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RangeView - A New Web Based Tool for Providing Remote Sensing Products and Data to Natural Resource Managers in the Western States

Dr. Stuart E. Marsh, Professor & Chair Arid Lands Resource Sciences , Professor Geography & Regional Development, Associate Director Arizona Remote Sensing Center, Office of Arid Lands Studies, 1955 E 6th St, Tucson AZ 85719, TEL: 520-621-8574, FAX: 520-621-3816, EMAIL: smarsh@ag.arizona.edu

Barron J. Orr, Ann Maree White, Wim Van Leeuwen, Wolfgang Grunberg, Charles F. Hutchinson, L. Baker, Stefanie Hermann, Mohamud Farah, Choy Huang, Gwen Oldham,, & Cindy Wallace, Arizona Remote Sensing Center, Office of Arid Lands Studes, 1955 E 6th St, Tucson AZ 85719

Barbara Hutchinson & Anne Thwaits, Office of Arid Lands Studies - ALIC, University of Arizona,1955 E 6th St, Tucson AZ 85719-5224, TEL: 520-621-8578, FAX: 520-621-3816

Larry Howery & George Ruyle, Rangeland & Forest Research Program, School of Renewable Natural Resources, Biological Sciences East 302, University of Arizona, Tucson AZ 85721, TEL: 520-621-1384, FAX: 520-621-8801

Paul Krausman & Andrea Heydlauff, Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences, Renewable Natural Resources, University of Arizona, Tucson AZ 85719

Abstract

New web based resources that permit fast and easy access to geospatial data have been developed by components of the University of Arizona's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences through the NASA-Raytheon Synergy initiative (http://rangeview.arizona.edu/). These interactive tools were designed with end-user input and provide assistance in understanding vegetation dynamics across large areas and over time. The website provides the capability to create animations of multi-temporal satellite imagery (AVHRR and MODIS) over a twelve-year time period and compare greenness measures to the long-term average or between specific years. In addition, the site provides digital maps and higher spatial resolution data (e.g. Landsat TM) of the southwest through both an Internet map server and an image archive (http://aria.cals.arizona.edu/). These tools have been designed to complement traditional rangeland management methods such as field-based inventory and monitoring techniques. The Website also provides a tutorial to aid new users in understanding and interpreting geospatial information.