Grantee Research Project Results
1999 Progress Report: Monitoring Regional-Scale Hydrologic Processes in the South Florida Ecosystem
EPA Grant Number: R825156Title: Monitoring Regional-Scale Hydrologic Processes in the South Florida Ecosystem
Investigators: Kasischke, Eric S. , Smith, Kevin B. , Richardson, Curtis J. , Bourgeau-Chavez, Laura L. , Romanowicz, Edwin
Institution: Environmental Research Institute of Michigan , Duke University
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: October 1, 1996 through September 30, 1999
Project Period Covered by this Report: October 1, 1998 through September 30, 1999
Project Amount: $896,086
RFA: Ecological Assessment (1996) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , Aquatic Ecosystems
Objective:
The objective of this project is to advance techniques for monitoring and predicting changes in hydrologic condition of regional scale wetland ecosystems in the south Florida region. Our research is focused on further developing applications of SAR imagery by merging ERS SAR data with data from other satellite remote sensors (e.g., RADARSAT, JERS-1, or LandsatTM), GIS-based information, field data, and hydrologic models to perform hybrid analyses. These hybrid approaches will be tested to determine their usefulness in monitoring ecological processes (vegetation changes, level of inundation), impacts of hydrological management regimes, and changes in land use/land cover. Specifically, SAR data will be used to routinely map patterns of inundation and hydroperiod throughout the Everglades region. The ultimate goal of this study is to integrate continuous ground monitoring data, bimonthly ERS SAR imagery, LandsatTM, and ancillary data into hydropattern monitoring models to map longitudinal changes in wetland condition over the 3-year study period.Progress Summary:
During the first 2 years of this project, our efforts were focused on collection of satellite data and field data, development of a Geographic Information System (GIS) database in the Big Cypress/Everglades region of southern Florida, and conducting preliminary analyses and model development. Our last year of this project was focused on using the databases created to develop products including hydropattern maps, hydrologic flow models, and TM-MSS change images. Our efforts over 3 years have included:
1. Planning and implementing a ground sampling design.
2. Conducting analyses of field data, ERS SAR data, and LandsatTM data.
3. Field measurements, site characterizations (topography, biomass levels, soil characteristics, surface roughness), and downloading dataloggers.
4. Theoretical SAR modeling of our test sites using the MIMICS model (Ulaby et al. 1990).
5. Development of hydrologic flow models.
6. Several methods were evaluated for presentation of SAR-derived hydrologic change, hydroperiod, and hydropattern. These methods included creating seasonal composites of ERS SAR imagery, creating seasonal moisture indexes, flood level classification of individual dates of imagery using test site water levels (hydropattern maps), multidate principal component analyses, and image differencing. An example of a hydropattern map is presented with this report.
7. Creation of multispectral change images over three time intervals to assess loss of wildlife habitat. An example is provided with this report.
Future Activities:
- The hydrologic models are being implemented and sensitivity analyses are being conducted using ground data and ERS imagery.
- Several manuscripts are being written on the results of this project for submission to journals for publication. We are working on one paper on the hydrologic modeling, two papers on the SAR analysis and radar modeling, and one paper on the LandsatTM analysis. Titles and journals of submission will be provided with the final report.
- We plan to pursue a number of outreach activities to work with various local agencies and researchers on the application of the new methodologies developed under this grant including: (1) working with the Big Cypress National Preserve, providing results from our project to help in the wetland restoration effort; and (2) working with the Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service on monitoring panther habitat. The Fish and Wildlife Service will be visiting our office in February to see results of our Landsat and SAR work.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 10 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
hydropattern, hydrologic regime, hydrologic modeling, wetland ecosystems, overland flow, SAR, multispectral data., RFA, Geographic Area, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Ecosystem Protection, exploratory research environmental biology, State, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecological Indicators, aquatic, ecological condition, monitoring, remote sensing, wetlands, Florida Everglades, aquatic biota , biodiversity, ecosystem assessment, estuaries, satellite images, Southeastern Estuaries, regional hydrologic vulnerability, conservation, ecosystem condition, ecological assessment, estuarine ecosystems, regional scale, aquatic ecosystems, water conservation, restoration, South Florida ecosystem, FloridaProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.