Geospatial Sciences and Technology
Geospatial Sciences and Technology
The Geospatial Sciences and Technology (GST) program focuses its efforts on providing technical and data development assistance to UMESC and its program partners. The GST teams specialize in; using geospatial (location referenced) and remote sensing technology to collect, create, and analyze geospatial data; and creating decision support tools that make geospatial data and technology more accessible to resource managers and researchers.
Filter Total Items: 45
Aerial Camera System Boresight Development and Deployment
Plane-mounted aerial camera systems are used across the U.S. Department of the Interior for science, resource monitoring, emergency management, and disaster recovery, among many other applications. A critical step in deploying aerial cameras is calibrating these systems to ground control points (GCP). This allows the camera systems, when combined with photo rectification software, to precisely...
Hydroacoustic mapping for native mussel and host fish habitats using Quadrula fragosa and Ictalurus punctatus
The St. Croix National Scenic Riverway (SACN) is one of the best remaining refuges for declining populations of native unionid mussels in the United States and supports the only known self-sustaining population of the federally endangered Winged Mapleleaf ( Quadrula fragosa ) in the Upper Mississippi River basin. Mussel fauna are important to the river ecosystem, providing important ecological...
Lake Superior Beach Nourishment and Near-Shore Bathymetric Surveys of Minnesota Point at Duluth, Minnesota
The shoreline, beaches, and infrastructure in Duluth, Minnesota have been degraded along the Minnesota Point barrier island because of high water levels and heavy wave action. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is exploring the beneficial use of dredge material for beach nourishment on the Lake Superior side of the barrier island.
Kalamazoo River AOC Dam Removal Geomorphic/Habitat Assessments – Reference Reach Identification
The Kalamazoo River Area of Concern (AOC) has multiple dams in various stages of removal, at which restoration work will be completed in the coming years. Hydrogeomorphic data from relatively undisturbed river reaches are commonly used to inform the design parameters of river restoration projects. Reference reaches are selected to have similar prevailing boundary conditions as target restoration...
Hydroacoustic detection of dreissenid mussels and their habitat: an innovative way to detect dreissenid infestations and model preferred habitat for future colonization
The proposed project will explore the technology of hydroacoustics to detect dreissenid mussels and analyze habitat variables to model preferred future habitat locations to help control the spread of invasive dreissenid mussels.
Mapping 3D floodplain forest understory and density of wild rice beds of UMRS with mobile mapping system to support UMESC research in landform characteristics, hydrologic position, and associated vegetation mapping
The objectives of this project are to test new 3D mobile mapping equipment that could be used for future Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS) ecological research, specifically research in floodplain vegetation densities.
Bathymetric Surveying at Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge
The Trempealeau National Wildlife refuge (NWR) is a refuge for breeding and migratory birds. In order to better understand habitat availability and manipulate water levels, a baseline knowledge of bathymetry of the area is needed. Currently, there is no bathymetric surveys for this area specifically and there are very few shallow water surveys especially for highly vegetated wetlands. The U.S...
Developing a Pre-Event Planning Tool for Modified Unified Method Fishing Events (Web Application)
The USGS is adapting the Chinese Unified Method, a fishing harvest method that uses herding techniques and a variety of nets to drive fish and concentrate them into a concentrated area for capture, in the fight against invasive Asian carps. This “Modified Unified Method” incorporates adapted techniques and modern technology for efficient, mass removal of bigheaded carp in North American waters...
Database and web application for invasive carp catch data (Illinois River Catch Database)
Four types of invasive carp are currently found in the United States: black, grass, silver, and bighead carps. These species are fast growing, prolific feeders that out-compete native fish species and drastically alter the natural ecosystems they invade. To prevent the spread of invasive carp into the Great Lakes, the multi-agency Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee (ACRCC) implements...
Database and web application for invasive carp telemetry data (FishTracks)
Four types of invasive carp fish species, are currently found in the United States: black, grass, silver, and bighead carps. These species are fast growing, prolific feeders that out-compete native fish species and drastically alter the natural ecosystems they invade. To prevent the spread of invasive carp into the Great Lakes, the multi-agency Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee (ACRCC)...
Upper Mississippi River System Weighted Wind Fetch Analysis (1989, 2000, 2010/2011)
Wind fetch is defined as the unobstructed distance that wind can travel over water in a constant direction. Fetch is an important characteristic of open water because longer fetch can result in larger wind-generated waves. The larger waves, in turn, can increase shoreline erosion and sediment re-suspension.
Environmental DNA (eDNA) Data Management
The environmental DNA (eDNA) samples collected, processed, and sequenced by the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) and partner agencies are being archived in a cloud-based database application. Consolidating eDNA data will significantly improve researchers and managers ability to visualize, analyze, and integrate sequence data as a monitoring and early detection system for...