Our Changing World: Satellite Images for Monitoring Forests (Part 2)
The nation’s state forestry organizations are among the most extensive remote sensing and GIS technology users of any agency. Many state foresters have indicated that this technology is an invaluable resource whenever they need to understand, communicate, and make effective decisions about conditions on the ground. Remote sensing technology aids foresters in the acquisition of the data that is necessary to further research, manage, and recover present and future conditions of the global forests.
Deforestation
The forests of the world are an important and crucial part of our planets ecosystem. Currently the rainforests are being depleted at alarming rates. The causes for rainforest depletion are mainly due to human activities, such as ranching, agriculture, and urban development. These areas must be monitored in order to provide current and complete information in order to better understand and protect the forests.
Landsat (15m) Satellite Images of Deforestation – Jamari River in Rondônia, Brazil
1984 – 2011
(Image Credit: USGS/NASA)
The Landsat images above show the area in 1984, shortly after construction of the hydroelectric dam began, and in 2011. The reservoir flooded the upstream forest and displaced many people. Also evident in the images is the deforestation that has affected much of the region.
Satellite images in this manner, could aid in determining the effects of forest management activities, such as timber harvesting and best management practices on soil erosion and sedimentation. It could also assist in the detection of invasive species through identification of water bodies that have clear water and high algae signatures. USGS/NASA
IKONOS (0.8m) Satellite Image Deforestation in Virunga National Parks – Rwanda and the Congo (DRC)
2007
Click on image to view in High Resolution
(Image Credit: GeoEye and Satellite Imaging Corporation)
Th IKONOS Satellite Image above was produced to support Wildlife Habitat mapping applications for the assessment, management and monitoring of the Mountain Gorilla Habitat and the land cover changes in and around the National Parks in the region.
Forest WildFires and Emergency Management
Fire and emergency applications are one of the strongest uses of GIS and remote sensing, particularly fire mapping, responding to emergency situations, hazardous fuels reduction, community assistance, firefighting, rehabilitation, and restoration. Forest fires have an important influence on the vegetation cover, animals, plants, soil, stream flow, air quality, microclimate, and even general climate. The loss of timber is obvious and so is the damage to life and property. The loss of recreation value of the forest and the destruction of wildlife habitat are also consequences of forest fires.
Researchers and scientists have long been trying to predict the behavior of a forest fire. Computer modeling has been the effort of many scientists using high resolution satellite imagery and GIS. In order to model a forest fire, the techniques for obtaining, analyzing and displaying spatial information in a timely and cost-effective manner are needed which has proven not only to be possible, but incredibly efficient and effective.
Landsat (15m) Satellite Images of Pre and Post Wildfires – Bastrop, Texas USA
August 26, 2011 – September 11, 2011
(Image Credit: USGS/NASA)
Two fires started near Bastrop State Park in south central Texas in early September 2011, near Bastrop, Texas (pop. 8,000). Bastrop is 30 miles southeast of Austin, Texas, and the fires extend into the eastern edge of the community. The Union Chapel and Bastrop fires together are known as the Bastrop County Complex Fire. The Landsat images above were acquired on August 26 before the fires began, and again on September 11, show how the fire has scorched thousands of acres.
Severe drought conditions throughout much of the summer of 2011 have sparked many wildfires throughout Texas. 2011 has been reported to be the most severe single-year drought since the 1950s and received the lowest single-year rainfall since the late 1800s. To date, more than 1,600 homes have been destroyed, making this wildfire the single most destructive in Texas history.
Landsat imagery is useful for monitoring the extent of the fires, as well as destroyed vegetation and subsequent effects to the human population. Future Landsat acquisitions will be used to monitor the recovery of the area. USGS/NASA
IKONOS (1m) Satellite Image of Post Wildfires – Bastrop, Texas USA
2011
Click on image to view in High Resolution
(Image Credit: GeoEye and Courtesy of Satellite Imaging Corporation)
