Progress 04/01/22 to 03/31/23
Outputs Target Audience:The target audience reached by the project efforts during this reporting period consists of: 1) Graduate student(s) in Dryland Ecology and Rangeland Management 2) Native American undergraduate/communitycollege students in Pre-Engineering and Geospatial Information Technology Changes/Problems:The primary obstacle during the reporting period was unexpected difficulties in arranging inter-agency agreement to enable participation of topical expert Barry Middleton of the USGS Western Geographic Science Center, as planned for the 2022-2023 project year. We are now optimistic we can succeed in arranging this in early 2023. We are therefore requesting a 1-year no-cost extension for 2023-2024. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Students at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute were engaged in the project through hands-on development work for the field-portable multispectral imaging system.Their activities provided training and experience in software development and computer-assisted design and manufacturing of system components. The project supported their efforts through stipends. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We are requesting a 1-year no-cost extension for 2023-2024to complete the project under existing funding. Our plan includesthe following priorities: 1) Implement collaboration with USGS researcher Barry Middleton at the Western Geographic Science Center. As a topical expert, his participation (as Co-PI on the original, funded project proposal and work plan) wasa core element of the project. Unexpected bureacratic obstacles between USGS and BIE-SIPI precluded implementation and resulted in his withdrawal from the project. Recent progress in establishig a formal USGS-BIE Memorandum of Understanding provides encouragment that we can now succeed in arranging his participation in early 2023. 2)Our training plans focus on engaging SIPI students in project-related learning activities. These activities include 1) participation in fieldwork to characterize seasonal phenology of grass and shrub vegetation in our study area by collecting near-surface multispectral images and hyperspectral reflectance measurements, 2) student-focused presentations or seminars by project team members to inform them of the underlying sciece as well as related career opportunities. To support Barry Middleton's research efforts on the project, we plan to reallocate a portion of the unobligated funds to a cooperative agreementwith the USGS Western Geographic Science Center. T The timeline of activities during our requested no-cost extension period (4/1/2022-3/21/2023) is as follows: March-June, 2023 Arrange and implement subaward to USGS with NIFA approval Conduct field tests of the SIPI multispectral imaging system (SIPI team) Data preparation for regional scale analysis (SIPI and USGS researcher) Apr-July, 2022 Organize 2022 field surveys Regional scale analysis, Phase 1 May-Oct 2022 Conduct field surveys Student field training Regional scale analysis, Phase 2 Oct 2022-Mar 2023 Regional scale analysis, Phase 3, including synthesis of local/regional results Workshop(s) with Tribal and other stakeholders Final reporting and publication submissions
Impacts What was accomplished under these goals?
Application of the remote sensing methodology at the local/regional spatial scale was evaluated at the Jornada Experimental Range in southern New Mexico. The analysis identified significant issues that were not explored in the original, prior research project, however theresults provided encouraging evidence that the methodology can be successfully applied across a broader range ofSouthwest bioclimate zones.This componenent of the research was undertaken by Taylor Hansen at New Mexico State Unviersity as a project-funded research assistant under the guidance of Co-PI Lara Prihodko.
Publications
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Progress 04/01/19 to 03/31/23
Outputs Target Audience:The target audience reached by the project during the full performance period consists of: 1) Graduate student(s) in Dryland Ecology and Rangeland Management at New Mexico State University, and2) Native American undergraduate/communitycollege students in Pre-Engineering and Geospatial Information Technology at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute. Changes/Problems:A major problem confronted by the research were the unanticipatedchallenges faced by SIPI and USGS in realizinga cooperative agreement to enable project support by a USGS researcher.A critical element of the work plan described in the original proposal was full-time research support to be provided by USGS Geographer Mr. Barry Middleton. Mr. Middleton possesses unique knowledge and experience on the research topic, gained through prior collaboration with the Project Director during their joint tenure at USGS. The work plan was predicated on executionof aCooperative Agreementbetween SIPI and USGS. The purpose of the agreement was to arrange an interbureau detail of Mr. Middleton from USGS to SIPI that wouldenable him to undertake project research and student mentoring at SIPI. Although this arrangement was pre-approved in principle by leadership at both USGS and SIPI, unexpected complexities associated with BIE and USGS policy impeded efforts to realize it. Despite sustained efforts, the USGS-SIPI collaboration could not be implemented; the project work plan and productivity consequently suffered. Nevertheless, the project made substantial, noteworthy accomplishments in support of the research objectives that render it, in balance, a success. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project provided direct support for: 1) the planning, execution and successful completion of a Master's Thesis and MS Degree by NMSU student Taylor Hansen. 2) experiential learning in remote sensing instrument development for agricultural field applications by at least 8 SIPI undergraduate (Year 1 and 2) students. The project also supporting professional development by the Project Director, SIPI faculty member Dr. Dennis Dye through participation and presentations at relevant conferences and workshops. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The project results have been disseminated to communities of interest through presentations at major conferences and workshops concerned with Native American agriculature (FALCON), ecosystem monitoring and data systems (NEON), and grassland ecology What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts What was accomplished under these goals?
OBJECTIVE 1: Develop and test a methodological foundation for an observation-based spatial data and information system that would support improved reangeland management in the Southwestern United States. Accomplishments: Major accomplishments were achieved throughoriginal research performed by NMSU Master's student, Taylor Hansen, under supervision of project Co-PIs, Drs. Lara Prihodko (NMSU) and Dennis Dye (SIPI). The researchtested the ability of the normalized difference phenometric index (NDPI) to capture the fraction of grass and shrub cover at the Jornada Experimental Range in southwestern New Mexico and examined the ability of the NDPI to represent the spatial variability of precipitation impacts on grass productivity. MODIS/Terra surface reflectance 8-day imagery with a spatial resolution of 250m was used to test the ability of NDPI to separate grasses and shrubs at the Jornada. The NDPI was calculated over 16 years, from 2005-2020, on Google Earth Engine. NDPI = (VIp2-VIp1)/(VIp2+VIp1) where VI is the MSAVI2 Vegetation Index and p1 and p2 refer to distinct phenological periods for grasses (dormancy and maximum greenness). The results of the 16-year NDPI indicate that the novel index effectively discerned between shrub coverage and grass coverage across space and time. The research achieved the significant conclusion that NDPI is an efficient tool for rangeland management that reinforces expectations that the satellite-based methodology can be highly effective in isolating and monitor grass productivity and rangeland conditions in the Southwest. OBJECTIVE 2: Enhance the degree and certificate programs in Geospatial Information Technology (GIT), Environmental Science and Natural Resource Management at the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI) by engaging students in project activities and training opportunities that a) develop their knowledge, skills and experience in environmental remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), field methods, digital image processing, data analysis, and rangeland ecology, and b) enhance their preparedness for success in baccalaureate programs and competitiveness for quality jobs in natural resource applications of geospatial information technology. Accomplishments: The project was successful in providing significant opportunities for SIPI students to engage in experiential learning in environmental remote sensing, principally through grant-funded internship activities. These activities enhanced the educational experience of SIPI students majoring in Geospatial Information Technology and Pre-Engineering. A noteworthy achievement was thedevelopment of the grant-sponsored Field-Portable Multispectral Imaging System
Publications
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Hansen, T.M., 2022. Satellite Estimates of Grass Productivity in a Heterogenous Southwestern Rangeland (MS Thesis, New Mexico State University).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Hansen, T., Prihodko, L., Dye, D., Hanan, N., Ji, W., and Anchang, J., 2022. Satellite estimates of grass productivity in a heterogeneous Southwestern Rangeland, Society for Range Management, 75th SRM Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Feb. 6-10.
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Progress 04/01/21 to 03/31/22
Outputs Target Audience:Efforts during this reporting period to reach our target audiences were constrained by a gradual transition in late 2021 from severe COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions toward quasi-normal operations. The significant change was partial re-opening of the SIPI campus to classroom-based courses in October, 2021. At the time of this reporting, we are preparing to reinitiate workplan activitiesthat involvedirect interaction with SIPI students, external collaborators, and stakeholders. We are also planning to conduct essential field work that has been disallowed in accordance with pandemic-related travel restrictions. We plan for these to be implemented and operational in calendar year 2022, within the performance period of our requestedno-cost extension. Changes/Problems:The primary challenges to progress in this reporting period were 1) institutional restrictions at BIE-SIPI during the COVID-19 pandemic that prohibited official travel to conduct planned fieldwork, and 2) unexpected delays in developingSIPI's custom, portable, multispectral imaging systemfor remote sensing of vegetation and phenology. With the easing of travel restrictions in late2021, we plan to initiate fieldwork within the period of our no-cost extension for calendar year 2022. Recent progress in the software development for the imaging system suggests it can be ready for deployment in our fieldwork in Spring 2022. In addition to our request for a no-cost extension of grant funding for 2022, we are requesting permission to restructure our budget for senior personnel.We seek to make project funds available to allow a USGS-based researchscientist to support the project on a part-time basis. The additional research support will enable us to make rapid progress on the regional-scale analysis, student training, and complete our overall project objectives. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?NMSU graduate research assistant Taylor Hanson presented her project-funded research at the 2021 Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America. The abstract is below. Satellite estimates of grass productivity in a shrubby Southwestern Rangeland Taylor Hansen, Dennis Dye, Niall Hanan, Lara Prihodko Background/Questions/Methods: Drylands cover approximately 40% of the Earth's land surface but there are relatively few remotely sensed vegetation indices that are tailored to the challenges that come with observing arid and semi-arid rangelands from space. Low and heterogeneous vegetation cover,exposed soils and mix of woody and herbaceous cover present problems for discerning forage distribution and abundance. The novel vegetation index, Normalized Differential Phenometric Index (NDPI), was developed to overcome some of these challenges by taking advantage of the different phenology types typical in dryland landscapes while also minimizing the effects of soils. Shrubs and grasses in particular have different phenology and react to climate drivers differently. Here we test the ability of the NDPI to capture the fraction of grass and shrub cover at the Jornada Experimental Range in southwestern New Mexico and examine the ability of the NDPI to represent the spatial variability of precipitation impacts on grass productivity. MODIS imagery with a spatial resolution of 500m was used to test the ability of NDPI to separate grass and shrub features at the Jornada. We calculated NDPI over 15 years, from 2005-2020, on Google Earth Engine. NDPI = (VIp2-VIp1)/(VIp2+VIp1) where VI is the MSAVI2 Vegetation Index and p1 and p2 refer to distinct phenological periods for grasses (dormancy and maximum greenness). Results/Conclusions: The spatial coverage of shrubs and grasses estimated from NDPI were compared to an existing high resolution shrub map. After validating the approach for separating grasses and shrubs on the landscape, the spatial patterns of grass productivity estimated with NDPI were evaluated against the spatial variability of precipitation over the same time period.Early results suggest that NDPI is effective at discriminating grasses from shrub features within the dryland landscape of the Jornada. NDPI was also able to capture considerable variability in the grass component greenness across the landscape. When evaluated with respect to locations that are known productive grasslands, NDPI can be also be used to estimate grass productivity. Results show NDPI's performance at estimating the spatial variability of grass productivity in dryland landscapes such as the Jornada. NDPI was originally developed to assist rangeland managers in predicting forage availability and to plan usage of the landscape. This index may also be useful for researchers who are studying vegetation community dynamics in arid and semi-arid landscapes. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?As we transition out of COVID-19 restrictions, we will reinitiate our workplan acitivities for training, professional development and dissemination of results. Our training plans focus on engaging SIPI students in project-related learning activities. These activities include 1) participation in fieldwork to characterize seasonal phenology of grass and shrub vegetation in our study area by collecting near-surface multispectral images and hyperspectral reflectance measurements, 2) student-focused presentations or seminars by project team members to inform them of the underlying sciece as well as related career opportunities, and 3) an opportunity to participate in a summer field course at NMSU on grassland ecology. In January, 2022, we plan to submit for NIFA approval a revised budget. The proposed modifications will reallocate a portion of the unobligated funds to support a subaward (or NIFA cooperative agreement) with the USGS Western Geographic Science Center. The purpose is to support participation by a USGS research scientist who has prior knowledge and experience with the research topic and thereby facilitate rapid progress and success during our final year. The timeline of activities during our requested no-cost extension period (4/1/2022-3/21/2023) is as follows: Jan-Mar 2022 Finalize local-scale analysis (NMSU team) Conduct field tests of the SIPI multispectral imaging system (SIPI team) Planning and preparation for SIPI student workshop (SIPI and NMSU) Seek NIFA approval of budget modification for subaward to USGS (details forthcoming) Arrange and implement subaward to USGS with NIFA approval Data preparation for regional scale analysis (SIPI and USGS researcher) Apr-May 2022 Report/publish local-scale analysis, including M.S. thesis by grant-funded NMSU student (Taylor Hanson) Organize 2022 field surveys (SIPI, NMSU, and USGS researcher) Regional scale analysis, Phase 1 (SIPI and USGS researcher) May-Oct 2022 Conduct field surveys (SIPI, NMSU, and USGS researcher) Student field training (SIPI, NMSU, and USGS researcher) Regional scale analysis, Phase 2 (SIPI and USGS researcher) Oct 2022-Mar 2023 Regional scale analysis, Phase 3, including synthesis of local/regional results (SIPI, NMSU and USGS researcher) Workshop(s) with Tribal and other stakeholders (SIPI, NMSU and USGS researcher) Final reporting and publication submissions (SIPI)
Impacts What was accomplished under these goals?
Progress during this reporting period is primarily associated with satellite and climate observations, data analysis and modeling applications. Graduate research assistant Anderson (NMSU team) made substantial progress in processing and initial analysis of the NDPI for a study area at theJornada Agricultural Research Station and Long Term Ecological Research station. This analysis involved AVHRR satellite data and PRISM climate data and generated positive results that are consisitent and prior research that suggests the NDPI can provide a metric of the perennial grass abundance and condition in the semiarid Southwest. This local/regional analysis is continuing and will be completed in Spring 2022. These resultswill be detailed in a subsequent progress report, conference presentations, and journal publications.
Publications
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Progress 04/01/20 to 03/31/21
Outputs Target Audience:Efforts during this reporting period to reach our target audiences were derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. SIPI, federal and state restrictions precluded our workplan activities that involveddirect interaction with SIPI students, external collaborators, and stakeholders. We anticipate resuming these activities either as originally planned or with appropriate modifications in 2021. Changes/Problems:The major changes are: (1) Co-PD Barry Middleton (USGS) was compelled to withdraw from the project.His withdrawal was necessitated by failure of USGS and SIPI administrationsto arrange the interagency detail that would enable him to participate in the project at SIPI. The Project Director, Dennis Dye, has assumed Middleton's principal project duties. )2) We intend to request a no-cost extension beyond the scheduled project end-date to enable us to achieve the project objectives as the COVID-19 pandemic recedes. The major problems are: (1) Restrictions on travel and in-person interactions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the reportin period have impeded progress on field data acquisition. Efforts were shifted to activities lab-based activities, particuarly computer-based tasks for satellite and climate data processing, analysis and modeling. (2) The pandemic has also induced administrative decisions at SIPI that have postponed arrangements for leasing the 4x4 vehicle required for conducting the project field work. (3) Unanticipated BIE/SIPI administrative complexitiescaused an ongoingdelay in the planned purchase of PRISM gridded climate dataset during 2020. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The senior researchers (Dye, Prihodko, Hanan) and the graduate student researcher (Anderson) completed training for Google Earth Engine. The training was sponsored by GEE application experts affiliated with New Mexico State University and Jornada ARS. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Our objectives and activitiesin the next reporting period will be dynamically adjustedto comply with COVID-19-related restrictions. The most significant consequence of the pandemic the loss of all fieldwork opportunities as a result of a ban on travel imposed on the SIPI team. Assuming the pandemic situation improves and travel restrictions are lifted by approximately March, 2021, the SIPI team will conduct a full season of field data collection as described in the project field plan. Computer-based activities involving satellite and climate data will continue within Google Earth Engine, with the SIPI and NMSU teams focusing respectively on the macro-scale (full study area) and local/regional scale (Jornada region). We intend to request a no-cost extension beyond the scheduled project end-date to enable us to achieve the project objectives as the COVID-19 pandemic recedes.
Impacts What was accomplished under these goals?
In response to restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, our workplan activities shifted primarily to training and preparatory efforts for processing of satellite observations, analysis and modeling applications. PD Dye, Co-PDs Prihodko and Hanan, and graduate research assistan Anderson completed multi-day training for Google Earth Engine. Initial test implementations of the NDPI index were achieved using MODIS data for the SE New Mexico region including the Jornada Agricultural Research Station and Long Term Ecological Research station.Arrangements were completed for obtaining high-resolution PRISM gridded climatological data as a foundation for the planned bioclimatic analysis.
Publications
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Progress 04/01/19 to 03/31/20
Outputs Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:Major problems and changes during this initial report period are as follows: Formal withdrawl in late 2019 of USGS partnership and participation of USGS researcher and Co-I Barry Middleton. Reason Failure by USGS Western Geographic Science Center and Bureau of Indian Educationto realize original agreement for Co-I Middleton to participate in the project through a DOI inter-bureau detail, and subsequent withdrawal by USGS. Changes Project Director Dye assumes research responsbilities originally assigned to former Co-I Middleton. This change is enabled by a modification of Dye's assignment at SIPI, which now consists of project research (0.75 FTE) and GIT Program Coordinator (0.25 FTE). In addition, the nominal start date of project was shifted to 01-01-2020 to accomdate the unforeeseen delays caused by the USGS withdrawal and resulting adminstrative challenges. Travel restrictions prevent implementation of field work plans originally scheduled to commence in April 2020, and student training activities orginially planned for July 2020. Reason Advent of the COVID-19 pandemic within the United States in February-March of 2020 resulted in an offical moratorium on travel by BIE employees. At the time of this report, the moratorium is anticipated to remain in effect at least through May 2020 and potentially much longer. Changes All travel for field data collection is cancelled for the duration of the travel ban. Student participation in the training activities organized by NMSU are likewise cancelled. Project actitivites are shifted to laboratory-based tasks, notably: satellite-based data acquisition, processing and analysis development of the field-portable multispectral imaging system. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Major activities planned forthe next reporting period are: 1) review and assessthe impacts and implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the original project plan, 2) develop and iniate a modified project plan as needed to mitigate or adjust to the pandemic circumstances, including but not limited to constraints on travel and fieldwork, 3) complete tasks associated with initial satellite-based elements of the project plan, including data acquisition, processing and analysis, and 4) develop and test field-portable multispectral imaging system for near-surface observations of vegetation phenology, and 5) conduct alternate student training activities as needed as mitigation to anticipated field work restrictions.
Impacts What was accomplished under these goals?
As a consequence of unanticipated circumstances described separately in this report, accomplishments during this reporting period were limited primarily to administrative tasks and goals. Significant accomplishments are: 1) development and approval of restructured staffing plan (12/2019), 2) preparation, submission and approval of subaward to Co-I's Prihodko and Hana at New Mexico State University (3/2020), and 3) recruitment and start of the undergraduate research assistant at NMSU.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Dye, DG, Prihodko, L, and Hanan, N., 2019. Enhancing Native American Education and Land Management through Research, Collaboration and Training on Remote Sensing of Southwest Rangelands. Annual Meeting of the First Americans Land-Grant Consortium (FALCON), American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), Aurora, CO, 10/27/2019.
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