the
recommendation to use satellite imagery, an RFP was issued in July 2003
for a two-year study to:

1.  Consult with NPS staff members to develop a study plan to address
    monitoring needs with satellite imagery. This will be a process of
    honing recommendations from the workshop to describe a specific plan
    of imagery analysis. Particular monitoring needs include disturbance
    patterns, riparian dynamics, land use/land cover change, changes in
    vegetation patterns, and snow cover extent and phenology of melt.

2.  Conduct tests of potential image-processing methods to determine
    whether sufficient scale and resolution can be obtained to meet the
    monitoring needs.

3.  Write a monitoring protocol to NPS standards for analyzing satellite
    imagery to address the needs that can be effectively met.

4.  Revise the protocol following peer-review.

Responses to the RFP are currently being reviewed and work will begin
before the end of FY03. We will address protocol development for aerial
photos at a later date.

**NCPN** (Northern Colorado Plateau: Mark Miller, Thom O'Dell) -- NCPN
and NCP Prototype Cluster (Mark Miller, Thom O\'Dell) With USGS
protocol-development funds, NCPN will contract with one or more
cooperators to prepare a report which evaluates the relative
applicability (cost and feasibility) of existing and emerging RS
technologies to vital-signs monitoring at both broad and fine spatial
scales. At broad scales, changing land-use and land-cover patterns
within and particularly adjacent to parks are major concerns of resource
managers. Monitoring for changes in land-cover and landscape structure
(i.e., spatial configuration of patch types) across extensive landscapes
within and adjacent to parks will require repeated acquisition and
analysis of broad-scale imagery with comprehensive coverage.

At finer scales, many resource-management issues faced by NCPN parks are
associated with networks of interconnected corridors (e.g., roads,
trails, riparian zones) and nodes (e.g., trailheads, roadside pullouts,

campgrounds). These corridors and nodes are areas where the
probabilities of rapid environmental changes are much greater than in
the surrounding landscape matrix due to concentrated visitor-use
patterns, dynamic natural disturbance regimes, or both (riparian
corridors). In many cases, ground-based approaches will be inadequate
for monitoring conditions in these areas because of problems with
accessibility (river corridors), destructive sampling (damage to intact
biological soil crusts by monitoring teams), and high costs (large
number of ground monitoring stations required for a distributed network
of high-impact zones). Because of the potential for rapid change, these
dynamic zones should be monitored at a greater temporal frequency than
surrounding landscapes. But because of their relatively limited spatial
extent, it would be inefficient to monitor these dynamic zones solely
with the comprehensive imagery required to address broad-scale
questions. Thus the cooperator will be required to evaluate

satellite-based sensors as well as sensors that can be mounted on
piloted aircraft.

It is anticipated that the evaluation report resulting from this work
will be used to guide the development of broad- and fine-scale pilot
studies to address specific monitoring questions in prototype parks.

**NCRN** (National Capital Region: Marcus Koenen) -- Contract (2 yrs)
with the Appalachian Laboratory to develop two monitoring protocols,
based on differences in image type and resolution. The protocols will
address nine vital signs. One protocol addresses habitat monitoring
(habitat fragmentation, habitat types and cover, habitat change); the
second protocol addresses vegetation cover, topographic change, gypsy
moth impacts, and viewshed projects. The protocols will use data from
multiple sensors including aerial photography, IKONOS satellite imagery,
and Landsat ETM+ imagery. Protocols will include SOP and an
implementation plan.

**NETN** (Northeast Temperate: Greg Shriver) -- Impacts of land-cover
chang on the National Parks of the Northeast Temperate Network. *Y.Q.
Wang and Gregory Bonynge, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode
Island.* http://www.ltrs.uri.edu/nps_lulc/default.html

This is a 2-year project (2003-2005) to assess regional changes in
land-cover types, provide a landscape context for each park, and
elucidate how park ecosystems contribute to regional biodiversity. The
cooperators will evaluate land cover change within and surrounding 10
parks and 10 segments of the AT (ME-MD) using TM data collected at three
time periods (early 1970's, mid-1980's, and present). Gaps in land
protection will also be determined around each park to provide
additional knowledge that will assist prioritizing park ecosystems and
ecosystem threats.

**PACN** (Pacific Island: Melia Lane-Kamahele, not present) -- For
Hawaii, there are several multi-agency agreements that provide for
economical acquisition of state-wide coverage of IKONOS, SPOT, and
Emerge imagery. They are involved with the National Map program and
Hawaii GAP Program, and have access to use Landsat 7 (ETM) and other
locally flown aerial photography. These images are used to map and
monitor terrestrial, estuarine, and marine and freshwater aquatic
environments. Contacts include Pat Chavez (USGS-BRD, Flagstaff) and Guy
Hughes (NPS, KALA).

**SFCN** (South Florida/Caribbean: Matt Patterson) -- In partnership
with Dr. John Brock, USGS and Wayne Wright, NASA, three parks were flown
during summer 2003 in the U.S. Virgin Islands, including Virgin Islands
National Park, Buck Island Reef National Monument, Salt River national
Historic Site and Ecological Reserve, and shallow sections of Virgin
Islands Coral Reef national Monument. These flights were part of an
ongoing study to incorporate LIDAR data with coral reef information to
provide a way of monitoring sensitve shallow areas where vessel based
remote sensing (acoustic) is imposible. The data collected is on a scale
of 1 m^2^ horizontal resolution and 10 cm vertical resolution.
Derivative product that will come from this project will include shallow
bathymetery surrounding all four sites, digital elevation models of the
islands, and estimations of *Acropora palamata* (Staghorn coral) mass,
coral reef rugosity, and areas where erosion may become problematic. The
agreement also funds a part time student assistant to help produce NPS
derivatives. Dr. Brock has already previously flown significan amounts
of Biscayne National Park, and hopes to cover Dry Tortugas National Park
in the near future.

The SFCN is proposing to test aerial, multispectral, and hyperspectral
platforms in three areas in S. Florida to determine cost-benefit
analysis for fire and vegetation mapping as part of a larger fire fuels
vegetation mapping proposal submitted during FY03. The current
vegetation map will be checked for accuracy, and this ground truthed
data will be leveraged to assist with classification algorithms for RS
data.

The SFCN partnered with the State of Florida Marine Research Institute
to share the cost of collecting aerial imagery of Florida Bay, within
Everglades National Park. The network funded half of the cost of data
collection, the state, in turn will scan, georectify, and mosaic the
imagery, as well as develop and share a detailed benthic habitat
classification data layer.

**SODN** (Sonoran Desert: Andy Hubbard): Four projects were either
recently completed or are now underway:

1\. IKONOS \"Pro\" (1, 4 m resolution) comparison with 1:40,000 color
infra-red (CIR) photographs for vegetation mapping at CORO (final report
completed in FY03): completed with FY02 SODN funds.

2\. IKONOS \"Pro\" imagery is currently being used to develop a
vegetation map for CHIR, and develop a method for unsupervised
classification of pixels into lifeform categories (woody, herbaceous,
bare). This project was funded in FY02 (SODN funds) and will be complete
by December 2003.

3\. Border Impacts monitoring (FY03 NPS \$\$ from DS-CESU and NPS
Mexican Affairs office): application of 0.6m Quickbird imagery to detect
illegal migrant trails in a 2km swath along the border at CORO and ORPI.
This project started in June of 2003, but image acquisition has been
delayed until October due to cloud cover and humidity.

4\. DoD support of border impact monitoring: A remote sensing module
within the DoD has offered to purchase and process LIDAR and
hyperspectral (aircraft) imagery for CORO and ORPI to support #2.
Funding would be provided by DOD, though NPS (our network of Mexican
Affairs Office) or NASA (Chuck Hutchinson) might need to supply a small
amount of funds to cover some of the analysis at UA.

All four of these efforts involve Sam Drake and the Arizona Remote
Sensing Center (UA).

**SWAN** (Southwest Alaska Network) -- Has a collaboration with Brad
Reed (USGS) to develop protocols base on MODIS data to monitor snow/ice
coverage, plant phenology (start and end of season), and examine utility
of MODIS and/or ASTER for monitoring glacial silt in freshwater and
marine systems. (2004-2005).

## Other NPS Activities

**Detecting Salt March Changes -- Protocol development and
implementation in Gateway National Recreation Area** (Nigel Shaw, Y.Q.
Wang)

A 2-yr project has been funded to use historical aerial photography and
QuickBird imagery (0.6m pan, 2.4 m multispectral) to assess the extent
of salt marshes and their change over time. The project, scheduled to be
completed in 30 June, 2005, is to establish a virtual field reference
database of georeferenced photographs, conduct field studies to validate
classification of imagery, conduct an accuracy assessment of the
methods, and to develop a protocol for future studies of change
detection.

**Alaska Support Office** (George Dickison)

Alaskan Parks comprise roughly 54,000,000 acres in 15 units throughout
the state (60% of National Park Lands). These Parks represent a wide
diversity of habitats and vegetation. Many of these Parks had received
little or no comprehensive mapping prior to the implementation of the
Landcover Mapping Program. The Alaska Landcover Mapping Program is built
around a cost structure of only \$0.075/acre and as a result remote
sensing is an integral part of our projects.

We have about 150 satellite images covering Alaskan NPS lands in our
archive and we continue to purchase additional images as they become
available. The imagery has been used to derive map products using image
processing techniques. The satellite images are also used as "photos" to
generate park-wide image mosaics. These image mosaics are orthorectified
with an approximate horizontal positional accuracy of ±50m and a spatial
resolution of 15-30m. They are useful for interpretation or as a
cartographic base reference at a scale of approximately 1:50,000. They
are particularly useful since they are Park-wide and allow a user to
pan/zoom throughout out the Park. Landcover maps and image mosaics are
delivered to users as compressed .sid files within the NPS Arcview Data
Browser to allow easy, effective access to these products.

Aerial photo mosaics have also been prepared to provide more detailed
visualization of selected areas (ie.coastlines) within Parks however
these products are not orthorectified and are not useable as
cartographic reference. Landcover is exploring acquisition of detailed
orthophoto products for selected areas. Several options are being
investigated that provide a variety cost/detail tradeoffs. High
precision photo based orthophotos are being prepared for Klondike
Goldrush using LIDAR derived DEMs. This product is expensive and
expected to have high precision. The dense forest canopy in the study
area will provide a good test of the LIDAR technique. In addition
logistical problems of establishing precision survey control throughout
the study area will be explored.

Less costly and less precise options for orthophoto production are also
being examined. Existing DEMs generate positional errors of
approximately 5-20m depending on terrain. The use of these products in
low priortiy areas is being considered.

Data products from the new generation of high resolution satellites such
as IKONOS and QUICKBIRD are also receiving attention in Alaska. The high
costs and small footprint of these satellites restricts the utility of
these satellites to specific, small study areas. In addition the digital
format and lower terrain distortion can make these products more useful
than conventional aerial photography. In some cases such as Anaikchak,
where the logistical/weather constraints are so demanding, the high
repeat cycle and off nadir viewing capability of the satellite might
make them attractive alternatives to aerial photos.

However, depending on use, aerial photography can be a very cost
effective source of data. I&M expect to use periodic aerial photography
as an archival record of status within Parks. We currently are using
aerial photographs for photointerpretation of landcover in Alaskan
Parks.

It is crucial that the appropriate remote sensing tools and resources
are applied to problems. It can be expected that vendors will promote
their particular technology and it is vital that the user understand the
strengths and weaknesses of the various technologies before contracting
for services. Remote sensing technology is constantly evolving and the
landcover program continues to explore remote sensing products and
analysis techniques to effectively generate information about resources
in Alaska's Parks.

**East Coast** (Mark Duffy)

ASIS Assateague Island

> Island wide digital aerial photography with USACE to support
> monitoring of northend restoration program: date to be determined.
>
> Airborne surveys with NASA and USGS using EAARL LIDAR, high-res
> digital aerial photography (12x12cm res), and possibly a hyperspectral
> sensor. dates and extent of coverage to be determined.

NER Coastal and Barrier Network

> Scheduled airborne surveys with NASA and USGS using EAARL LIDAR,
> high-res digital aerial photography (12x12cm res), and possibly a
> hyperspectral sensor at COLO, GEWA, THST, and SAHI. Mission will be
> flown this fall but exact dates and time tbd.
>
> possible piggy-back on this mission to include FIIS and/or GATE-saho
> unit.
>
> quick-bird imagery for FIIS has either been purchased or will be
> purchased soon: part of a veg/sav effort between URI/CBNet/FIIS. Bryan
> Milstead would have more info on this one. I\'ll be meeting with Wayne
> Wright from NASA in early September to start planning (dates,
> geographic extent, etc) for these surveys. I\'ll be able to provide
> more detail then.

**DEWA Delaware Water Gap NRA --** Craig Thompson

There are 4 main projects at this time:

1\. Monitoring hemlock forest health using LandSat TM data and change
detection techniques.

(with Rutgers University)

> 2\. Field Verification Utility for Decision Tree Classification of
> Land Cover Mapping in Support of the NPS Vegetation Mapping Program
> Using Multi-temporal LandSAT 7 Data. (with NASA).
>
> 3\. Internet-based GIS Mapping Tool for Analyzing Potential Urban
> Growth Patterns Adjoining National Park Units (with NASA, University
> of Maryland, Woods Hole, and Upper Delaware SRR).
>
> 4\. Measurement of Land Cover/Use Change Trends in the Upper Delaware
> River Basin and Projection of Urban Growth into the Future (with NASA,
> Woods Hole Research Center, University of Maryland, Sullivan
> County-NY, Delaware County--NY, Wayne County--PA, Pike County--PA, and
> the River Valley GIS Committee).
>
> These are collaboration with

**Hawaii** (Melia Lane-Kamahele):

Currently, the NPS parks in Hawaii are part of a consortium (federal,
state, local, NGO etc.) to acquire IKONOS imagery \-- the current sole
source documents are in contracting, and the intention is that the
document when approved can serve as boiler plate for all the federal
consortium participants here in Hawaii. The Hawaii acquisition is very
different from the mainland and park contracts for IKONOS because we
were able to negotiate a more-than-5-party, more-than-federal limitation
to the usual licensing agreement. Also, this process started more than 2
years ago, before other systems were in place such as Quickbird, which
has its own limitations for application here in Hawaii.

The estimated cost for acquiring the IKONOS imagery for all of the
Pacific is about \$360K under the consortium; we also have access to
Emerge imagery through NRCS and a different consortium of 27 agencies in
Hawaii also negotiated many years ago for statewide SPOT coverage at a
cost of \$2500 per agency for both pan and multi.

Hawaii and the Pacific basin parks have been very fortunate and gained
greatly from the DOI A-16 process, by partnering and leveraging our
resources early for data requests, resulting in DOQQ\'s for the state as
well as all related products. Just recently completed as part of this
process was the 1:24K hydro for the state.

Hawaii (including the NPS) has been very involved with the launch of the
National Map program here, as well as the I-Team reports and documents;
we have an active Geographic Information Coordinating Committee (GICC)
and an active GIS community here.

Other activities which we are partnering with and gaining data and
imagery include the Hawaii GAP Program (HIGAP) \-- we are utilizing
Landsat 7, but will also supplement our analyses with SPOT, IKONOS,
Emerge and other data as available (i.e. locally flown aerials and
digital work). HIGAP is also looking at more than just terrestrial \--
we also have components of marine (estuarine and deep; coral reef
program etc) as well as aquatic components (streams and watersheds), so
in many ways, our partnerships here in Hawaii are widespread. We also
look beyond ecosystems, we are dealing beyond park boundaries and in
fact, in many areas, looking collaboratively at entire islands.

We have just flown (last week) imagery for KALA (marine and terrestrial)
in conjunction with BRD (Pat Chavez, Flagstaff) \-- the data is
fantastic!!! You can contact Guy Hughes, Chief of RM at KALA for more
information.

There is so much more I could share about data collection and
collaboration here for resource mapping, vegetation and fire data
acquisition etc. Let me know if I can provide any more information.

**Soils Inventory** (Pete Biggam): The soils program is moving towards
production of predictive soils mapping and is making extensive use of
aerial photographs for this work. Some recent and current projects use
LIDAR data to construct high-resolution digital elevation models to
evaluate water flows and consequent effects on soil formation. Projects
planned for FY04 include:

-   Soil mapping at Ebby's Landing, Washington: This project will use
    LIDAR imagery acquired by Island County to support soils mapping in
    an area with little relief. LIDAR data will be used to identify
    subtle terrain feature that influence soil formation.

-   Island Royale: Soil mapping is challenging due to high vegetation
    cover. In conjunction with bathymetric surveys, LIDAR imagery will
    hopefully be collected over terrestrial areas and this will support
    soil mapping efforts.

-   North Coast and Cascades Network: Plan to acquire 1:24000 surface
    geology, and combine this with a DEM and satellite imagery to use a
    predictive approach for mapping soils in rugged, inaccessible
    terrain.

Other projects using RS data include: the Pinto Basin Project in Joshua
Tree National Monument, where TM and SPOT data were used to design soil
mapping units. These units included measures of desert tortoise habitat
suitability that supported management of this Federally Threatened
species.

Pete Biggam is Chair of the Advanced Technology Committee of the
National Cooperative Soil Survey, which is a multi-agency group that has
developed standards for soil mapping.

**Vegetation Mapping** (Mike Story): The I&M Vegetation mapping program
relies heavily on aerial photographs rather than satellite imagery due
to the need for high-resolution data. The exception is of course Alaska,
where SPOT and TM imagery is critical to mapping large areas (see text
above about the Alaska program).

**Fire program** (Nate Benson)**:** Since 2000, the National Park
Service has collaborated with USGS to map the severity of most large
wildland fires, fires greater than 300 acres, in our national parklands
with satellite imagery (Landsat TM images). Pre- and post-fire Landsat
TM images are differenced to estimate burn extent and to estimate burn
severity as indexed by the normalized burn ratio (NBR) and field
validated by the composite burn index (CBI). Immediate post-fire and
extended (generally 1-yr post-fire) assessments and associated imagery
are archived; the NPS-USGS National Burn Severity Mapping Program
provides for downloading archived imagery and associated data from:
http://edc2.usgs.gov/fsp/severity/fire_main.asp. These GIS-ready maps
are valuable because they describe the degree of environmental change
caused by fire within a burned area. Burn severity maps help fire
managers understand the effects of fire on the forest structure, fuels
and successional patterns of vegetation in the national parks. In
addition, burn severity maps can be used to help guide rehabilitation
measures by identifying burned areas vulnerable to erosion and invasion
by non-native plants. In 2003 the National Burn Severity Mapping Program
worked in about 30 parks, using on the order of 40-60 Landsat images.
Future efforts will focus on interpreting burn severity data, using the
information in fire management practices nationwide, and developing Fire
Atlases, using Landsat data from as far back as the early 1970s, that
chronicle the fire history of parks that regularly sustain large fires.

**Bureau of Land Management RS Activities**

From Pam Clemmer, BLM - National Science and Technology Center, ST-134
Bldg. 50 Main Street, Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225-0047. Ph:
303.236.0824

16 September 2003

BLM RS Activities: The BLM National Science and Technology Center, in
Denver focuses on examining types of RS data for BLM resource management
applications, which are often to map vegetation or to evaluate a
specific impact (fire, OHV use, etc.).

Recent, current, or planned studies of potential interest to I&M staff
include:

\- Change detection in Pinyon-Juniper; Southeast Utah. Examining aerial
photos from 1939-1998 and mapping extent of change distribution and
canopy cover. Contact <Dianne_Osborne@blm.gov>

\- Change Detection of Kearney Buckwheat; A Species of Special Concern;
Sand Mountain, Nevada. Kearney Buckwheat is the exclusive food source
for the Sand Mountain blue butterfly, also a species of special concern.
OHV impacts were mapped using aerial photography from 1978 and compared
to recent QuickBird imagery (.6/2.4 m resolution). Quickbird imagery and
various classification techniques will be tested to inventory and
subsequently monitor vegetation. Contact <Dianne_Osborne@blm.gov>

\- Sagebrush Mapping Using High Resolution Satellite Imagery; Pine Nut
Mountains, Western Nevada. Test the feasibility of using Quickbird
imagery to classify and refine sagebrush communities into dominant
species and percent cover. Various software programs will be evaluated
to determine which correctly classifies the image (Feature Analyst,
Ecognition, Imagine Sub-pixel classifier). This tool would provide a
means to identify and assess sage grouse habitat in support of Sage
Grouse Conservation Planning efforts. Contact <Dianne_Osborne@blm.gov>
or <Pam_Clemmer@blm.gov>

\- Monitoring Sagebrush Die-Off Due to Drought Conditions; Gunnison
Basin, Colorado. Vegetation mapping has been completed using aerial
photography. Results will be compared to classification derived from
QuickBird imagery to be acquired in summer 2003. Project supports
evaluation of potential impacts to sage grouse habitat. Contact
<Pam_Clemmer@blm.gov>

\- Multi-Scale Comprehensive Vegetation Classification; Dillon, Montana.
This project involves testing the use of different remote sensing
sensors to extract vegetation detail. Emphasis is placed on extracting
detail in the sagebrush steppe ecosystem, and invasive exotics where
possible. Contact <Dianne_Osborne@blm.gov> or <Pam_Clemmer@blm.gov>

\- Mapping Areas of Potential Cheatgrass Infestation in the Great Basin.
Mapping cheatgrass (spring green up) using AVHRR (1.1 km resolution)
imagery. Contact <Dianne_Osborne@blm.gov>

\- Change Detection of Vegetation After Prescribed Fires; Catnip
Mountain, Northwest Nevada; and Left Hand Creek, Northwest of
Thermopolis, Wyoming. What types of imagery are most efficient for
change detection and monitoring vegetation succession after fire?
Emphasis is placed on change detection of sagebrush/grassland habitat.
Project evaluates ADAR, NTM; and Probe 1, and HyMap hyper spectral
sensors. Contact <Susan_Goodman@blm.gov>

\- Using Advanced Technologies in Soils Mapping. A training course being
developed in a collaborative, multi-agency project. Pete Biggam is the
NPS collaborator. Training will be conducted using TEUI Toolkit,
developed by the USFS using ERDAS EML, as a front end to assist in
mapping soils. In addition, to the toolkit, other related tools will be
introduced including the Soil Data Viewer, 3DMapper. Contact
<Pam_Clemmer@blm.gov>

\- Band Ratio Indices for Soil Enhancement. Indices were developed that
use Landsat TM bands (2,3,5,7) imagery to assist with soils mapping.
These indices enhance soil characteristics and appear to be most
effective in arid landscapes where vegetation canopy is less of a
factor. Contact <Pam_Clemmer@blm.gov>

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

**News from: USGS Remote Sensing Notes -- September 2003**

### ISSA PROJECT SELECTS FOUR PILOT PROJECTS FOR FY'03 FUNDING

The LRSP Interdisciplinary Science Support Activities (ISSA) Pilot
Projects activity was established to encourage USGS scientists in all
four bureau disciplines who have limited experience using remotely
sensed data to give the data a try in a study of their own that might
potentially benefit from application of such data. The first four pilot
projects were selected in May following a competitive proposal process.
One project was selected from each USGS discipline from a total of 58
proposals submitted in response to the Pilot Projects RFP.

The WRD proposal selected is entitled, *"**Using Remote Sensing and
Change Detection to Locate Suspended-Sediment Monitoring Sites in Lake
Powell**"* and was submitted by Nancy Hornewer and Marilyn Flynn,
Flagstaff Science Center, Flagstaff. Their project is using historic and
recent Landsat TM and ETM+ data, as well as digital aerial photography,
to detect and map sediment plumes, sources, and sinks in Lake Powell, as
well as to map sediment transport patterns in the lake. This information
is important because of growing concern about pollution caused by
personal watercraft (PWC) on the lake and the role that sediment
particles play in the fixation and mobility of contaminants discharged
by the PWC's. The investigators are working with the National Park
Service, which must submit environmental impact statements to evaluate
mandatory regulations necessary for continued long-term PWC use within a
given park unit.

The BRD proposal selected is entitled, *"**Mapping Habitat for a
Threatened and Endangered (T&E) Species: Grizzly Bears in the Greater
Yellowstone Ecosystem**"* and was submitted by Shannon Podruzny, Chuck
Schwartz, and Lisa Landenburger, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center,
Bozeman. Their project seeks to advance existing knowledge and
understanding about grizzly bear habitat by developing a greater
Yellowstone ecosystem-wide vegetation map using Landsat ETM+, ASTER, and
other remotely sensed data. The investigators are particularly
interested in mapping the distribution of vegetal bear foods, especially
white bark pine. Successful completion of this project would provide
important benefits to various other BRD projects, as well as to the
programs of several other government agencies and private
wildlife-focused organizations.

The GD proposal selected is entitled, *"**Spectroscopy as a Tool for
Geologic Mapping at Mount St. Helens, Washington: Using Hyperspectral
Imagery to Delineate Volcanic Deposits**"* and was submitted by Joel
Robinson and Michael Clynne, Volcano Hazards Team, Menlo Park. Field
geologic mapping of volcanic deposits is currently in progress at Mount
St. Helens to add to current understanding of the volcanic stratigraphy
and to improve assessment of volcano hazards from future eruptions. The
mapping is about 50% complete, but has focused on the more accessible
western and southern flanks and apron of the volcano. This study will
utilize data acquired by the MODIS-ASTER (MASTER) airborne simulator, as
well as ASTER, TIMS, AVIRIS, and Landsat ETM+ data to create a geologic
map of the pumice plain and amphitheater crater created by the 1980
eruption of Mount St. Helens. A detailed geologic map of this terrain is
critical to a thorough volcano hazards assessment. If successful, the
methods applied in this study can be applied to other Cascade volcanoes.

The NMD proposal selected is entitled, *"**An Assessment of Remote
Sensing Capabilities to Inventory/Monitor Tamarisk**"* and was submitted
by Jennifer Stefanacci, and Stanley Wilds, Rocky Mountain Mapping
Center, Denver. Tamarisk is a highly invasive plant species that thrives
in riparian areas and has replaced native vegetation in areas throughout
the SW United States. The investigators will be working with the Bureau
of Land Management (BLM) to investigate the viability of and develop a
strategy for using remotely sensed data to detect and map tamarisk
occurrences as input to the BLM's weed control program in southern Utah.
Data from both airborne and satellite platforms will be investigated to
determine the optimal data characteristics for mapping tamarisk and for
monitoring the effectiveness of BLM mitigation efforts.

Pilot Projects are expected to be completed within one year and to
provide the ISSA Project with a short, but comprehensive, project report
that includes an assessment of the overall impact of remotely sensed
data on the project and its results. The ISSA Project expects to issue a
similar Pilot Projects RFP in FY'04.

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**USFS Remote Sensing Applications Center**

(<http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/rsac/index.html>)

(From the web site ...)

The Forest Service\'s Remote Sensing Applications Center (RSAC) is in
Salt Lake City, Utah, co-located with the agency\'s Geospatial Service
and Technology Center. Guided by national steering committees and field
sponsors, the two centers together provide national assistance to agency
field units in applying the most advanced geospatial technology toward
improved monitoring and mapping of natural resources. RSAC\'s principal
goal is to develop and implement less costly ways for the Forest Service
to obtain needed forest resource information.

Programs include:

-   [Training](http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/rsac/programs/training.html)

-   [New Technology
    Evaluation](http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/rsac/programs/newtech.html)

-   [Applications
    Development](http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/rsac/programs/appdev.html)

-   [Technical
    Support](http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/rsac/programs/techsup.html)

-   [Operational
    Support](http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/rsac/programs/opssup.html)

-   [Cooperative
    Projects](http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/rsac/programs/coop.html)

-   [Federal Programs
    Liason](http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/rsac/programs/fedprogL.html)

-   [Data
    Acquisition](http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/rsac/programs/dataacq.html)

-   [RSAC Active Fire
    Maps](http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/rsac/fire_maps.html)

Networks

  ---------------- -----------------------------------------------------------
  APHN             Appalachian Highlands Network

  ARCN             Arctic Network

  CAKN             Central Alaska Network

  CHDN             Chihuahuan Desert Network

  CUPN             Cumberland/Piedmont Network

  ERMN             Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network

  GLKN             Great Lakes Network

  GRYN             Greater Yellowstone Network

  GULN             Gulf Coast Network

  HTLN             Heartland Network

  KLMN             Klamath Network

  MEDN             Mediterranean Coast Network

  MIDN             Mid-Atlantic Network

  MOJN             Mojave Desert Network

  NCBN             Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network

  NCCN             North Coast and Cascades Network

  NCPN             Northern Colorado Plateau Network

  NCRN             National Capital Region Network

  NETN             Northeast Temperate Network

  NGPN             Northern Great Plains Network

  NSAN             Northern Semi-Arid Network

  PACN             Pacific Island Network

  ROMN             Rocky Mountain Network

  SCPN             Southern Colorado Plateau Network

  SEAN             Southeast Alaska Network

  SECN             Southeast Coast Network

  SFAN             San Francisco Bay Area Network

  SFCN             South Florida/Caribbean Network

  SIEN             Sierra Nevada Network

  SODN             Sonoran Desert Network

  SOPN             Southern Plains Network

  SWAN             Southwest Alaska Network

                   

  **Prototypes**   

  CACO             Cape Cod

  CHIS             Channel Island

  DENA             Denali

  GRSM             Great Smoky Mountains

  MACA             Mammoth Caves

  NCPN             N. Colorado Plateau Prototype

  NOCA             North Cascades

  OLYM             Olympics NP

  PRCL             Prairie Cluster

  SHEN             Shenandoah

  VIIS             Virgin Islands
  ---------------- -----------------------------------------------------------

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