Remote Sensing of Hawaiian Ecosystems

Presenter: Dr. Greg Asner, Carnegie Institution's Department of Global Ecology & Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at Stanford University

Abstract: An enormous range of climatic and soil variation occurs throughout Hawaii, providing diverse ecological settings in which to develop new remote sensing theories, methods, and applications. Given the wide ranging environmental problems facing terrestrial ecosystems in Hawaii, such as land-use change, invasive species and climate change, remote sensing has much to offer at the local and regional levels. The Carnegie Institution has developed a regional ecosystems analysis program in Hawaii to forward remote sensing research for ecosystem studies, conservation and management. Our program focuses on the use of new technologies such as field-based, airborne and space-based imaging spectroscopy and laser detection and ranging (LIDAR) to better understand ecosystem structure, biogeochemistry, and species composition across the landscape. Some recent results focused on bioclimatic determinants of ecosystem structure, as a window into potential future changes in the ecology of Hawaiian systems with climate change. Other studies have focused on the impacts of invasive species on canopy biochemistry and biogeochemical cycling. This talk will present the goals, activities and recent findings of the Carnegie program, and will highlight its ongoing collaborative efforts with State, federal, and private organizations in Hawaii.

Ticket Information
Free & Open to the Public.

Event Sponsor
Information Technology for Environmental Research area of IMUA NSF Hawai`i EPSCoR, University of Hawai`i at Hilo

More Information
Lisa Canale, 808.933.3190, canale@hawaii.edu, http://www.uhh.hawaii.edu/~sdalhelp