Geospatial Technologies
Geospatial Training Program (GTP)
The University of Connecticut's Geospatial Training Program was established as one of the first Earth Grant programs in the country. Earth Grant refers to a collaboration among NASA's Space Grant and Earth Science Applications, NOAA's Sea Grant and USDA's Land Grant Programs to promote the use of geospatial information technologies and data in business, environmental protection and resource management.
Putting Maps and Geographic Data on the Web
The Geospatial Training Program designed a website to get researchers, educators, and outreach professionals started on sharing geospatial data over the web. It is organized from simple to complex techniques. Some require knowledge of GIS Software, but many do not. Sharing geospatial data and maps on the web does not need to be complicated or expensive. In fact, some methods are free AND simple.
CRIs
The Network Hub, with funding from the Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technology (CICEET) at the University of New Hampshire, is facilitating wider use of web-based geospatial tools within the NEMO Network through the “franchising” of CT’ NEMO’s Online Community Resource Inventory (CRI) tool to at least three other states: Rhode Island, Minnesota, and South Carolina.
The Online CRI, is a website that provides users with access to 14 geospatial data layers of natural, cultural, and economic resources for every town in Connecticut. As users page through the data they effective produce a basic resource inventory that can be used to inform land use planning decisions. The site serves as a complement to NEMO workshops that focus on the basic premise that good local planning should begin with an understanding of what and where the community’s natural and cultural resources are.
In January 2009, six NEMO programs (including Connecticut, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Minnesota) gathered at the University of Connecticut’s Avery Point campus for the Community Resource Inventory (CRI) Online Tool workshop. Funded by the Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technology (CICEET), the workshop demonstrated how the Connecticut CRI Online was built and helped other NEMO programs adapt the tool to their states.
Land Cover
Land Cover Change Atlas
Website Overhaul in process, please be patient.
CCL
Website Overhaul in process, please be patient.
N-Spect
Website Overhaul in process, please be patient.
Impervious Surface Research (ISAT)
Through the work of NEMO, the Center for Watershed Protection and others, the importance of impervious surface as an indicator of water quality degradation has become widely accepted. More communities are now interested in identifying where these surfaces are located in their town or watersheds, so they can begin to develop strategies to minimize the effects of development on their water resources. A collaborative of UConn's Geospatial Technology Program, the National NEMO Network and NOAA Coastal Services Center has addressed this need by developing an “add-on” module for a commonly used GIS software package. Called the Impervious Surface Analysis Tool (ISAT), it helps communities estimate levels of imperviousness through the use of land cover coefficients. Since these coefficients vary considerably from region-to-region and state-to-state, a workshop was held in October 2002 to train Network members in the use of ISAT, and to develop standard protocols for the development of local coefficients.
This information will be compiled by the Network Hub and represent the first time a unified, nationally derived set of coefficients has been assembled. The use of the Network to test and collect scientifically relevant information is a model for future collaborations.
Read more in our Project Profile #2
A Tool to Estimate the Impacts of Development on Water: ISAT
(pdf 157 KB)
Useful LinksNational Geospatial Technology Extension Network - The mission of NGTEN is to facilitate the practical use of Earth systems science and technology, and help meet the growing demand for a spatially literate workforce. This is made possible through seeds sown by NASA, USDA and NOAA, and the science and education networks provided by Land Grant (Cooperative Extension), Space Grant, Sea Grant and other local partners.
NOAA Coastal Services Center - The NOAA Coastal Services Center works with various branches of NOAA and other federal agencies to bring information, services, and technology to the nation's coastal resource managers. The Center is a partner in over 100 ongoing projects geared to resolve site specific coastal issues. The Center supports coastal NEMO efforts around the country, through grant programs and data services. We really like these guys!
Southeastern Ecological Framework - EPA Region 4 - An interesting program that strives to connect important natural areas within the Southeastern US.
