Landsat’s Role in Managing Forests
People and economies around the world rely on forests for timber, carbon storage, flood control, biological diversity, recreation, and more. Forest managers face many challenges. In the last few years, forest fires have become more intense and more frequent; North American forests have experienced widespread infestations by pests such as the pine bark beetle; and tropical deforestation continues. Our changing climate adds complexity to government and commercial decisions about how to manage, protect, and sustain our forest resources. Landsat satellites provide key data for forest monitoring and management across the globe. Landsat gives us consistent views of the health, composition, and extent of forest ecosystems as they change over time. Curtis Woodcock, Professor, Boston University and specialist in remote sensing, has said, “I would argue that the Landsat data archive may be the most valuable environmental data record we have.” Designed, built, and launched by NASA, Landsat satellites have recorded global forest conditions every year since the 1970’s, and they have observed all U.S. forests once a season throughout those years. The U.S. Geological Survey provides this valuable data to the public at no cost. Landsat observations will continue into the future with Landsat 8.
Destruction of Atlantic Rainforest Tied to Local Temperature Increases
Considered one of the world’s richest and most endangered forests, the Atlantic rainforest occupies 15% of Brazil’s landmass in an area that is home to 72% of the population.
Fire & Water: How Wildfires Can Impact Drinking Water
Fires in forested watersheds that support drinking water supplies can introduce contaminants that overwhelm current treatment capabilities. Earth observation data are helping.
Neotropical Cloud Forests to Lose What Most Defines Them: Clouds
If greenhouse gas emissions continue increasing as they have been, 90% of Western Hemisphere cloud forests would be affected as early as 2060.
Getting to Know the Dhofar Cloud Forest
Learn more about this rather unusual seasonal and semi-arid cloud forest.
Monitoring Forest Health Amid Oil and Gas Extraction
Following changes in long-term forest health around oil and gas wells in the Pennsylvania State Forest.
Poster Featuring Landsat-based Research Wins 2018 NRCan Map Contest
Access to image data collected by the Landsat series of satellites has improved Canada’s ability to observe, track and study forest disturbances.