Riparian corridors in the semiarid Colorado River Basin act as an interface between terrestrial and aquatic systems, play an important role in maintaining biodiversity and wildlife habitat, and contribute to controlling erosion and buffering pollutant and nutrient runoff. However, the proliferation of invasive species...

Estuaries are dynamic environments that provide a host of vital ecosystem services. California’s Marine Life Protection Act protects such ecosystems by creating Marine Protected Areas. California has approximately 440,000 acres of estuarine habitats as well as 23 Estuarine Marine Protected...

Light pollution causes measurable damage to natural wildlife behaviors and human health, as well as decreases the ability for humans to view the night sky. The artificial brightening of the night sky, or sky glow, created by light pollution subjects nearly 100% of Americans...

The Santa Monica Mountains (SMM) lie between the city of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, California, enduring as a steadfast haven for native vegetation, wildlife, and recreational activities. Both public and private conservation agencies have secured protection for much of the mountain range...

The Instituto de Conservación Forestal (ICF) in Honduras is in charge of managing and conserving millions of acres of public and privately-owned forest, including the pristine Río Plàtano Biosphere Reserve. Although one of ICF's main goals is forest conservation, illegal deforestation in Río Plàtano accounts...

Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs) were designed to protect and manage areas where desired economic development is in conflict with the needs of threatened and endangered species. Each plan is developed through collaboration between United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and a landowner or other...

Drought and flooding in Illinois have severe impacts on the communities and ecosystems of the state. Soil moisture is a valuable indicator of drought and flood vulnerability but can be difficult to measure since in situ monitoring is limited to...

Twenty-three counties in Kenya experience frequent drought, which damages agricultural productivity and threatens the health and wellbeing of millions. NASA DEVELOP partnered with NASA SERVIR, the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) and Kenya’s National Drought Management...

The magnitude and timing of forest disturbances have implications for global carbon cycles and forest ecosystem recovery. The carbon stored in central Idaho forests makes up a significant part of the overall carbon stocks in United States forests. Similar to the broader regional pattern...

The Osa Peninsula, located in the southern region of Costa Rica's Pacific Coast, is one of the most biologically-diverse places on Earth and a popular ecotourism destination. Previous work through NASA DEVELOP showed positive trends in land use since the implementation of the 1996 Forest...