Geographic Science
ABOUT THE ALASKA SCIENCE CENTER
SCIENCE OFFICES
CONFERENCES
USGS ALASKA DATA RESOURCES
OTHER ALASKA AREA SCIENCE OFFICES
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Geographic Science of Alaska
Welcome to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Web page for Geographic Science of Alaska. 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 showing lakes. Image links to more information about Cold Regions Lake and Landscape Research Group.](images/cold_regions_tn.jpg) |
The Cold Regions Lake and Landscape Research Group at the Alaska Science Center focuses on the study of the Arctic and Subarctic landscape, with an emphasis on Alaska.
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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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![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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![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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![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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* Indicates USGS Collaborator
Note: Some of the pictures represent actual products; others have been added for interest and only to draw your attention to the text. |
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