Short Course: Biodiversity Science and Remote Sensing Fundamentals

8:00 A.M. - Coffee
8:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.M. Short Course
Salvatori Seminar Room, 365 South Mudd - California Institute of Technology

Speakers:

"Biodiversity Science" - Prof. Jeannine Cavender-Bares, University  of Minnesota

"Remote Sensing Physics and Measurements" - Prof. Kyle McDonald, CCNY-CUNY/JPL

"Imaging Spectroscopy from Space" - Prof. Phil Townsend, University of Wisconsin

"Species Distribution Modeling" - Dr. Robert Guralnick, Florida Museum of Natural History

"Biodiversity Policy and Assessing Progress Toward Policy Goals" - Dr. Gary Geller, JPL

Abstract:

Biodiversity science integrates processes across varying temporal and spatial scales. The use of remote sensing techniques utilizing datasets from Earth-orbiting satellites to characterize and monitor biodiversity across broad, remote and logistically challenging ecosystems is emerging as a promising approach for supporting biodiversity assessment with the potential for significant breakthroughs in associated biological and Earth sciences.

This short course will cover fundamentals of biodiversity science, associated biological concepts, and species distribution modeling, and will discuss the utility of remote sensing measurements for supporting biodiversity science. Remote sensing technologies discussed include imaging spectroscopy, microwave sensors, lidar, and SIF. The course provides an introduction to critical fundamental concepts and technologies for science policy as related to biodiversity science.