Air Quality Management - Although air quality and visibility management practices have improved significantly in the last 30 years, millions of people are still exposed to air pollution levels that exceed air quality standards. Numerous studies have shown significant effects of air pollution on human health, agriculture, ecosystems, and physical infrastructure. Earth science-based solutions are needed to support decision making related to the development of policies and practices associated with air quality standards and to evaluate emission control strategies to achieve the standards. Measurements of air pollutant constituents include those identified by the US Environmental Protection Agency and related tropospheric constituents measured by NASA Earth observing satellites. Models of air quality, photochemistry, and long-range transport utilize these measurements to set boundary conditions and initial conditions. This application supports partnering agencies and organizations in forecasting air quality with increasing accuracy and longer lead times. Solutions for air quality applications impact decision support systems developed for public health, community growth, agricultural competitiveness, disaster management, and homeland security.
[keywords: Air Pollution](Added: 5-May-2003 Hits: 490)
[Spider Link]
Coastal Management - The US has approximately 95,000 miles of coastline. The coastal zone provides resources for human and natural populations, unique ecosystems, and a range of economic activities. Currently, more than half the US human population lives in coastal counties. The carrying capacity of the coastal zone, effects from human impacts, alternations of food webs, and the mitigation of natural and anthropogenic hazards are of vital importance to the nation. Several interagency programs are developing operational observing systems to identify and monitor changes and potential threats within the coastal zone. Earth science-based solutions to this application involve the use of NASA’s measurements, scientific knowledge, data assimilation techniques, and modeling into public and private decision tools to support coastal management, especially issues concerning harmful algal blooms, hypoxia, and coastal inundation. Measurements and information products include temperature, salinity, phytoplankton, hydrology, shoreline changes, bathymetry, and soil moisture. Assessments and predictive capability are needed to predict onset of events that may significantly effect human health, critical wetlands and ecosystems, and economic development.
[keywords: emperature, salinity, phytoplankton, hydrology, shoreline changes, bathymetry, soil moisture](Added: 5-May-2003 Hits: 455)
[Spider Link]
Invasive Species - Invasive species is one of the major environmental issues of this century. The economic cost to the US of invasive species is at least $137B per year. Invasive species threaten endangered species and/or are a cause of the endangerment. Invasive species are defined as non-native species whose introduction is likely to cause harm to the economy, environment or human health. Non-indigenous invasive species include: 1) diseases such as malaria and West Nile Fever that affect public health; 2) agricultural pathogens; 3) plant and animal species that compete with native species and/or have significant negative economic impact. The number of invasive species entering the US per year is in the thousands.
[keywords: agricultural pathogens, diseases](Added: 5-May-2003 Hits: 463)
[Spider Link]
Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group: EOS Fire Science Projects - The Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group is a lab pioneering new approaches for addressing regional
ecological problems. The mission of NTSG is: "To develop capabilities to quantitatively describe the structure and function of ecosystems, from regional
to global scales, using emerging technologies in satellites, geographic information systems, computer
simulation and visualization, and biophysical theory."
[keywords: EOS, wildfires, images, NTSG](Added: 22-Jun-1999 Hits: 1219)
[Spider Link]
Satellite Fire Potential Index - An accurate means of estimating the potential for forest fire outbreaks would be a great boon to forestry management. NASA
sponsored researchers at the University of Montana have developed such a means; using satellite data, they have invented a fire
potential index.
[keywords: NDVI, MODIS, fire, wildfires](Added: 22-Jun-1999 Hits: 1172)
[Spider Link]
Water Management - Water availability, quality and conservation are issues in every region of the country. Monitoring water quality and identifying the location and magnitude of existing and potential pollution sources and impacts are important activities to ensure adequate supply of this natural resource. Both surface and ground water are of importance. Surface water is both flowing water in streams and rivers; and impounded water in natural lakes and man-made reservoirs. Watershed management is important in land use changes that affect pervious and impervious surfaces. 1) In surface water the Total Maximum Daily Loads that are influenced by surface run off is highly variable with water flow rates. Pollution from point sources has been well identified and is relatively well characterized. Non-point source pollution locations, intermittent flow and the relation to the variability in stream flow rates are less well understood. 2) For groundwater the issue is aquifer recharge in its location, recharge rate and the potential for leeching surface contaminants. Weather cycles and climate changes can also contribute to the quality and availability of water. Improvements in water quality monitoring and locating pollution sources are needed. Decision support systems for water management will impact multiple agencies including EPA, USDA, USGS and other national applications.
[keywords: water quality monitoring, pollution](Added: 5-May-2003 Hits: 478)
[Spider Link]
