ForWarn II

Satellite-Based Change Recognition and Tracking

Insects

Monitoring the state of Rhode Island's forests

Wed, 08/10/2016 - 16:35 -- stevenorman
Gypsy Moth defoliation affected a large part of Rhode Island in 2016

Remote sensing technologies provide an increasingly efficient way to monitor large tracts of forest canopy conditions in near-real-time and seasonally. Observational systems, such as ForWarn's MODIS-based product line, provide a continuous weekly stream of observational data that can be readily processed in ways that are useful for summary reports on changing forest conditions. Remote sensing approaches to regional monitoring are particularly powerful when they use consistent measures, sophisticated baselines for defining "normal", and cross jurisdictional boundaries.

Tracking Gypsy Moth emergence and severity with magnitude and duration

Wed, 07/27/2016 - 11:48 -- stevenorman
Gypsy Moth defoliation was extensive in 2015 in northeastern Pennsylvania

Remote sensing is adept at identifying and qualifying many forest disturbances, but there remains a substantial need to further quantify actual impacts in many cases. Traditionally, vegetation change-detection approaches, such as that used by ForWarn, identify and measure disturbance severity as the magnitude of change of some measure of reflected light between two dates or periods. ForWarn tracks the percent change in NDVI relative the prior year or years, with this index falling or rising as foliage cover shifts.

Gypsy Moth and Southern Pine Beetle Defoliation in Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Long Island, NY

Mon, 07/11/2016 - 10:07 -- wchristie

ForWarn has detected anomalies in the Connetquot River State Park Preserve and the surrounding area in Long Island, NY from June 8 to July 12, 2016. Gypsy Moths and Southern Pine Beetles have historical association with this data and the likely cause of this event.

Drought in Sequoia National Forest, CA

Mon, 06/06/2016 - 08:57 -- wchristie

ForWarn has identified several potential threats to the Sequoia National Forest, California in May, 2016. Potential drought-induced delay in spring greennup created elevation banding within the forest. There is historical decline in vegetation greenness due to the western pine beetle causing tree mortality as well as tree vulnerability to disease during this time of year.

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