Aedes aegypti is an invasive mosquito that has become established throughout the urban landscapes in Arizona and Sonora, Mexico. A native of the tropics, the urban landscape facilitates its survival in the arid desert region. We conducted field collections and analyzed mosquito surveillance data to better understand the primary anthropogenic drivers of its abundance in southern Arizona and northern Mexico.
New Techniques for Mapping planted versus fallowed croplands using MODIS data
Cindy Wallace, Research Geographer, USGS Western Geographic Science Center
04/26/2018 - 12:00pm to 1:15pm
An important metric to monitor for optimizing water use in agricultural areas is the amount of cropland left fallowed, or unplanted. Fallowed croplands are difficult to model because they have many expressions; for example, they can be managed and remain free of vegetation or be abandoned and become weedy if the climate for that season permits. Western Geographic Science Center researchers used 250 m, 8-day composite Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data to develop an algorithm that can routinely map cropland status (planted or fallowed) with over 75% user’s and producer’s accuracies. The technique compares the current greenness of a cultivated pixel to its historical greenness and to the greenness of all cultivated pixels within a defined spatial neighborhood, and is therefore transportable across space and through time. The research is part of DOI’s WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow) Program that is working to achieve a sustainable water strategy to meet the Nation’s water needs. Timely and accurate knowledge of the extent of fallowing can provide decision makers with insights and knowledge to mitigate the impacts of drought and provide a scientific basis for effective management response. The results are published in GIScience & Remote Sensing. Contact: Cynthia SA Wallace
Cynthia Wallace is a Research Geographer with the USGS Western Geographic Science Center who conducts interdisciplinary studies into areas of concern for natural resource management, such as invasive species, environmental change, water and food security, natural hazards and sustainability. Her research uses satellite imagery, spatial analysis and geographic information system (GIS) technologies to map natural phenomena and characterize the complex spatial and temporal variability of landscapes. She earned a PhD in Geography and Regional Development here at the University of Arizona, with a BS (Geology and Math) from the University of Minnesota- Duluth and an MS (Geology) from the University of Wisconsin - Madison.
Upcoming Events
Apr 8 12:00PM
Brown Bag
Human-environment dynamics in the Sonoran Desert and Ae. aegypti, the vector of dengue, Zika and chikungunya
Brown Bag Webinar - Student Research on Water Resource Science Monitoring and Methods
Presentations: Monitoring Tamarix defoliation and mortality from D. carinulata attacks using satellite imagery in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA; Isotopes, geochemistry, citizen science and local partnerships as tools to build upon a fractured understanding of the hydrology of the Patagonia Mountains, and Solar nanofiltration for off-grid water purification in Navajo Nation.
This Brown Bag will feature presentations by students who received research grants in 2019 through the WRRC from the Water Resources Research Act, Section 104(b) grant program.