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Applied Landscape Ecology and Remote Sensing

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By Western Geographic Science Center May 23, 2018

We focus on landscape studies of natural and working lands, in particular coastal and inland wetlands and rangelands. We quantify ecosystem benefits, find areas vulnerable to future change, and identify potential for climate mitigation and resilience. We conduct research by scaling field measurements to the regional, state and national scale with remote sensing, geospatial analysis, and modeling. We emphasize the use of open data and open source software to aid tool development for decision makers. All projects include outreach to land managers to support conservation and restoration planning and land management.

Media
aerial image
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
AVIRIS image of Rush Ranch, Suisun Marsh, CA (Credit: Kristin Byrd, USGS. Public domain.)

Detailed webpages for research listed below are under the Related Science tab or click the underlined links. 

Coastal Wetland Blue Carbon - National remote sensing of carbon stocks for greenhouse gas inventories and local management 

 

Ecological Forecasting - Remote sensing and modeling of dynamic habitats to support short and long-term conservation planning 

 

Rangeland Ecosystem Services - Landscape-scale assessments of opportunities for and risks to ecological benefits of rangelands

Below are research projects conducted by the USGS Applied Landscape Ecology and Remote Sensing project.

link
Image: Happy Cows in Happy Flowers

Rangeland Ecosystem Services

The Rangeland Ecosystem Services research described below is conducted and managed under the USGS Applied Landscape Ecology and Remote Sensing project and partners.
By
Western Geographic Science Center
link

Rangeland Ecosystem Services

The Rangeland Ecosystem Services research described below is conducted and managed under the USGS Applied Landscape Ecology and Remote Sensing project and partners.
Learn More
link
Photo of waterbirds feeding at a flooded agricultural field.

Integrating Remote-Sensing and Ecological Forecasting into Decision-Support for Wetland Wildlife Management in the Central Valley of California

In the Central Valley of California, the few remaining wetlands plus cropland that is flooded after harvest provide critical habitat for wetland-dependent species. However future climate conditions and a growing human population will challenge how they are managed. To support coordinated conservation, wetland restoration, and climate adaptation planning, we partnered with Point Blue Conservation...
By
Western Geographic Science Center
link

Integrating Remote-Sensing and Ecological Forecasting into Decision-Support for Wetland Wildlife Management in the Central Valley of California

In the Central Valley of California, the few remaining wetlands plus cropland that is flooded after harvest provide critical habitat for wetland-dependent species. However future climate conditions and a growing human population will challenge how they are managed. To support coordinated conservation, wetland restoration, and climate adaptation planning, we partnered with Point Blue Conservation...
Learn More
link
Photo of Tidal marsh

Coastal Wetland Blue Carbon

The Coastal Wetland Blue Carbon research described below is conducted and managed under the USGS Applied Landscape Ecology and Remote Sensing project and partners.
By
Western Geographic Science Center
link

Coastal Wetland Blue Carbon

The Coastal Wetland Blue Carbon research described below is conducted and managed under the USGS Applied Landscape Ecology and Remote Sensing project and partners.
Learn More

Below are data released for research conducted by the USGS Applied Landscape Ecology and Remote Sensing project.

Tidal marsh biomass field plot and remote sensing datasets for six regions in the conterminous United States

Remote sensing based maps of tidal marshes, both of their extents and carbon stocks, have the potential to play a key role in conducting greenhouse gas inventories and implementing climate mitigation policies. Our objective was to generate a single remote sensing model of tidal marsh aboveground biomass and carbon that represents nationally diverse tidal marshes within the conterminous...
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Forecasting tidal marsh elevation and habitat change through fusion of Earth observations and a process model

Regional models of tidal marsh elevation response to sea-level rise are needed to support coastal climate change adaptation decisions, including those related to land use planning, habitat management and infrastructure design. The Marsh Equilibrium Model (MEM) is a one-dimensional mechanistic elevation model that incorporates feedbacks of organic and inorganic inputs within the tidal...
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Below are publications of research coinducted by the USGS Applied Landscape Ecology and Remote Sensing project.

A remote sensing-based model of tidal marsh aboveground carbon stocks for the conterminous United States

Remote sensing based maps of tidal marshes, both of their extents and carbon stocks, have the potential to play a key role in conducting greenhouse gas inventories and implementing climate mitigation policies. Our objective was to generate a single remote sensing model of tidal marsh aboveground biomass and carbon that represents nationally diverse tidal marshes within the conterminous...
Authors
Kristin B. Byrd, Laurel Ballanti, Nathan Thomas, Dung Nguyen, James R. Holmquist, Marc Simard, Lisamarie Windham-Myers
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Status of tidal marsh mapping for blue carbon inventories

Remote-sensing-based maps of tidal marshes, both of their extents and carbon stocks, will play a key role in conducting greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories.The U.N. Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre has produced a new Global Distribution of Salt Marsh dataset that estimates global salt marsh area at 5.5 Mha.A Tier 1–2 GHG Inventory of U.S. Coastal Wetlands has been...
Authors
Kristin B. Byrd, Chris Mcowen, Lauren Weatherdon, James Holmquist, Stephen Crooks
By
Western Geographic Science Center

A remote sensing-based model of tidal marsh aboveground carbon stocks for the conterminous United States

Remote sensing based maps of tidal marshes, both of their extents and carbon stocks, have the potential to play a key role in conducting greenhouse gas inventories and implementing climate mitigation policies. Our objective was to generate a single remote sensing model of tidal marsh aboveground biomass and carbon that represents nationally diverse tidal marshes within the conterminous...
Authors
Kristin B. Byrd, Laurel Ballanti, Nathan Thomas, Dung Nguyen, James R. Holmquist, Marc Simard, Lisamarie Windham-Myers
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Remote sensing for wetland mapping and historical change detection at the Nisqually River Delta

Coastal wetlands are important ecosystems for carbon storage and coastal resilience to climate change and sea-level rise. As such, changes in wetland habitat types can also impact ecosystem functions. Our goal was to quantify historical vegetation change within the Nisqually River watershed relevant to carbon storage, wildlife habitat, and wetland sustainability, and identify watershed...
Authors
Laurel Ballanti, Kristin B. Byrd, Isa Woo, Christopher Ellings
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Coping with historic drought in California rangelands: Developing a more effective institutional response

Drought response is widely varied depending on both the characteristics of the drought and the ability of individual ranchers to respond.Assistance from institutions during drought has not typically considered preemptive, during, and post-drought response as a strategic approach, which recognizes biophysical, sociological, and economic complexities of drought.A USDA Southwest Climate Hub...
Authors
Joel R. Brown, Pelayo Alvarez, Kristin B. Byrd, Helena Deswood, Emile Elias, Sheri Spiegal
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Adapting California’s ecosystems to a changing climate

Significant efforts are underway to translate improved understanding of how climate change is altering ecosystems into practical actions for sustaining ecosystem functions and benefits. We explore this transition in California, where adaptation and mitigation are advancing relatively rapidly, through four case studies that span large spatial domains and encompass diverse ecological...
Authors
Elizabeth Chornesky, David Ackerly, Paul Beier, Frank W. Davis, Lorraine E. Flint, Joshua J. Lawler, Peter B. Moyle, Max A. Moritz, Mary Scoonover, Kristin B. Byrd, Pelayo Alvarez, Nicole E. Heller, Elisabeth Micheli, Stuart Weiss
By
Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center

Forecasting tidal marsh elevation and habitat change through fusion of Earth observations and a process model

Reducing uncertainty in data inputs at relevant spatial scales can improve tidal marsh forecasting models, and their usefulness in coastal climate change adaptation decisions. The Marsh Equilibrium Model (MEM), a one-dimensional mechanistic elevation model, incorporates feedbacks of organic and inorganic inputs to project elevations under sea-level rise scenarios. We tested the...
Authors
Kristin B. Byrd, Lisamarie Windham-Myers, Thomas Leeuw, Bryan D. Downing, James T. Morris, Matthew C. Ferner
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Western Geographic Science Center, California Water Science Center

A hybrid model for mapping relative differences in belowground biomass and root: Shoot ratios using spectral reflectance, foliar N and plant biophysical data within coastal marsh

Broad-scale estimates of belowground biomass are needed to understand wetland resiliency and C and N cycling, but these estimates are difficult to obtain because root:shoot ratios vary considerably both within and between species. We used remotely-sensed estimates of two aboveground plant characteristics, aboveground biomass and % foliar N to explore biomass allocation in low diversity...
Authors
Jessica L. O'Connell, Kristin B. Byrd, Maggi Kelly
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Prospective HyspIRI global observations of tidal wetlands

Tidal wetlands are highly productive and act as critical habitat for a wide variety of plants, fish, shellfish, and other wildlife. These ecotones between aquatic and terrestrial environments also provide protection from storm damage, run-off filtering, and recharge of aquifers. Many wetlands along coasts have been exposed to stress-inducing alterations globally, including dredge and...
Authors
Kevin Turpie, Victor Klemas, Kristin B. Byrd, Maggi Kelly, Young-Heon Jo
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Integrated climate and land use change scenarios for California rangeland ecosystem services: wildlife habitat, soil carbon, and water supply

Context In addition to biodiversity conservation, California rangelands generate multiple ecosystem services including livestock production, drinking and irrigation water, and carbon sequestration. California rangeland ecosystems have experienced substantial conversion to residential land use and more intensive agriculture. Objectives To understand the potential impacts to rangeland...
Authors
Kristin B. Byrd, Lorraine E. Flint, Pelayo Alvarez, Frank Casey, Benjamin M. Sleeter, Christopher E. Soulard, Alan L. Flint, Terry L. Sohl
By
Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Western Geographic Science Center, Land Use Land Cover Modeling

Evaluation of sensor types and environmental controls on mapping biomass of coastal marsh emergent vegetation

There is a need to quantify large-scale plant productivity in coastal marshes to understand marsh resilience to sea level rise, to help define eligibility for carbon offset credits, and to monitor impacts from land use, eutrophication and contamination. Remote monitoring of aboveground biomass of emergent wetland vegetation will help address this need. Differences in sensor spatial...
Authors
Kristin B. Byrd, Jessica L. O'Connell, Stefania Di Tommaso, Maggi Kelly
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Remotely-sensed indicators of N-related biomass allocation in Schoenoplectus acutus

Coastal marshes depend on belowground biomass of roots and rhizomes to contribute to peat and soil organic carbon, accrete soil and alleviate flooding as sea level rises. For nutrient-limited plants, eutrophication has either reduced or stimulated belowground biomass depending on plant biomass allocation response to fertilization. Within a freshwater wetland impoundment receiving minimal...
Authors
Jessica L. O’Connell, Kristin B. Byrd, Maggi Kelly
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Below are news stories highlighting research conducted for the USGS Applied Landscape Ecology and Remote Sensing project.

link
Image: Happy Cows in Happy Flowers

Home on the California Range, Year 2100: Land Use and Climate Change Could Impact Wildlife, Water Supplies

Grassland habitats on rangelands in California’s Central Valley and surrounding foothills could decline by as much as 37 percent by 2100 due to changes in land use and climate, according to new scientific projections by the U.S. Geological Survey.
By
Communications and Publishing
Calculating Carbon: Tidal Marsh Contributions

Calculating Carbon: Tidal Marsh Contributions

Dr. Kristin Byrd, a Research Physical Scientist with the USGS Western Geographic Science Center in Menlo Park, CA presented her work on modeling the...

Read Article

Below are partners associated with this project.

California Department of Conservation

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) - California Institute of Technology

Nisqually Indian Tribe

Point Blue

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

State Fish and Wildlife Agencies

The Nature Conservancy

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

We focus on landscape studies of natural and working lands, in particular coastal and inland wetlands and rangelands. We quantify ecosystem benefits, find areas vulnerable to future change, and identify potential for climate mitigation and resilience. We conduct research by scaling field measurements to the regional, state and national scale with remote sensing, geospatial analysis, and modeling. We emphasize the use of open data and open source software to aid tool development for decision makers. All projects include outreach to land managers to support conservation and restoration planning and land management.

Media
aerial image
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
AVIRIS image of Rush Ranch, Suisun Marsh, CA (Credit: Kristin Byrd, USGS. Public domain.)

Detailed webpages for research listed below are under the Related Science tab or click the underlined links. 

Coastal Wetland Blue Carbon - National remote sensing of carbon stocks for greenhouse gas inventories and local management 

 

Ecological Forecasting - Remote sensing and modeling of dynamic habitats to support short and long-term conservation planning 

 

Rangeland Ecosystem Services - Landscape-scale assessments of opportunities for and risks to ecological benefits of rangelands

Below are research projects conducted by the USGS Applied Landscape Ecology and Remote Sensing project.

link
Image: Happy Cows in Happy Flowers

Rangeland Ecosystem Services

The Rangeland Ecosystem Services research described below is conducted and managed under the USGS Applied Landscape Ecology and Remote Sensing project and partners.
By
Western Geographic Science Center
link

Rangeland Ecosystem Services

The Rangeland Ecosystem Services research described below is conducted and managed under the USGS Applied Landscape Ecology and Remote Sensing project and partners.
Learn More
link
Photo of waterbirds feeding at a flooded agricultural field.

Integrating Remote-Sensing and Ecological Forecasting into Decision-Support for Wetland Wildlife Management in the Central Valley of California

In the Central Valley of California, the few remaining wetlands plus cropland that is flooded after harvest provide critical habitat for wetland-dependent species. However future climate conditions and a growing human population will challenge how they are managed. To support coordinated conservation, wetland restoration, and climate adaptation planning, we partnered with Point Blue Conservation...
By
Western Geographic Science Center
link

Integrating Remote-Sensing and Ecological Forecasting into Decision-Support for Wetland Wildlife Management in the Central Valley of California

In the Central Valley of California, the few remaining wetlands plus cropland that is flooded after harvest provide critical habitat for wetland-dependent species. However future climate conditions and a growing human population will challenge how they are managed. To support coordinated conservation, wetland restoration, and climate adaptation planning, we partnered with Point Blue Conservation...
Learn More
link
Photo of Tidal marsh

Coastal Wetland Blue Carbon

The Coastal Wetland Blue Carbon research described below is conducted and managed under the USGS Applied Landscape Ecology and Remote Sensing project and partners.
By
Western Geographic Science Center
link

Coastal Wetland Blue Carbon

The Coastal Wetland Blue Carbon research described below is conducted and managed under the USGS Applied Landscape Ecology and Remote Sensing project and partners.
Learn More

Below are data released for research conducted by the USGS Applied Landscape Ecology and Remote Sensing project.

Tidal marsh biomass field plot and remote sensing datasets for six regions in the conterminous United States

Remote sensing based maps of tidal marshes, both of their extents and carbon stocks, have the potential to play a key role in conducting greenhouse gas inventories and implementing climate mitigation policies. Our objective was to generate a single remote sensing model of tidal marsh aboveground biomass and carbon that represents nationally diverse tidal marshes within the conterminous...
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Forecasting tidal marsh elevation and habitat change through fusion of Earth observations and a process model

Regional models of tidal marsh elevation response to sea-level rise are needed to support coastal climate change adaptation decisions, including those related to land use planning, habitat management and infrastructure design. The Marsh Equilibrium Model (MEM) is a one-dimensional mechanistic elevation model that incorporates feedbacks of organic and inorganic inputs within the tidal...
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Below are publications of research coinducted by the USGS Applied Landscape Ecology and Remote Sensing project.

A remote sensing-based model of tidal marsh aboveground carbon stocks for the conterminous United States

Remote sensing based maps of tidal marshes, both of their extents and carbon stocks, have the potential to play a key role in conducting greenhouse gas inventories and implementing climate mitigation policies. Our objective was to generate a single remote sensing model of tidal marsh aboveground biomass and carbon that represents nationally diverse tidal marshes within the conterminous...
Authors
Kristin B. Byrd, Laurel Ballanti, Nathan Thomas, Dung Nguyen, James R. Holmquist, Marc Simard, Lisamarie Windham-Myers
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Status of tidal marsh mapping for blue carbon inventories

Remote-sensing-based maps of tidal marshes, both of their extents and carbon stocks, will play a key role in conducting greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories.The U.N. Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre has produced a new Global Distribution of Salt Marsh dataset that estimates global salt marsh area at 5.5 Mha.A Tier 1–2 GHG Inventory of U.S. Coastal Wetlands has been...
Authors
Kristin B. Byrd, Chris Mcowen, Lauren Weatherdon, James Holmquist, Stephen Crooks
By
Western Geographic Science Center

A remote sensing-based model of tidal marsh aboveground carbon stocks for the conterminous United States

Remote sensing based maps of tidal marshes, both of their extents and carbon stocks, have the potential to play a key role in conducting greenhouse gas inventories and implementing climate mitigation policies. Our objective was to generate a single remote sensing model of tidal marsh aboveground biomass and carbon that represents nationally diverse tidal marshes within the conterminous...
Authors
Kristin B. Byrd, Laurel Ballanti, Nathan Thomas, Dung Nguyen, James R. Holmquist, Marc Simard, Lisamarie Windham-Myers
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Remote sensing for wetland mapping and historical change detection at the Nisqually River Delta

Coastal wetlands are important ecosystems for carbon storage and coastal resilience to climate change and sea-level rise. As such, changes in wetland habitat types can also impact ecosystem functions. Our goal was to quantify historical vegetation change within the Nisqually River watershed relevant to carbon storage, wildlife habitat, and wetland sustainability, and identify watershed...
Authors
Laurel Ballanti, Kristin B. Byrd, Isa Woo, Christopher Ellings
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Coping with historic drought in California rangelands: Developing a more effective institutional response

Drought response is widely varied depending on both the characteristics of the drought and the ability of individual ranchers to respond.Assistance from institutions during drought has not typically considered preemptive, during, and post-drought response as a strategic approach, which recognizes biophysical, sociological, and economic complexities of drought.A USDA Southwest Climate Hub...
Authors
Joel R. Brown, Pelayo Alvarez, Kristin B. Byrd, Helena Deswood, Emile Elias, Sheri Spiegal
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Adapting California’s ecosystems to a changing climate

Significant efforts are underway to translate improved understanding of how climate change is altering ecosystems into practical actions for sustaining ecosystem functions and benefits. We explore this transition in California, where adaptation and mitigation are advancing relatively rapidly, through four case studies that span large spatial domains and encompass diverse ecological...
Authors
Elizabeth Chornesky, David Ackerly, Paul Beier, Frank W. Davis, Lorraine E. Flint, Joshua J. Lawler, Peter B. Moyle, Max A. Moritz, Mary Scoonover, Kristin B. Byrd, Pelayo Alvarez, Nicole E. Heller, Elisabeth Micheli, Stuart Weiss
By
Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center

Forecasting tidal marsh elevation and habitat change through fusion of Earth observations and a process model

Reducing uncertainty in data inputs at relevant spatial scales can improve tidal marsh forecasting models, and their usefulness in coastal climate change adaptation decisions. The Marsh Equilibrium Model (MEM), a one-dimensional mechanistic elevation model, incorporates feedbacks of organic and inorganic inputs to project elevations under sea-level rise scenarios. We tested the...
Authors
Kristin B. Byrd, Lisamarie Windham-Myers, Thomas Leeuw, Bryan D. Downing, James T. Morris, Matthew C. Ferner
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Western Geographic Science Center, California Water Science Center

A hybrid model for mapping relative differences in belowground biomass and root: Shoot ratios using spectral reflectance, foliar N and plant biophysical data within coastal marsh

Broad-scale estimates of belowground biomass are needed to understand wetland resiliency and C and N cycling, but these estimates are difficult to obtain because root:shoot ratios vary considerably both within and between species. We used remotely-sensed estimates of two aboveground plant characteristics, aboveground biomass and % foliar N to explore biomass allocation in low diversity...
Authors
Jessica L. O'Connell, Kristin B. Byrd, Maggi Kelly
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Prospective HyspIRI global observations of tidal wetlands

Tidal wetlands are highly productive and act as critical habitat for a wide variety of plants, fish, shellfish, and other wildlife. These ecotones between aquatic and terrestrial environments also provide protection from storm damage, run-off filtering, and recharge of aquifers. Many wetlands along coasts have been exposed to stress-inducing alterations globally, including dredge and...
Authors
Kevin Turpie, Victor Klemas, Kristin B. Byrd, Maggi Kelly, Young-Heon Jo
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Integrated climate and land use change scenarios for California rangeland ecosystem services: wildlife habitat, soil carbon, and water supply

Context In addition to biodiversity conservation, California rangelands generate multiple ecosystem services including livestock production, drinking and irrigation water, and carbon sequestration. California rangeland ecosystems have experienced substantial conversion to residential land use and more intensive agriculture. Objectives To understand the potential impacts to rangeland...
Authors
Kristin B. Byrd, Lorraine E. Flint, Pelayo Alvarez, Frank Casey, Benjamin M. Sleeter, Christopher E. Soulard, Alan L. Flint, Terry L. Sohl
By
Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Western Geographic Science Center, Land Use Land Cover Modeling

Evaluation of sensor types and environmental controls on mapping biomass of coastal marsh emergent vegetation

There is a need to quantify large-scale plant productivity in coastal marshes to understand marsh resilience to sea level rise, to help define eligibility for carbon offset credits, and to monitor impacts from land use, eutrophication and contamination. Remote monitoring of aboveground biomass of emergent wetland vegetation will help address this need. Differences in sensor spatial...
Authors
Kristin B. Byrd, Jessica L. O'Connell, Stefania Di Tommaso, Maggi Kelly
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Remotely-sensed indicators of N-related biomass allocation in Schoenoplectus acutus

Coastal marshes depend on belowground biomass of roots and rhizomes to contribute to peat and soil organic carbon, accrete soil and alleviate flooding as sea level rises. For nutrient-limited plants, eutrophication has either reduced or stimulated belowground biomass depending on plant biomass allocation response to fertilization. Within a freshwater wetland impoundment receiving minimal...
Authors
Jessica L. O’Connell, Kristin B. Byrd, Maggi Kelly
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Below are news stories highlighting research conducted for the USGS Applied Landscape Ecology and Remote Sensing project.

link
Image: Happy Cows in Happy Flowers

Home on the California Range, Year 2100: Land Use and Climate Change Could Impact Wildlife, Water Supplies

Grassland habitats on rangelands in California’s Central Valley and surrounding foothills could decline by as much as 37 percent by 2100 due to changes in land use and climate, according to new scientific projections by the U.S. Geological Survey.
By
Communications and Publishing
Calculating Carbon: Tidal Marsh Contributions

Calculating Carbon: Tidal Marsh Contributions

Dr. Kristin Byrd, a Research Physical Scientist with the USGS Western Geographic Science Center in Menlo Park, CA presented her work on modeling the...

Read Article

Below are partners associated with this project.

California Department of Conservation

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) - California Institute of Technology

Nisqually Indian Tribe

Point Blue

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

State Fish and Wildlife Agencies

The Nature Conservancy

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

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