Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “wildlife surveying”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2015

Natural Resources at Kennedy Space Center

Informative presentation on the purpose and need for an Ecological Program at the Kennedy Space Center. Includes the federal laws mandating the program followed by a description of many of the long term monitoring projects. Projects include wildlife surveying by observation as well as interactive surveys to collect basic animal data for analysis of trends in habitat use and ecosystem health. The program is designed for a broad range in audience from elementary to college level.

Ecological Program↗
NASA NTRS1975

Remote-sensing applications for Texas

The earth resources remote sensing activity of Texas and its applications are reported. A combination of digital, photographic, and traditional methods is being used to manage the water impoundments inventory, a land use survey, a wildlife habitat survey, and a coastal zone survey.

Wells, J.↗
NASA NTRS2004

NASA LCLUC Program: An Integrated Forest Monitoring System for Central Africa

Central Africa has the second largest unfragmented block of tropical rain forest in the world; it is also one of the largest carbon and biodiversity reservoirs. With nearly one-third of the forest currently allocated for logging, the region is poised to undergo extensive land-use change. Through the mapping of the forests, our Integrated Forest Monitoring System for Central Africa (INFORMS) project aims to monitor habitat alteration, support biodiversity conservation, and promote better land-use planning and forest management. Designed as an interdisciplinary project, its goal is to integrate data acquired from satellites with field observations from forest inventories, wildlife surveys, and socio-economic studies to map and monitor forest resources. This project also emphasizes on collaboration and coordination with international, regional, national, and local partners-including non-profit, governmental, and commercial sectors. This project has been focused on developing remote sensing products for the needs of forest conservation and management, insuring that research findings are incorporated in forest management plans at the national level. The societal impact of INFORMS can be also appreciated through the development of a regional remote sensing network in central Africa. With a regional office in Kinshasa, (www.OSFAC.org), the contribution to the development of forest management plans for 1.5 million hectares of forests in northern Republic of Congo (www.tt-timber.com), and the monitoring of park encroachments in the Albertine region (Uganda and DRC) (www.albertinerift.org).

Laporte, Nadine↗
NASA NTRS2014

Intelligent UAS Sense-and-Avoid Utilizing Global Constraints

Sense-and-avoid (SAA) is a critical research topic for enabling the operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in civilian airspace. SAA involves two planning related problems: 1) plan-recognition to predict the future trajectory of nearby aircraft, and 2) path planning to avoid conflicts with nearby aircraft that pose a threat. We have designed and built components of a novel intelligent sense-and-avoid (iSAA) reasoning framework that takes into account information about aircraft type, transponder code, communications, local routes, airports, airspace, terrain, and weather to more accurately predict near- and medium-term trajectories of nearby aircraft. By using this additional information both the on-board control software and the ground-based UAS operator can make more informed, intelligent decisions to effectively predict and avoid conflicts and maintain separation. While this capability benefits all categories of UASs operating under both Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and Visual Flight Rules (VFR), it is absolutely essential for allowing smaller UASs to operate VFR at low altitude in uncontrolled airspace for operations such as survey work, wildlife tracking, aerial photography, utilities inspection, crop dusting, and package delivery.

unmanned aircraft systems↗
NASA NTRS2021

NASA-NOAA Feasibility Report

The western stock of Steller sea lions and the Aleutian stock of harbor seals both experienced dramatic declines in abundance during the past few decades, particularly in the central and western Aleutian Islands. Both stocks have continued to decline in recent years, thus are a high priority for routine monitoring. NOAA’s Marine Mammal laboratory (MML) has conducted aerial surveys of marine mammals throughout coastal Alaska to monitor trends in population abundance and distribution for more than 20 years. These surveys have typically been conducted from a twinengine aircraft, such as a DHC-6 Twin Otter, operated by NOAA pilots and crewmembers. Aerial surveys in the Aleutian Islands present significant challenges and higher risks due to their remoteness, rugged terrain, and extreme weather. To evaluate the feasibility of transitioning from manned to unmanned aerial surveys in this region, thereby reducing risks to NOAA personnel and high-value aircraft, we propose to conduct test survey flights in the Near Islands of Alaska using a medium-sized, fixed-wing UAV (NASA’s SIERRA-B aircraft) with a nadir-aimed imaging payload. Survey flights are planned to be conducted during daylight hours on days with VFR conditions and less than ~20 knot winds at altitudes of 800-1200 feet. Survey imagery, including thermal video and high-resolution color photos, would be collected at known Steller sea lion and harbor seal sites along the coastlines of Shemya, Nizki, Alaid, Agattu, and Attu Islands. The planning team will request approval and support from the US Air Force to conduct this project at Eareckson Air Station (Shemya Island, AK) during the month of September 2022 when weather conditions in the western Aleutian Islands are expected to be optimal.

NOAA↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

TPSAS-NF1676L-31944-DND

The Plum Island Estuary (PIE) in Massachusetts is New England’s largest salt marsh. This dynamic ecosystem plays an important role in the surrounding communities by providing ecosystem and social services, acting as a center for education, research, and recreation. However, marshes around the world are threatened by sea level rise. As the equilibrium between sediment supply, erosion rates, and vegetation growth is unbalanced by rising waters, marshes are liable to recede, or even drown. Because sediment is so crucial, researchers use sediment budgets as a metric to assess Plum Island Estuary’s vulnerability to rising seas; however, established data collection methods are limited in scope. The project employed five years of imagery from Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) and three years of imagery from Sentinel-2 Multispectral Instrument (MSI), in conjunction with in situ data, to generate and refine a local algorithm that derives suspended sediment concentration from remote sensing reflectance. This information was applied to a flux model to analyze transport patterns and possible sediment sources, particularly the Merrimack River. The use of remote sensing techniques will provide our partners at the US Geological Survey, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Plum Island Ecosystems Long Term Ecological Research Network with higher spatial and temporal resolution data, which will allow for the development of more effective management practices.

Sydney Neugebauer↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Developing A Space-Based Solution to Increase Accessibility, Quality, and Utility of Animal Tracking Data for Research and Management: the Internet of Animals Project

Animal tracking technology has advanced dramatically over the last several decades, but researchers and wildlife managers still encounter technological roadblocks in the study of animal movement and acquisition of animal movement data. For example, we still lack technology that provides automated high-resolution data for small animals that travel long distances, which limits our ability to answer both theoretical and applied questions about these species. In response to these needs, NASA has initiated a five-year study of potential space-based solutions that could provide global low-latency tracking of small migratory animals. This study, named Internet of Animals (IOA), aims to 1) systematically assess the needs of animal movement researchers and ecological managers, 2) design a next-generation space-based animal tracking system, i.e. an ‘Internet of Animals’ or IoA, to meet those needs, and 3) developing science and technology needed to link animal tracking data to the many other dimensions of biodiversity that can now be mapped from space using remote sensing. Here, we present results from the first IOA workshop, which highlighted the diverse needs of researchers and managers working across systems and realms. We also provide opportunities for the community to engage in the future.

remote sensing↗
NASA NTRS1974

Application of remote sensing data to surveys of the Alaskan environment

Coupling of satellite data to resource management problems in Alaska is implemented through feasibility studies of applicability of Landsat data to specific environmental surveys in ecology, agriculture, hydrology, wildlife management, oceanography, geology, etc.; and using the results of these studies to extend the benefits of satellite data applications to the operational needs of mission-oriented agencies of federal, state, and regional governments, as well as private industry. Activities designed to encourage the participation of users in the Landsat program at levels most appropriate to the users' interests are described and include: observation, coordination, and information exchange; training courses and workshops; data exchange; consulting services; data processing services; user participation in University research projects; and university participation in the operational projects of user agencies. Progress in these areas is reported. The effectiveness of this broad-based approach in overcoming the initial apprehensiveness of users is demonstrated.

Belon, A. E.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Modern Exploration of the Lewis and Clark Expedition

The Lewis and Clark Geosystem is an online collection of private, state, local, and Federal data resources associated with the geography of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Data were compiled from key partners including NASA s Stennis Space Center, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the University of Montana, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, and from a collection of Lewis and Clark scholars. It combines modern views of the landscape with historical aerial photography, cartography, and other geographical data resources and historical sources, including: The Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Academy of Natural Science's Lewis and Clark Herbarium, high-resolution copies of the American Philosophical Society s primary-source Lewis and Clark Journals, The Library of Congress Lewis and Clark cartography collection, as well as artifacts from the Smithsonian Institution and other sources.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2019

2018 NISAR Applications Workshop: Wetlands; Workshop Report

Wetland ecosystems are a critical part of our natural environment, providing socioeconomic benefits to human communities and habitats to a rich diversity of plant and animal life. Socioeconomic benefits include improved water quality, flood control, foods, shoreline stabilization, groundwater recharge, and recreational opportunities. Wetlands also have a major role as carbon sinks and sources through processes that are influenced by the duration and timing of soil saturation and inundation. Thus, carbon and water cycle models must take into account wetland extent and seasonal patterns of wetland inundation. The joint NASA, US Geological Survey (USGS) and Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) workshop focused on advancing wetland applications of the spaceborne NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) mission (NISAR), a jointly developed satellite between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) expected for launch early 2022. Participants from 15 national and international organizations --including US Federal Agencies, nonprofits, academics, and the private sector-- had been identified as key-players in facilitating integration of Earth Observations into decision support workflows. Discussions were held over two and a half days to convey the knowledge and measurement needs of the wetlands community and discuss the delivery of relevant geospatial products that could be derived from NISAR data. While the community typically characterizes wetlands by their hydrological process, vegetation and soil types, a central defining characteristic is that a wetland is a land area inundated or saturated in the rootzone for at least 2 weeks of the average vegetation growing season.

FWS↗
NASA NTRS1974

Utility of ERTS for monitoring the breeding habit of migratory waterfowl

Waterfowl breeding-ground surveys conducted each year by the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife extend over a vast region of the United States and Canada. Data from these surveys are used to estimate waterfowl production by means of a mathematical model. Counts of May and July ponds are some the variables used in this model. Annual production estimates are used to predict fall flights of ducks. This information is then used for establishing waterfowl hunting regulations. Work to date indicates that satellite remote sensing techniques hold considerable promise for the accurate and rapid assessment of waterfowl breeding habitat, especially changes in pond numbers and distribution. Development of an operational system utilizing satellite sensors as a primary source of data appears to be a realistic goal for the future.

Work, E. W., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Analysis of Wading Bird use of Impounded Wetland Habitat on the Kennedy Space Center/Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, 1987-1998

This report summarizes results of the first eleven years of monthly aerial surveys of wading bird use of foraging habitats within impoundments on the Kennedy Space Center/Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Some impoundments were used much more heavily by wading birds than were others. Analysis suggests that an increase in interspersion of open water and vegetated habitats is preferred foraging habitat. Many wading bird species increased their use of vegetated habitat in Fall and Winter when impoundments were flooded. The mean number of wading birds per survey was greatest during the Pre-nesting and Nesting seasons, declined during Post-nesting season, and was lowest during Winter when water levels within impoundments were high. During these times, shallow habitat along the IRL shoreline provided alternative habitats for wading birds. Various measures of monthly precipitation and impoundment water level were well correlated with the numbers of wading birds observed. Numbers of nesting attempts was steady during the study period, with the exception of an unusually high number of attempts in 1990. White Ibis accounted for over half of all wading bird nests counted. The mean number of nests per colony decreased during the study period, and the number of individual colonies increased.

Stolen, Eric D.↗
NASA NTRS1981

State resource management and role of remote sensing

Remote sensing by satellite can provide valuable information to state officials when making decisions regarding resources management. Portions of California's investment for Prosperity program which seem likely candidates for remote sensing include: (1) surveying vegetation type, age, and density in forests and wildlife habitats; (2) controlling fires through chaparal management; (3) monitoring wetlands and measuring ocean biomass; (4) eliminating ground water overdraught; (5) locating crops in overdraught areas, assessing soil erosion and the areas of poorly drained soils and those affected by salt; (6) monitoring coastal lands and resources; (7) changes in landscapes for recreational purposes; (8) inventorying irrigated lands; (9) classifying ground cover; (10) monitoring farmland conversion; and (11) supplying data for a statewide computerized farmlands data base.

Johnson, H. D.↗
NASA NTRS2021

Perceptions of Climate Risk and Use of Climate Risk Information by Natural Resource Conservation Stakeholders Participating in ADVANCE Projects in Asia and Latin America

Integrating climate risk information into resilience-building activities in the field is important to ensure that adaptation is based on the best available science. Despite this, many challenges exist when developing, communicating, and incorporating climate risk information. There are limited resources on how stakeholders perceive risks, use risk information, and what barriers exist to limit knowledge integration. This paper seeks to define the following: 1) What do conservation stakeholders consider to be the most significant climate risks they face now and possibly in the future? 2) What have been the most significant barriers to their using climate risk information? 3) What sources and types of knowledge would be most useful for these managers to overcome these barriers? A survey was conducted among stakeholders (n = 224) associated with World Wildlife Fund projects in tropical and subtropical countries. A very high proportion of stakeholders used climate risk information and yet faced integration-related challenges, which included too much uncertainty and the lack of a relevant scale for planning. The main factors preventing the use of climate risk information in decision-making were unavailability of climate risk information, no or limited financial or human resources available to respond, lack of organizational mandate or support, and no or limited institutional incentives. Comparing perceived current and future risks revealed a decline in concern for some future climate hazards. Survey respondents identified scientific reports, climate scientists, and online sources as the most useful information sources of climate risk information, while (i) maps and illustrations; (ii) scenarios format; and (iii) data tables, graphs, and charts were identified as user-friendly formats.

Climate risk↗
NASA NTRS1988

Survey for least bell's vireo in riparian habitat on Vandenberg Air Force Base, Santa Barbara County, California

The least bell's vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) was listed in 1986 as an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Because of the possibility of the species existing on Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), this survey was conducted to determine if they exist, and if so to prepare a distribution map of the species on the base. Major riparian areas were surveyed on foot for 17 days in April, May, and July 1987. No least bell's vireo were sighted; based on past studies, it is unlikely that there is a significant population on VAFB. There are, however, at least 13 other species of special concern that inhabit VAFB riparian woodlands. Most of these species have declined along the south coast of Santa Barbara County, and many have declined in much of the southern half of California. Riparian areas on VAFB are an important environmental resource for the southern half of California; many of these areas, however, show signs of degradation.

Breininger, David R.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Improved assessment of mangrove forests in Sundarbans East Wildlife Sanctuary using WorldView 2 and TanDEM-X high resolution imagery

Recent developments of remote sensing techniques which can capture both the structure and function of the ecosystem provide a more representative view of the landscape. These unique Earth observations were used to help improve traditional forestry surveys by providing species-specific land cover classes for mangrove forests in the Sundarbans East Wildlife Sanctuary. By combining optical data from WorldView2 (WV2; 2 m pixel) and a canopy height model derived using radar data from TanDEM-X (TDX; 12 m pixel), we identified nine mangrove and five non-mangrove classes by following an Iterative Self-Organizing Data Analysis Algorithm. Three dominant mangrove species accounted for nearly 50% of the sanctuary. Heritieria fomes disproportionately covered the largest area at 43%, overturning previous field-based estimates of Excoecaria agallocha dominance. E. agallocha and Sonneratia apetala, covered 3% and 1.47% of the sanctuary, respectively. Four mixed species classes were also identified with clear vegetation zonation patterns that trended toward species homogeneity with increasing distance from shore. The overall land cover accuracy (WV2: 89.33%; WV2-TDX: 89.89%), the Kappa Coefficient (WV2:0.88; WV2-TDX: 0.89) and change statistics between WV2 and WV2-TDX landcover classifications indicate that the WV2 imagery can separate mangrove community types without structural data. The combination of the land cover classifications and the canopy height model indicated that H. fomes were not only the most dominant forest but also, on average, the tallest (12.3 m) among the other eight mangrove types. Our large-scale mapping with high resolution optical and radar platforms can capture subtle changes in mangrove vegetation and canopy structural gradients more accurately and be used to monitor biodiversity changes and Aichi Biodiversity Targets and Indicators, which would contribute to biodiversity policy updating.

Md Mizanur Rahman↗
NASA NTRS1974

Widening ERTS applications

In less than two years of operation ERTS-1 is shown to have successfully completed its experimental mission and to be delivering an ever-increasing roster of benefits. The widening ERTS applications reviewed include air quality and weather modification, aid to oil exploration, ore-deposit exploration, short-lived event observation, flood area assessment and flood-plain mapping, land and water quality assessment, soil association mapping, crop production measurements, wildlife resources, drought and desertification studies, ground-water exploration, watershed surveys, snow and ice monitoring, surface water mapping, and iceberg surveys. Future projects and developments are also briefly reviewed.

Mercanti, E. P.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Summary of 1987 and 1988 manatee aerial surveys at Kennedy Space Center

Aerial surveys of manatees conducted since 1977 at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) have provided a very useful and cost effective monitoring tool in the assessment of abundance and distribution of manatees in the northern Banana River. Data collected in the mid 1980's as part of the KSC Environmental Monitoring Program indicated that the numbers of manatees utilizing the northern Banana River had increased dramatically from earlier years and that the animals appeared to have changed their distribution patterns within the area as well (Provancha and Provancha 1988). United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Florida Department of Natural Resources (FLDNR) conducted bimonthly aerial surveys in 1986 for the entire Florida east coast. Their data clearly show that the Banana River has the highest concentration of manatees during the non-winter months when compared to all other segments of the east coast surveys (B. Wiegle/FLDNR, unpublished data). They further show that, in spring, an average of 71 percent of the manatees in Brevard county were located in the Banana River. During that period 85 percent of the animals were north of the NASA Causeway (State Road (SR) 402) in the KSC security zone. These data indicate the importance of the KSC waters to the Florida east coast manatee population. We reinitiated KSC surveys in 1987 to document distributions and numbers of manatees during the spring influx. Aerial censuses were continued throughout the year in 1988 and this report provides a summary of our findings for the two years.

Provancha, Jane A.↗