Based on results of the Remote Sensing Initiative (Davis, et al., 2003) and the success of several automated analysis projects undertaken in FY2003, the GCMRC proposes to refocus many of its monitoring data acquisition and analysis efforts around a common theme entitled, automated monitoring technologies and applications. This approach envisions: (1) adoption of a suite of remote sensing technologies that have either been proven or are very likely to produce terrestrial and hydrographic data of sufficient accuracy to satisfy many of the scientific needs of the physical, biological and cultural resource programs, as well as information requirements of resource managers, and (2) development or adoption of digital analysis routines for automating the extraction and classification of information formatted to the monitoring needs of scientists or cooperators attached to the physical, biological and cultural resource programs and to those of resource managers. This approach is designed to supplement and enhance more traditional scientific data collection and analysis technologies, and, in some cases, supplant them. Airborne and ground-based sensors have joined the ranks of more traditional gauging stations as technologies for monitoring the environment. This approach is adaptive. It recognizes that, while all scientific data collection cannot be automated, many analysis and field-support activities can be. Where applicable, the GIS program exists to provide this support. In this vision, ‘;storage’ is that component of the triad that provides the framework for housing and accessing an expanding digital database composed of traditional and remotely sensed data together with their derived information products.
Data Acquisition (Remote Sensing) - The automated monitoring technologies and applications approach envisions implementation of many findings and remote sensing technologies recommended to the Technical Work Group in the final report from the remote sensing initiative. The suggested suite of remote sensing technologies and selected applications includes: (1) multi-spectral and panchromatic digital imagery (25 cm and 12.5 cm spatial resolutions) together with digital elevation data (1 meter spatial resolution), whose analysis was automated in 2003 to produce terrestrial vegetation and fine-grained sediment inventories, (2) very high resolution LiDAR (7 to 14 points per square meter), whose analysis may be automated to produce survey-accurate, terrestrial sand bar morphologies and vegetation canopies, and (3) hydrographic LiDAR (3 meter spatial resolution) and multi-beam sonar (up to 2 cm spatial resolution), whose analysis may be automated to produce both macro and micro-scale bathymetry and channel-bottom sediment-type classifications. The GCMRC proposes to fly these instrument suites on a biennial basis, collecting: (1) canyon-wide multi-spectral and perhaps hydrographic LiDAR data in support of macro-scale channel, vegetation and fine-grained sediment monitoring activities, and (2) very high resolution LiDAR and multi-beam sonar data in Marble Canyon in support of micro-scale sediment and vegetation morphology studies and monitoring.
Remote sensing accomplishments in FY2002-03 included acquisition of a canyon-wide set of multi-spectral digital imagery and a 1-meter digital elevation model (DEM), a successful test of very high resolution LiDAR within Marble Canyon, and the publication of results from the remote sensing initiative. Several automated products were developed from the multi-spectral imagery. These include: a canyon-wide fine-grained sediment inventory, a camping beach characteristic inventory, and the development of digital topographic cross-sections (based on the May, 2002 1-meter digital elevation model) to support hydrographic modeling. FY2004 accomplishments will include: a detailed, canyon-wide vegetation map developed from the May, 2002 multi-spectral digital imagery; acquisition of canyon-wide multi-spectral and panchromatic digital imagery (assuming available funds); and very high resolution LiDAR, hydrographic LiDAR and selected multi-beam sonar to support a final assessment of these technologies as primary monitoring technologies. These data will form the basis of detailed inventories, change analyses and technology assessments that will be produced in FY2004 and FY2005.