Effective monitoring and management of critically important and biodiverse ecosystems requires a comprehensive suite of data and analysis tools. The use of NASA Earth Observations (EO), in particular the combination of multispectral and hyperspectral optical imagery, thermal infrared data, and laser altimeter (LiDAR) data, can provide an increased understanding of ecosystem function. This training series will first highlight the use of hyperspectral Visible to Shortwave Infrared (VSWIR) imaging spectroscopy data, for example from AVIRIS-NG and PRISM instruments, for measuring and monitoring terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity (e.g., mapping plant or phytoplankton functional types). Next, the series will focus on using thermal and LiDAR data for characterizing the structure and function of ecosystems using airborne campaigns including the Hyperspectral Thermal Emission Spectrometer (HyTES) and NASA’s Land, Vegetation, and Ice Sensor (LVIS). This training will also prepare participants for the use of data from upcoming NASA satellite missions and airborne campaigns such as the much-anticipated Surface Biology and Geology (SBG) mission and the NASA Biodiversity field campaign in the Greater Cape Floristic Region of South Africa (BioSCape).
Relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals:
• Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
• Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
• Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
Four-part webinar series, 90 minutes each (60-minute presentation, 30-minute Q&A)
Time: 11:00-12:30 EDT (UTC-4)