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Hydrospheric and Biospheric Sciences Laboratory (614)

Hydrospheric and Biospheric Sciences Laboratory (614)

Current Code 614.4 Projects

AERONET
http://aeronet.gsfc.nasa.gov/

The AERONET (AErosol RObotic NETwork) program is an inclusive federation of ground-based remote sensing aerosol networks established by AERONET and PHOTONS and greatly expanded by AEROCAN and other agency, institute, and university partners. The goal is to assess aerosol optical properties and validate satellite retrievals of aerosol optical properties.

Calibration Facility
http://cf.gsfc.nasa.gov/

The GSFC Code 614.4 Calibration Facility (CF) maintains instruments and NIST-traceable calibrated sources to calibrate, monitor, and assess the performance of satellite-, aircraft-, and ground-based remote sensing instrumentation. CF instruments and sources span the spectrum from UV through Visible and into IR.

EOS
http://eospso.gsfc.nasa.gov

The Earth Observing System (EOS) is the centerpiece of NASA's Earth Science Enterprise (ESE). It consists of a science component and a data system supporting a coordinated series of polar-orbiting and low inclination satellites for long-term global observations of the land surface, biosphere, solid Earth, atmosphere, and oceans. By enabling improved understanding of the Earth as an integrated system, the EOS program has benefits for us all. The EOS Project Science Office (EOSPSO) is committed to helping bring program information and resources to program scientists and the general public alike

EO-1
http://eo1.gsfc.nasa.gov/

The Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) mission, as part of the New Millennium Program (NMP), developed and validated a number of instrument and spacecraft bus breakthrough technologies designed to enable the development of future earth imaging observatories that will have a significant increase in performance while also having reduced cost and mass.

FED
http://fedwww.gsfc.nasa.gov

The Forest Ecosystem Dynamics (FED) Project at GSFC is concerned with modeling and monitoring ecosystem processes and patterns in response to natural and anthropogenic effects. The project uses coupled ecosystem models and remote sensing models and measurements to predict and observe ecosystem change. An important consideration in the northern/boreal forest ecosystems that we are addressing is the influence of spatial heterogeneity on process scaling and the expression of that heterogeneity in remote sensing imagery. The overall objective of the FED Project is to use models of forest dynamics, soil processes and canopy energetics to understand how ecosystem response to change affects patterns and processes in northern and boreal forests and to assess the implications for global change.

GIMMS
http://gimms.gsfc.nasa.gov

The primary focus of the Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping System (GIMMS) group is to provide scientific Earth systems research, through the use of satellite remote sensing. However, a secondary role is to support governmental projects, government-sponsored agencies and non-profit organizations. Much of our research activities revolve around the use of timeseries analysis tools in the exploration of the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) archive, which spans over 18 years (1982 - present). From this data we have been able to find correlations between sensor derived information (primarily the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index- NDVI) and desertification, Rift Valley Fever Outbreaks, variations in the length of the vegetational growing cycle in higher Northern Latitudes.

Landsat 7
http://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/

Landsat 7 is a U.S. satellite used to acquire remotely sensed images of the Earth's land surface and surrounding coastal regions. This site features Landsat 7 data characteristics, science and education applications, technical documentation, program policy, and history. It is maintained by the Landsat 7 Project Science Office at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD. Images acquired by Landsat satellites were used to produce the first composite multi-spectral mosaic of the 48 contiguous United States. Landsat imagery has provided critically important information for monitoring agricultural productivity, water resources, urban growth, deforestation, and natural change due to fires and insect infestations. The data have also been used successfully for mineral exploration, to measure forest cover at the state level, and to monitor strip mining and strip mine reclamation.

GLOBE
http://www.globe.gov/

The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) is a worldwide hands-on, primary and secondary school-based education and science program. GLOBE improves student understanding of science because it involves them in performing real science - taking measurements, analyzing data, and participating in research in collaboration with scientists.

LBA-ECO
http://www.lbaeco.org/lbaeco/

LBA-ECO is a component of The Large-Scale Biosphere-Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia (LBA). Led by Brazil, LBA is the largest cooperative international scientific project ever to study the interaction between the Amazon Forest and the regional and global atmospheres.

MODIS
http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/

MODIS (or Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) is the key instrument aboard the Terra (EOS AM-1) satellite. Terra MODIS is viewing the entire Earth's surface every 1 to 2 days, acquiring data in 36 spectral bands, or groups of wavelengths (see MODIS Technical Specifications). These data, along with data from a second MODIS (which is being developed for the Aqua satellite), will improve our understanding of global dynamics and processes occurring on the land, in the oceans, and in the lower atmosphere. MODIS is playing a vital role in the development of validated, global, interactive Earth system models able to predict global change accurately enough to assist policy makers in making sound decisions concerning the protection of our environment.

SMP
http://fedwww.gsfc.nasa.gov/SMP/SMP_site2/index.html

The purpose of the Siberian Mapping Project (SMP) is to improve forest cover maps and produce aboveground biomass maps of the Siberian boreal forest. More specifically, the project is aimed at improving forest disturbance detection methods, studying the tundra-taiga ecotone, differentiating between natural and human-caused disturbance mechanism and mapping boreal forest structure using Earth Observing System (EOS) satellite data.

TERRA
http://terra.nasa.gov/

Terra is a multi-national, multi-disciplinary mission involving partnerships with the aerospace agencies of Canada and Japan. Managed by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, the mission also receives key contributions from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Langley Research Center. Terra is an important part of NASA’s Science Mission, helping us better understand and protect our home planet.

Goddard Signature