Hagen, Stephen (Steve): Applied Geosolutions (Project Lead)
Barker, Steve: USDA/NRCS-Arizona (Institution Lead)
Chavez, George: USDA/NRCS-New Mexico (Institution Lead)
Heilman, Philip: USDA/Agriculture Research Service-Southwest Watershed Research Center (Institution Lead)
Qi, Jiaguo: Michigan State University (Institution Lead)
Project Funding:
2009 - 2012
NRA: 2008 NASA: Decision Support through Earth Science Research Results
Funded by NASA
Abstract:
We propose to deploy a system to directly apply observations from NASA’s MODIS sensors into the existing USDA-NRCS rangeland conservation program decision making process in Arizona and New Mexico. Specifically, we propose to the Agriculture (1.3.1) application area, where MODIS derived estimates of vegetation cover will be used to assess conservation effects and examine management alternatives in rangelands across Arizona and New Mexico. The scope of this project entails implementing our DSS in two large southwestern states, but this project will facilitate a potential national deployment.
The USDA-NRCS in Arizona and New Mexico was allocated over $50 million in 2007 under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) to help land users develop and implement conservation plans on rangelands. The goal of these programs is to promote rangeland production and environmental quality as compatible national goals and to provide environmental benefits on America’s working lands. NRCS currently lacks the tools necessary to efficiently monitor and assess the effectiveness of funded projects, and needs tools to efficiently evaluate applications for assistance based on the conditions of ranches.
As part of previously funded research, we developed Fractional Cover (TVFC) products for rangelands that are derived from MODIS reflectance data. Our team has created a prototype web-based decision support system. We propose to integrate this system into the decision-making process at USDA-NRCS and provide managers with synoptic observations over both states dating back to 2000. Conservationists will use these data to understand the effectiveness of previous projects, and to assist in the complex decision making process of where future funds will be most effectively spent.
The outcome of this project will be full web-based decision support system designed for conservationists to assess rangeland conditions with weekly information of vegetation condition information at spatial scales suitable for conservation planning.
