USGS National Wetlands Research Center: Photointerpretation and Cartography

Photointerpretation and Cartography

researcher viewing aerial photos The National Wetlands Research Center uses traditional and innovative cartographic techniques to spatially represent ecological, biological, and other data derived from current and historical aerial photography, habitat interpretation, and map transformation. Aerial photography is the primary data source for information on wetland and associated environments, and the film types include black and white, natural and false color (CIR-color infrared). Various scales of high altitude and low-level photography are obtained through private and government contractors, including NASA which operates the ER-2 reconnaissance aircraft. In some cases, historical photography is obtained from other government agencies and private sources. Photointerpreters use stereoscopes to determine baseline information on wetlands, including the location and extents of wetlands, upland, and seagrass habitats from the photography. This data is transferred to base maps and subsequently digitized for computer analysis. Extensive field work, including global positioning system (GPS) surveying, combined with careful compliance to established mapping conventions and accuracy standards result in some of the most accurate, up-to-date, and informative maps available. Ecologists use this information to analyze the status and trends of coastal wetlands, to monitor resource management projects, and this information is used by other researchers at NWRC, as well as various local, state, and federal agencies, and the general public.

Research

Habitat Mapping, Aerial Photography Acquisition, Surveying, and Technology Assessment for the Southeastern United States (Lawrence R. Handley)
Habitat Mapping of the Impacts of Hurricane Andrew on Louisiana Coastal Marshes, Barrier Islands, and Forested Wetlands (Lawrence R. Handley)
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Mapping for the Coastal Gulf of Mexico (Lawrence R. Handley)

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