USGS National Wetlands Research Center: SAB Remote Sensing

Remote Sensing

The Remote Sensing Team conducts research studies about linking remote sensing data collected from airborne and satellite platforms to observable features that either alone or in combination with physical and biophysical models yield solutions for the conservation and management of biological and ecological resources for both regional and local scales. The Team is advancing theories and models that use remote sensing to map and monitor surface hydrology, soil moisture, and vegetation type, biomass, and structure. Development of theories and models to integrate remote sensing data collected at different spatial, spectral, and temporal scales and linking the derived information to dynamic physical models to explain the distribution of landscape features is also part of the Team's activities. As part of model development, the Team routinely is involved in detecting, mapping, and monitoring impacts on wetlands and adjacent uplands due to natural causes such as storms, floods, drought, fires, herbivory, dieback, and due to human induced activities such as logging, development, toxic spills, and the intrusion of invasive species. To support the calibration and verification of remote sensing mapping and monitoring exercises and model development, the Team develops and implements techniques and protocols for gathering field data. (Associated publications can be found at http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/about/sab/ramsey.htm)

Complete List of Remote Sensing Publications (PDF, 359K). We recommend using Adobe Reader to view this document.

Research

Mapping Cyclone Wind Magnitude Probabilities and Monitoring Affected Landscape by Using Spatial Models and Remote Sensing Techniques (Dr. Elijah W. Ramsey III)
Measuring and Monitoring the Wetland Response to Changes in Coastal Hydrology and Water Quality as a Function of Sea-Level Rise (Dr. Elijah W. Ramsey III)
Remote Sensing as an Integrated Approach to Monitoring Vulnerabilities and Predicting Changes to Wetlands and Adjacent Areas (Dr. Elijah W. Ramsey)
Landcover Classification Following the National Vegetation Classification System with the National Park Service (Dr. Elijah W. Ramsey III):
   (1) Padre Island National Seashore
   (2) Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
   (3) Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site and Surrounding Areas
Change Detection Analysis within the Mermentau River Basin of Coastal Louisiana (Dr. Elijah W. Ramsey III with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
Integrating Hyperspectral and Landsat Thematic Mapper Data for Mapping the Invasive Species Chinese Tallow (Dr. Elijah W. Ramsey III with National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
Characterizing the Brown Marsh Spectral Response at the Plant and Canopy Level by Using Multi-Sensor Imagery and Aerial Photography Data (Dr. Elijah W. Ramsey III with Louisiana Department of Natural Resources)
Development of a 1998 Landcover/Land Coastal Louisiana Database (Dr. Elijah W. Ramsey III with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
Assessing Changes in Landcover Classifications Using Coastal Change Analysis Program's Protocols within Atchafalaya and Sabine River Basins of Coastal Louisiana (Dr. Elijah W. Ramsey III with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
Rapid Assessment of Vegetation Type and Status with Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Technologies (Dr. Elijah W. Ramsey III)

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