From mountain peaks to microclimates, new maps bring satellite big data down to Earth
Researchers are utilizing historical satellite radar data from the 2000 space shuttle Endeavour mission to create high-resolution maps of U.S. ecological sites. By integrating this data with ground-level biological observations, scientists aim to better predict how species will adapt to changing environments.
Why it matters
This research demonstrates the value of repurposing legacy satellite data to address modern ecological and climate change challenges.
by Robin Smith, Michigan State University
edited by Sadie Harley , reviewed by Robert Egan
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
Add as preferred source In a new study, researchers provide measures of elevation and climate around 47 sites in the U.S. National Ecological Observatory Network, from Florida's Everglades to the Alaskan tundra hundreds of miles above the Arctic Circle. Credit: Kelly Kapsar, Michigan State University Zooming from her office, Michigan State University researcher Kelly Kapsar showed satellite images from across the United States. In some, different colors revealed the precise heights of the forested ridges in the Sierra Nevada or the craggy peaks of the Rockies and the valleys between them. Others showed the pine flatwoods of southern Florida or the smooth, rolling grasslands of the Kansas prairie.
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