Utilizing archival remotely sensed data in support of wetland resource management

The authors present a prototype system for the monitoring and management of wetland ecosystems, developed with support from NASA/EPSCOR and the Department of Defense (DOD) Programming Environment & Training (PET) program. Data utilized included airborne digital camera imagery, in combination with analysis of soil, water and vegetation samples collected at an array of wetland sites surrounding New Orleans, Louisiana. The elements of the prototype system include archival remotely sensed data analysis, integration of laboratory findings, change detection, alternative future scenario generation and decision support. Of particular interest to the project are biogenic disturbances and anthropogenic contaminants within the wetland study areas. It was determined that the combination of remotely sensed data and the chemical analysis of samples collected in situ was superior to utilizing either data source independently, when monitoring shallow coastal estuaries.