Geographic Science at the USGS Alaska Science Center, involves investigations into the use of remote sensing and GIS technologies for characterizing terrestrial ecosystems and land processes in the boreal and arctic regions of the U.S. Many of these projects directly support the U.S. Geological Survey Global Change Research Program, an operational component of the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP). The research activities described in this page relate primarily to the USGS theme of Land Surface Characterization and Land Remote Sensing.
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![Image representing the Alaska Geographic Data Clearinghouse. Image links to http://agdc.usgs.gov/.](images/agdc_tn4.jpg) |
Coordination of geospatial data activities and data sharing among the Federal, state, Native, local, commercial, and non-governmental (NGO) member agencies. *BLM, USFWS
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![Image representing Alaska High-Resolution Orthoimagery and Elevation Mapping Projects. Image links to Alaska Orthoimagery and Elevation Mapping Status site.](images/DEMSDOQQs_tn.jpg) |
The following web pages provide brief summary information in the form of metadata for a number of different types of geospatial data available for Alaska. Data are not accessible from this site at the present time but the general locations and types of data are provided along with primary contact information for the different datasets. *Alaska Geographic Data Committee (AGDC) Members
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![Image showing lake change in Alaska. Image links to more information about lake change in Alaska.](images/img_0123_tn.jpg) |
An assessment of the extent and degree of lake change across the Alaskan landscape. *USFWS, SUNY
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![Image showing changes in coastal erosion rate on Alaska's North Slope. Image links to more information about coastal erosion on Alaska’s North Slope.](images/Change_in_rates_2_tn.jpg) |
Coastal erosion studies along the North Slope of Alaska are being conducted to assess the rates and consequences of shoreline change to local historic sites, current structures, and wildlife habitat. *BLM, USFWS
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![Map showing landscape effects of fire frequency and severity on boreal Alaskan landscapes. Image links to Forest Health Monitoring Clearinghouse.](images/fire_history_tn.gif) |
This study will conduct an assessment of fire size, frequency, and severity in Alaska using circa 1970-2006 Landsat MSS, TM, and ETM+ satellite data. *BLM, USFWS, USFS
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![Satellite image of burn area. Image links to Monitoring Post-Fire Successional Patterns in Interior Alaska](images/477_smtn.jpg) |
Fire regime characteristics in the Alaskan boreal forest and the subsequent impact on successional trajectories are monitored using a combination of remotely sensed and in situ data. *NASA
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![Image showing land cover status and trends for Cook Inlet Region of Alaska. Image links to more information about land cover status and trends for Cook Inlet Region of Alaska.](images/basemap_tn.jpg) |
An analysis of randomly sampled areas to assess the rates, causes, and consequences of land cover and land use change in the Cook Inlet Region of Alaska. *USFWS, USFS
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![Image representing the National Land Cover Database. Image links to more information about the National Land Cover Database.](images/alaska_nlcd_cropped_tn.jpg) |
A circa 2001 Landsat land cover and associated geospatial database for the entire state of Alaska. *BLM, EPA, NASA, NOAA, NPS, NRCS, USFWS, USFS
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![Image showing radar remote sensing on Alaska's North Slope. Image links to additional information about radar remote sensing in Alaska.](images/r20060513.mli_cropped_flipped_tn.jpg) |
Analysis of satellite radar imagery to monitor surface conditions on the Alaskan North Slope. *BLM, USFWS
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![IKONOS imagery, IKONOS-derived shrub canopy density, and preliminary coarse resolution shrub canopy density estimates derived from Landsat and MISR.](images/results_comparison_tn2.jpg) |
The recent completion of the National Land Cover Database product in Alaska allows for a valuable first look at the distribution of broad vegetation types across the state.
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![Picture looking down into volcano. Image links to additional information about volcanic lake drainage events.](images/volcano.jpg) |
Modeling the evolution of volcanically derived acidic flood water and gas to nearby environments. *AVO
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![People at a symposium.](images/conferences_tn.jpg) |
International Conference website dealing with remote sensing applications in the Arctic and Antarctic polar environments.
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![Image representing past projects. Image links to Geographic Science past projects site.](images/ak_1895_tn.jpg) |
A number of local, state, and international projects have been worked on by geography scientists at the Alaska Science Center. *BLM, NPS, USFWS, USFS, University of Alaska
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