Wetland Conservation Using Remote Sensing
What is Remote Sensing?
Remote sensing (also known as aerial imagery) is a way of obtaining physical information about an area from distances further away such as satellites or aircrafts, and in an ocean environment sonar systems. Remote sensing works to collect data by energy detection to determine topography and 3D images of the earth's surface. There are many different types of remote sensing currently including LiDAR and SAR. Some popular examples that remote sensing takes part in include Google Earth and ArcGis.
Remote sensing has become widely used in many applications and has a variety of useful applications in terrestrial and marine environments.
Here is a Podcast that explains GIS, Geospatial, Remote Sensing, Earth Observation and Digital geography and current projects.
Sample Podcast Episodes to Learn More About Different Types of Remote Sensing:
Introduction to Synthetic-aperture Radar (SAR)
Why are wetlands important?
Wetlands are vital in supporting many species of plants and wildlife through food sources, habitat, migration and breeding grounds. There are also many functions of wetlands that assist in water filtration, flood and erosion protection, recreation, and aesthetic appreciation (EPA, n.d.). These wetlands are observed all over the United States in coastal, river, and freshwater environments.
Wetland declines have been observed since the 1700’s, and it is estimated that about 85% of wetlands in the United States have been lost. The loss of these lands have been caused by growing agricultural land, logging, filling for urban development, and pollution.
Without wetlands many species would reach extinction, and services provided to humans would be gone.
Story Map on Wetland Conservation
This Story Map goes more in depth about wetland conservation and current restoration projects within the United States.
Current and Future uses for Remote Sensing in Wetland Conservation
Specifically for wetland conservation, remote sensing is used to show changes in land use over time, assess nearby water bodies, determine range of wetlands, and show impacts of disturbances such as oil spills, natural disasters, and human disturbances.
These current uses help in habitat restoration efforts, determination of habitat availability for wildlife, and mitigation efforts for corporation projects and land use.
Some helpful ways that aerial imagery is used for wetlands today include: Detecting and monitoring wetland changes and land use over time, conducting national surveys, determining biological extent of wetlands for FWS, habitat mapping, projects for corporations, EPA evaluations, and overall knowledge of our wetlands.
There are always limitations for technology in conservation. Some current limitations for remote sensing in wetland conservation include: Inability to monitor/map certain wetland types (sea grasses, submerged reefs, submerged aquatic vegetation), and detection of immediate changes.
Quiz
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Collaborator - EPA
I spoke with Paul, an Environmental Engineer with the EPA, about remote sensing and how it is used within his career. He stated that he primarily relies on aerial imagery to evaluate project locations in the absence of on-site visits, which can be especially helpful in a virtual world. Since he uses remote sensing regularly, he had some thoughts about some of the positives and negatives. The positive side of remote sensing can be seen as quick access and screening in addition to cost savings and associated administrative burdens, while some negatives include limitations associated with accuracy of information versus actual site conditions. Remote sensing can already be used in many ways throughout the EPA, but for wetlands, he believes the benefits of remote sensing could additionally be used to help evaluate wetland mitigation success especially in regard to improvements in hydrology and vegetation.
Many professionals that work with remote sensing have an opinion on how it can be used in the workplace. Speaking with Paul gave insights into real, everyday applications of remote sensing, while staying honest about limitations and possible future expansions.
Current Remote Sensing Project Examples
References
Dahl, Thomas E. Remote Sensing as a Tool for Monitoring Wetland Habitat Cha. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Documents/Remote-Sensing-as-a-Tool-for-Monitoring-Wetland-Habitat-Change.pdf. Accessed 2022.
EPA. “Why are Wetlands Important? | US EPA.” US Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/why-are-wetlands-important. Accessed 20 April 2022.
Guo, Meng. “A Review of Wetland Remote Sensing - PMC.” NCBI, 5 April 2017, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5422050/. Accessed 20 April 2022.
State of Hawai'i. Hawaii's Wetlands. Department of Land and Natural Resources, 2009, https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/wildlife/files/2020/08/WetlandBrochure.pdf. Accessed 2022.
U.S. Geological Survey. What is remote sensing and what is it used for? U.S. Department of the Interior, https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-remote-sensing-and-what-it-used. Accessed 2022.