Citation:

Schaeffer, B., K. Loftin, R. Stumpf, AND J. Werdell. Agencies Collaborate, Develop a Cyanobacteria Assessment Network. EOS, Transactions, American Geophysical Union. American Geophysical Union, Washington, DC, 96:1-9, (2015).

Impact/Purpose:

Published in EOS, Transactions American Geophysical Union.

Description:

This collaborative effort integrates the efforts of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to provide an approach for mainstreaming satellite ocean color capabilities into U.S. fresh and brackish water quality management decisions. The overarching project goal is to support the environmental management and public use of U.S. lakes, reservoirs, and estuaries by providing the capability to detect and quantify cyanobacteria blooms using satellite data records. Satellite remote sensing tools may enable policy makers and environmental managers to assess the sustainability of watershed ecosystems, and the services they provide, under current and future land use practices. Satellite technology allows for the development of cyanobacteria early-warning indicators at the local scale with continuous, synoptic national coverage. The project is structured within a sustainability framework for a more holistic approach including environmental, human health, and economic considerations. The four federal agencies embrace research on sustainability, as recommended by the recent National Research Council (NRC) report ‘Sustainability for the Nation’, by supporting interdisciplinary research focused on connections among environmental, economic and social problems (NRC 2013).

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