U.S., Canada Form Satellite Eco-Mapping Partnership
The United States and Canada have launched a high-tech satellite mapping initiative that can help land managers better monitor changes in the combined land cover of two of the world’s largest nations.
A key application in joint permafrost mapping will be assessing the impacts of climate change on human settlements, physical infrastructure, and ecosystems in both countries.
The partnership between the U.S. Geological Survey and Natural Resources Canada will produce integrated information to help natural resource managers better assess the health of landscapes, cross-border wildland fire risks, changes in biodiversity, and the effects of climate change on permafrost.
Collaborative efforts in the development of permafrost applications will focus first on the mapping of the Yukon River Basin.
The new international partnership will lead to a more comprehensive and standardized monitoring of North America’s land cover. The agreement involves a dynamic land-cover monitoring system for all of North America and the development of permafrost modeling applications.
The scientists will use infrared, radar relief and other remote sensing techniques. There are also future projects planned for longer-term collaboration on the development of radar applications.