Social scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Fort Collins Science Center – in collaboration with the USGS National Land Imaging Program – conduct Earth observation user case studies using qualitative research methods.
Crista L Straub, PhD
Crista Straub is a Social Scientist in the National Land Imaging Program and Fort Collins Science Center.
Dr. Straub is a social scientist in the National Land Imaging Program and the Social and Economic Analysis Branch at the United States Geological Survey. Crista earned a PhD in interdisciplinary human dimensions of natural resources from the University of Maine’s Ecology & Environmental Science Program in 2012. Her current research focuses on the human dimensions of Earth observations – investigating the users, uses, and value of Earth observation data. This research includes assisting federal agencies with the economic valuation of nonmarketed resources including satellite imagery. Her research methods comprise primary mixed methods data collection using such tools as focus groups, socioeconomic surveys, in-depth interviews, participant observation, case studies, and social network analysis. Crista recently started a new Earth observation user study with SilvaCarbon – investigating gender barriers with forest carbon monitoring. She is also a member of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Working Group – Capacity Development. Crista’s research interests also include environmental behaviors, attitudes, social capital, and community resilience across landscapes using social psychology, communication, and health theories.
Science and Products
The value of scientific information — An overview
Value of information and decision pathways: Concepts and case studies
Value of information: Exploring behavioral and social factors
Landsat data ecosystem case study: Actor perceptions of the use and value of landsat
Economic valuation of landsat imagery
Agriculture from 'Landsat Imagery: A Unique Resource'
Technology from 'Landsat Imagery: A Unique Resource'
Water from 'Landsat Imagery: A Unique Resource'
Humanitarianism from 'Landsat Imagery: A Unique Resource'
Environment from 'Landsat Imagery: A Unique Resource'
Forestry from 'Landsat Imagery: A Unique Resource'
Human Dimensions of Resource Management
Users, Uses, and Value of Landsat Imagery
HDgov: Multi-agency Website for Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
Lek Disturbance Buffer Analysis data, Western Colorado, Derived from Gunnison Sage Grouse Location Data 2010 - 2014
Social scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Fort Collins Science Center – in collaboration with the USGS National Land Imaging Program – conduct Earth observation user case studies using qualitative research methods.
Science and Products
- Publications
The value of scientific information — An overview
IntroductionThe U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) provides reliable science, data, information, and models (hereafter collectively referred to as “information”) to describe and understand the Earth. This information is used to minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect quality of life. USGS science informsAuthorsEmily J. Pindilli, Scott J. Chiavacci, Crista L. StraubValue of information and decision pathways: Concepts and case studies
Information used in decision making arises from the structuring of observations and data. The collection, dissemination, and use of information has monetary and non-monetary costs (e.g., competition for attention) and necessitates trade-offs. Understanding the benefits of having information (i.e., the value of information, VOI), including resulting societal outcomes, is useful to information produAuthorsPierre D. Glynn, Charles Rhodes, Scott J. Chiavacci, Jennifer Helgeson, Carl D. Shapiro, Crista L. StraubValue of information: Exploring behavioral and social factors
There is growing interest within and beyond the economics community in assessing the value of information (VOI) used in decision making. VOI assessments often do not consider the complex behavioral and social factors that affect the perception, valuation, and use of information by individuals and groups. Additionally, VOI assessments frequently do not examine the full suite of interactions and outAuthorsPierre D. Glynn, Scott J. Chiavacci, Charles Rhodes, Jennifer Helgeson, Carl D. Shapiro, Crista L. StraubLandsat data ecosystem case study: Actor perceptions of the use and value of landsat
It is well-known that Earth observation (EO) data plays a critical role in scientific understanding about the global environment. There is also growing support for the use of EO data to provide context-specific insights, with significant implications for their use in decision support systems. Technological development over recent years, including cloud computing infrastructure, machine learning teAuthorsEdmund B. Molder, Sarah Ferer Schenkein, Abby Elizabeth McConnell, Karl K Benedict, Crista L. StraubEconomic valuation of landsat imagery
Landsat satellites have been operating since 1972, providing a continuous global record of the Earth’s land surface. The imagery is currently available at no cost through the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). A previous USGS study estimated that Landsat imagery provided users an annual benefit of $2.19 billion in 2011, with U.S. users accounting for $1.79 billion of those benefits. That study, publisAuthorsCrista L. Straub, Stephen R. Koontz, John B. Loomis - Science
Agriculture from 'Landsat Imagery: A Unique Resource'
Landsat satellites provide high-quality, multi-spectral imagery of the surface of the Earth. These moderate-resolution, remotely sensed images are not just pictures, but contain many layers of data collected at different points along the visible and invisible light spectrum.Technology from 'Landsat Imagery: A Unique Resource'
Landsat satellites provide high-quality, multi-spectral imagery of the surface of the Earth. These moderate-resolution, remotely sensed images are not just pictures, but contain many layers of data collected at different points along the visible and invisible light spectrum.Water from 'Landsat Imagery: A Unique Resource'
Landsat satellites provide high-quality, multi-spectral imagery of the surface of the Earth. These moderate-resolution, remotely sensed images are not just pictures, but contain many layers of data collected at different points along the visible and invisible light spectrum.Humanitarianism from 'Landsat Imagery: A Unique Resource'
Landsat satellites provide high-quality, multi-spectral imagery of the surface of the Earth. These moderate-resolution, remotely sensed images are not just pictures, but contain many layers of data collected at different points along the visible and invisible light spectrum.Environment from 'Landsat Imagery: A Unique Resource'
Landsat satellites provide high-quality, multi-spectral imagery of the surface of the Earth. These moderate-resolution, remotely sensed images are not just pictures, but contain many layers of data collected at different points along the visible and invisible light spectrum.Forestry from 'Landsat Imagery: A Unique Resource'
Landsat satellites provide high-quality, multi-spectral imagery of the surface of the Earth. These moderate-resolution, remotely sensed images are not just pictures, but contain many layers of data collected at different points along the visible and invisible light spectrum.Human Dimensions of Resource Management
Human dimensions in the context of natural resource management refers to understanding attitudes, preferences, and behaviors of American citizens in order to improve conservation and management of public lands and waters. Human Dimensions at the FORT also includes understanding the users and applications of data and technology in the context of natural resource management.Users, Uses, and Value of Landsat Imagery
Since 1972, Landsat satellites have been orbiting the Earth and capturing snapshots of our planet’s ever-changing surface.HDgov: Multi-agency Website for Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
HDgov is an interactive and mobile-responsive online portal to interagency, academic, and non-government resources focused on the human dimensions of natural resource management. The web portal provides easy access to tools, publications, data, and methods that help ensure that the people side of natural resources is considered throughout the entire natural resource management process. The... - Data
Lek Disturbance Buffer Analysis data, Western Colorado, Derived from Gunnison Sage Grouse Location Data 2010 - 2014
This data release consists of three files (Crawford_and_WGB_Location_Data_S1.csv, Lek_Dist_S2.csv, and Home_Range_Area_S3.csv). The first data set represents specifics about each GPS location representing temporal and spatial relationships used in our analysis including the Month, day and year and local time each location was collected along with distance between locations, elevation in meters, d - Multimedia
Earth Observation User Case Study: Power of the Pixel - 1972 to 2021Earth Observation User Case Study: Power of the Pixel - 1972 to 2021Earth Observation User Case Study: Power of the Pixel - 1972 to 2021
Social scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Fort Collins Science Center – in collaboration with the USGS National Land Imaging Program – conduct Earth observation user case studies using qualitative research methods.
Social scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Fort Collins Science Center – in collaboration with the USGS National Land Imaging Program – conduct Earth observation user case studies using qualitative research methods.
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