Randy Lee

Mapping microbial biodiversity.

ABSTRACT We report the development of a prototype database that “maps” microbial diversity in the context of the geochemical and geological environment and geographic location. When it is fully implemented, scientists will be able to conduct database searches, construct maps containing the information of interest, download files, and enter data over the Internet.

Using Unmanned Helicopters to Assess Vegetation Cover in Sagebrush Steppe Ecosystems

Abstract Evaluating vegetation cover is an important factor in understanding the sustainability of many ecosystems. Remote sensing methods with sufficient accuracy could dramatically alter how biotic resources are monitored on both public and private lands. Idaho National Laboratory (INL), in conjunction with the University of Idaho, evaluated whether unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are sufficiently accurate and more efficient than the point-frame field method for monitoring vegetative cover and bare ground in sagebrush steppe ecosystems. These values are of interest to land managers because typically there are limited natural resource scientists and funding for comprehensive ground evaluations. In this project, unmanned helicopters were used to collect still-frame imagery to determine vegetation cover during June and July 2005. The images were used to estimate percent cover for six vegetative cover classes (shrub, dead shrub, grass, forbs, litter, and bare ground). Field plots used to collect imagery and on-the-ground measurements were located on the INL site west of Idaho Falls, Idaho. Ocular assessments of digital imagery were performed using SamplePoint, and the results were compared with field measurements collected using a point-frame method. The helicopter imagery evaluation showed a high degree of agreement with field cover class values for grass, litter, and bare ground and reasonable agreement for dead shrubs. Shrub cover was often overestimated, and forbs were generally underestimated. The helicopter method took 45% less time than the field method. This study demonstrates that UAV technology provides a viable method for monitoring selective types of cover on rangelands and could save time and resources. Resumen Evaluar la cobertura vegetal es un importante factor para entender la sustentabilidad de muchos ecosistemas. Métodos de teledetección con suficiente precisión pueden considerablemente alterar la manera en como los recursos bióticos son monitoreados tanto en propiedad privada y pública. El laboratorio Nacional de Idaho (INL), en conjunto con la universidad de Idaho, evaluaron si vehículos aéreos no tripulados (UAVs) son suficientemente precisos y más eficientes que los métodos de campo basados en punto de referencia para monitorear la cobertura de las vegetación y el suelo desnudo en los ecosistemas de pastizales de Artemisia. Estas evaluaciones son de interés para los manejadores de tierra ya que normalmente hay pocos científicos dedicados al estudio de los recursos naturales así como escasos recursos monetarios para evaluaciones integrales. En este proyecto, helicópteros no tripulados fueron usados para recolectar imágenes usadas para determinar la cobertura vegetal durante junio y julio de 2005. Las imágenes fueron usadas para estimar el porcentaje de cobertura de seis clases de cubierta vegetal (arbustos, arbustos muertos, pastos, herbáceas, hojarasca y suelo desnudo). Parcelas de campo que fueron usadas para recolectar las imágenes así como las mediciones en campo fueron localizadas en el sitio INL al oeste de Idaho Falls, Idaho. Evaluaciones oculares de imágenes digitales fueron realizadas usando SamplePoint y los resultados fueron comparados con las mediciones de campo recolectadas usando el método de point-frame. La evaluación de las imágenes recolectadas por el helicóptero mostró un alto grado de correlación con respecto a las evaluaciones de campo para pastos, hojarasca, y suelo desnudo, y una razonable relación para plantas muertas. Las cobertura de los arbustos fue regularmente sobrestimado y para las herbáceas fueron generalmente subestimadas. El método del helicóptero tomo 45% menos tiempo que el método de campo. Este estudio demostró que la tecnología UAV proporciono un método viable para monitorear los tipos selectivos de cobertura en los pastizales y podría salvar tiempo y recursos.

VIRTUAL HYDROPOWER PROSPECTING: A FOUNDATION FOR WATER ENERGY RESOURCE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

ABSTRACT A comprehensive assessment of the gross power potential of the natural stream water energy resources of the United States was performed using state-of-the-art digital elevation models (DEMs) and geographic information system (GIS) tools. Water energy resource sites (stream segments) assessed in the basic resource assessment were further evaluated to identify which can be developed using a set of feasibility criteria. The gross power potential of each site was refined to determine its developable hydropower potential using a set of development criteria corresponding to a damless low power (less than 1 MWa) or small hydro (between 1 and 30 MWa) project. The methodologies for performing the basic resource assessment and subsequent feasibility assessment are described and the summary results for the nation are presented.

Synthesizing Old and New: Joining Existing Remote-Sensing and GIS Data to Assess Fire Issues in Sagebrush Steppe Ecosystems

ABSTRACT Creeping environmental changes are impacting some of the largest remaining intact parcels of shrub-steppe ecosystems in the western United States and are creating major problems for land managers. The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is part of the largest sagebrush steppe ecosystem on the continent. Scientists at the INL and the University of Idaho have integrated existing field and remotely-sensed data with geographic information systems technology to analyze how recent fires on the INL have influenced the current distribution of terrestrial vegetation. Three different vegetation mapping and classification systems were used to evaluate the changes in vegetation due to fires between 1994 and 2003. Twenty-four percent of the sagebrush steppe community on the INL was altered by fire, mostly over a seven year period. There were notable differences between methods, especially for juniper and grasslands. One method stood out in representing the landscape because it includes playa/bare ground/disturbed area and lava as vegetation categories. This study found that assessing existing data sets is useful for quantifying fire impacts and should be helpful in future fire and land use planning. It also demonstrated how different mapping and classification methods can influence the outcome from fire impact assessments.

Economically Optimum Production of Both the Agricultural Biomass Feedstock and the Crop

The Report of the National Energy Policy Development Group to President George W. Bush, titled the National Energy Policy, recognized renewable and alternative energy sectors as among the fastest growing in the United States, and identified biomass as one source for renewable energy. Agricultural crop residues are a significant renewable biomass resource from which to produce not only energy but also biobased products. In 2001, American farmers harvested 68.8 million acres of corn for grain, 48.7 million acres of wheat, and 4.3 million acres of barley. The available crop residues from these acreages represent a significant amount of available and renewable biomass. But for many years, research in support of crop production methodologies has been aimed at producing the best economic return to the farmer for the grain. In most cases, the crop residue production was either ignored, or the secondary objective of the research was to reduce the residue produced. Corn stalks have become shorter and thinner. Wheat stems have shortened. Now, in support of our national policies, interest in using crop residues as a biomass feedstock has risen. With this growing interest in crop residues, economically optimum simultaneous production of both the grain and the crop residue becomes of significant interest. In our paper we discuss new strategies for grain production involving optimum variable-rate fertilization of the crop for the simultaneous production of both the grain and the crop residue biomass. This ongoing research involved a full-field test in 2002 in which the goal was economically optimized simultaneous production of wheat and straw using site-specific variable-rate fertilization. Results from the 2002 harvest suggest some improvement over using traditional uniform fertilization, but economically efficient biomass production was not accomplished. Ongoing field tests are being conducted in 2003 using information gained in the 2002 field tests.

Assessment of Natural Stream Sites for Hydroelectric Dams in the Pacific Northwest Region

This pilot study presents a methodology for modeling project characteristics using a development model of a stream obstructing dam. The model is applied to all individual stream reaches in hydrologic region 17, which encompasses nearly all of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Project site characteristics produced by the modeling technique include: capacity potential, principal dam dimensions, number of required auxiliary dams, total extent of the constructed impoundment boundary, and the surface area of the resulting reservoir. Aggregated capacity potential values for the region are presented in capacity categories including total, that at existing dams, within federal and environmentally sensitive exclusion zones, and the balance which is consider available for greenfield development within the limits of the study. Distributions of site characteristics for small hydropower sites are presented and discussed. These sites are screened to identify candidate small hydropower sites and distributions of the site characteristics of this site population are presented and discussed. Recommendations are made for upgrading the methodology and extensions to make the results more accessible and available on a larger scale.

Extending the Utility of Modis Daily Snow-Cover Products through Snow-Cover Prediction of Cloud-Obscured Areas in Idaho's Big Lost River Basin (USA)

ABSTRACT Increasing demand for water resources in the Western United States has given rise to many conflicts and has increased the need for more accurate and timely water management decisions. Snow-Covered Area (SCA) is an important hydrologic variable for both volumetric and daily stream flow forecasting. Satellite data provide the ideal way to map snow cover in mountain regions; however, the utility of these datasets have been limited due to the large number of scenes that are contaminated with cloud cover. To improve the utility of these datasets for the snowmelt season, in particular the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Daily Snow-Cover Product dataset, a new procedure was developed to predict snow-cover in cloud-obscured areas using a snow-occurrence map technique. Results show that this method effectively increases the usefulness of the MODIS Snow-Cover product in mapping the daily evolution of snow cover extent in the Big Lost River Basin located in southeastern Idaho.

User's Guide Virtual Hydropower Prospector Version 1.1

The Virtual Hydropower Prospector is a web-based geographic information system (GIS) application for displaying U.S. water energy resource sites on hydrologic region maps. The application assists the user in locating sites of interest and performing preliminary, development feasibility assessments. These assessments are facilitated by displaying contextual features in addition to the water energy resource sites such as hydrograpy, roads, power infrastructure, populated places, and land use and control. This guide provides instructions for operating the application to select what features are displayed and the extent of the map view. It also provides tools for selecting features of particular interest and displaying their attribute information.