Remote Sensing
The Remote Sensing Team conducts research studies that link remote sensing data collected from airborne and satellite platforms to observable features that either alone or in combination with biophysical models yield solutions for the conservation and management of biological and ecological resources for both regional and local scales. The Team advances theories and models that use optical and radar remote sensing that provide strategic mapping and monitoring of surface hydrology, soil moisture, and vegetation type, biomass, and canopy structure. As part of model development, the Team routinely is involved in providing rapid response and long-term assessments of impacts on wetland 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. Theoretical developments are used to integrate remote sensing data collected at different spatial, spectral, and temporal scales and link the derived information to dynamic physical models to explain the distribution of landscape features. 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://profile.usgs.gov/ramseye)
Complete List of Remote Sensing Publications (PDF, 193K). We recommend using
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Research
- Remote Sensing as an Integrated Approach to Monitoring Vulnerabilities and Predicting Changes to Wetlands and Adjacent Areas
(Dr. Elijah W. Ramsey).
- Monitoring Coastal Marshes for Persistent Flooding and Salinity Stress. Co-Investigator with Dr. Maria Kalcic (Principal Investigator) on a National Aeronautics and Space Administration funded project.
- A space-based SAR and InSAR system integrated with optical image sources to provide operational monitoring of inundation, wetland assessment, and land surface subsidence in coastal Louisiana. Category 1 proposal nr. 7286 granted by the European Space Agency to receive satellite ERS and ENVISAT SAR data at cost of reproduction.
- Mapping Invasive Species and projecting Landscape Risk and Susceptibility (Dr. Elijah W. Ramsey III with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration):
(1) Satellite EO-1 Hyperion Hyperspectral and Landsat Thematic Mapper Sensors (EO-1 Verification and Validation Team Member).
(2) Mapping Chinese tallow in support of Toledo Bend Project Joint
Operations (Modified Study Plan Toledo Bend Relicensing Project FERC Project No. 2305).
- Measuring and Monitoring the Wetland Response to Changes in Coastal Hydrology and Hydraulics (Dr. Elijah W. Ramsey III):
(1) CRMS Product Developments related to Coastal Inundation Monitoring (emphasizing preparation of flood extent maps for coastal Louisiana).
- 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
(4) Vicksburg National Military Park, and
(5) Natchez Trace Parkway.
- Mapping Wetlands, Assessing Marsh Dieback, Measuring Wetland Change, and Advances in Practical Remote Sensing Techniques with Dr. Charles Bachmann, Naval Research Laboratory, Head, Coastal Science and Interpretation Section, Washington D.C. and Robert R. Christian, Distinguished Research Professor, Biology Department, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
- Characterizing the Brown Marsh Spectral Response at the Plant and Canopy Level by Using Multi-Sensor Imager Data (Dr. Elijah W. Ramsey III with Louisiana Department of Natural Resources).
- Change Detection Analysis within the Mermentau River Basin of Coastal Louisiana (Dr. Elijah W. Ramsey III with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
- 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).
- Mapping Cyclone Wind Magnitude Probabilities and Monitoring Affected Landscape by Using Spatial Models and Remote Sensing Techniques (Dr. Elijah W. Ramsey III).
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