2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) 1)Using field data collected from aerial photographs of catfish ponds and pond samples to develop algorithms for quantification of cyanobacteria. 2)Validate model with field data collected during the second year. The algorithms will be validated. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Research by the cooperator has resulted in the ability to estimate algal biomass from aerial photographs when high suspended solids are present. The ability to recognize cyanobacterial blooms would be useful in managing pond water quality. Cooperator will use Mississippi catfish pond data collected during 2003 to develop an optimized cyanobacterial detection model in year 1. In year 2, the model will be verified using 2004 pond data. 3.Progress Report This report serves to document research conducted under Specific Cooperative Agreement between ARS and the University of Nebraska. Additional details can be found in the report for the in-house project 6402-13320-003-00D "Optimizing Catfish/Water Quality Interactions to Increase Catfish Production." The purpose of this agreement is to develop remote sensing models specific for Case 2 waters. A model developed for algal biomass was tuned to work within catfish production systems. The tuned model provided a model that was 80% accurate, and over 25% better predictor of biomass than previous models. Current efforts involve modeling phycocyanin concentrations to develop a model for aquaculture ponds. Ground truth data have been provided the collaborator for use in model development. A second year’s data collection will be used to test model fit. The ADODR monitors this project through telephone calls and e-mails to the collaborator.