summary

Fens--a particular type of wetland--are complex ecosystems crucial for biodiversity, water regulation, and carbon sequestration, now threatened by on-going drought and an influx of non-native invasive species and a decline in native vascular and non-vascular plants.

The TWI team is developing novel feature extraction techniques to update the status and help determine the future viability of an estimated 2000 fens across the San Juan Mountains (17,000 square miles). This vast data set, derived from maps, satellite images, and wetland inventories, will be analyzed using artificial intelligence algorithms deployed on supercomputers to identify species, detect changes, and model future climate scenarios. Additionally, a cross section of fens, selected for in-depth studies in the field, will be studied using drones equipped with multispectral sensors and ground-truthing instruments. From this combination of macro and micro analysis, predictive models and maps will simulate rapid environmental changes and test intervention strategies aimed at protecting the unique biotic regime of the fens, monitoring the spread of invasive species, and offering strategies for mitigating natural and anthropogenic disturbances.