Please join us on Friday, February 10 from 3:30 to 5:00 PM for the WRRC’s Annual Chocolate Fest. This year, we are thrilled to be hosting this fun event in-person at the WRRC’s offices! The agenda this year is simple: gather with friends and colleagues, enjoy chocolaty treats, and see the winning photographs from our 2022 Annual Photo Contest. In keeping with tradition, this year’s celebration will be a chocolate potluck! Start thinking about what you would like to bake, concoct, purchase, or brew, then bring your favorite divine chocolate delectation to share.
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 Arizona Time
New Techniques for Mapping planted versus fallowed croplands using MODIS data
View the Recorded Webinar Here 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
Feb 15 12:00PM
Brown Bag
WRRC Brown Bag Webinar: A Living River – The Santa Cruz River from Mexico to Marana
The Santa Cruz River has long been the backbone of the region’s natural and cultural heritage. Although the river has changed since humans first arrived in the region 12,000 years ago, the river still exists and is a “living” entity that continues to support wildlife and communities along its course. Throughout Arizona, the release of effluent maintains flows of many river reaches. The Santa Cruz River is fortunate to have three stretches with effluent flows—one near Nogales in Santa Cruz County and two near Tucson in Pima County.