Increasing Access to Satellite Data for Conservation

The Protected Area Archive Tool

Gary GellerJet Propulsion Laboratory

California Institute of Technology

February 2005

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Background

Observe: land cover, boundaries, threats…

Monitor change: in forest cover, land use…

Measure and map: areas and boundaries

Detect and map fires

Assess: for adaptive management

Predict: for proactive management

Communicate

How can satellite images help conservation practitioners?

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Example: Assess Encroachment

Dong Hua Sao NBCAIUCNCat VI

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Assess Encroachment

Landsat image

Village

1975

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Assess Encroachment

Landsat image

Village

1989

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Assess Encroachment

Landsat image

Village

2000

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Assess Encroachment

1 km

12 January 2002ASTER image

Zoom

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Current Situation

NASA has been collecting conservation-useful satellite data since 1972

• Traditionally

• Expensive

• Geared towards science and research

Recent massive increase in data available

Cost no longer an issue

• Loads of zero- and low-cost data available

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But There Are OBSTACLES…

Searching for and Ordering data

Using data

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Obstacles for Conservation Users

Too many sensors and products to choose from

Too many organizations offering data

Unfriendly search and order tools (EDG)

Contorted order processes (Glovis for ASTER L2)

Unfamiliar data formats (hdf)

Data complexity (multiband)

Expensive, sophisticated, and unfriendly tools (ENVI)

RS is a highly technical field

Internet access and bandwidth

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The Problem

To Summarize…

• Data access and analysis systems are for experts

Result…

• Many users are left out

• Data are underutilized

For land data

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Solutions

Two solutions are possible:

1. Training

2. Make satellite data easier to

• Obtain• Use

Protected AreaArchive

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Protected Area Archive

Creates collections of images on a particular theme

Packaged with tools to use them

Simple and intuitive

Audience: Users having no experience with RS

Requirements: No Internet or computer skills needed

Sunderbans

India and Bangladesh

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Demonstration

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Locator Map

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Collections

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Open Another Collection

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Zoom to Area of Interest

Double click to open

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Scene Displays

New scene displays

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Overlay Manager

• Click Overlay Manager

• Turn overlays on and off

• Add new overlays

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Measurement of Area and Distance

Draw a polygon using the mouse…

Get the area of the polygon

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Select Another Image Layer

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Change Analysis

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Annotate Image

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Status: Release

Version 1 completed in November

Released at IUCN World Conservation Congress

Working out plans for next release

Bombetoka Bay

Madagascar

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Status: Geographic Scope

Collections now available include

• Cambodia

• Thailand

• Uganda

• Sri Lanka

• Mekong trace

• Sunderbans

• UNESCO sites

• Birdlife International sites

New collections sometimes created on request (caveats)

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Plans: More Capabilities

More data layers (eg, MODIS)

More vector capabilities

Change analysis tools

Topographic layer, with draping capability

Mosaicking

Web-enabled

Web version

Edgemont National Park

New Zealand

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Plans: Big Picture

Formalized operations

Open source version

Collaborate with “on-the-ground” partners

Incorporate into training classes

Garamba National Park, DRC

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Formalized Operations

Permanent operational home needed

New name, broad appeal

Website for users to order collections

• Select specific ASTER images

• Select Landsat path/rows and epochs

Generate collection

Stage via ftp, or mail CD/DVD

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Open Source Version

Eliminates DOC Export constraints

Eliminates CalTech licensing constraints

Brings in existing OS capabiliites

Enlists OS community resources

Allows user community to create custom versions

Port from ESRI MapObjectsLT to OpenEV

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More

More information is available at

asterweb.jpl.nasa.gov/paa