BLM (Arizona) Lower Sonoran F.O. Remote Sensing Project Grant

a. Background:

The CESU Lower Sonoran F.O. Remote Sensing Project will develop multi-spectral satellite image analysis and other remote sensing techniques for a variety of public land management issues in the Sonoran Desert, including the identification, measurement, and inventory of human impacts resulting from illegal immigration, drug smuggling, and recreation uses; spatial and temporal change in vegetation cover and composition; fuels analysis; atmospheric dust and pollution study; range monitoring; traffic ability; and other studies as identified. A primary task will be to assess the characteristics of commercially available satellite imagery and other remote sensing products and technology for usefulness in operational monitoring, including describing technical advantages and disadvantages, cost effectiveness, and suitability for various applications.

The project will also provide opportunities for students and / or entry-level professionals to work with experienced professional land managers and scientists to obtain experience in complex public land management issues and the use of remote sensing for issues that are important to the BLM. The project will provide background experience by which students may make long-term career goals and decisions, and will enable continuing development between the recipient and the BLM in terms of student development, recruitment, and service opportunities between the two entities.

The project will complement, and build upon, a similar project conducted by cooperative agreement with Northern Arizona University during 2010-2015 (FA # L10AC20359).

b. Objectives:

The project will develop research techniques that advance knowledge of impacts to the Sonoran Desert; provide inventory and monitoring data which can be analyzed to aid BLM management in identifying human impact use patterns and trends; and assist with resource management and planning.