Print PageA host of new imaging technologies are emerging that will give scientists the ability to track nearly every plant in an ecosystem at high time-resolutions for decades or longer. When these imaging tools are combined with lab and field-based genomics studies, the opportunities to improve ecosystem and climate modeling are substantial. The Internet allows us to share these new datasets with researchers, educators and the public in novel ways that can greatly enhance collaborative science, land management and environmental education. Availability of data, at this scale and acuity is unprecedented in the history of ecology. Taken together, these technologies have the potential to be transformative.
Results/Conclusions
We present the results of our research using gigapixel resolution imaging systems, tower-based wireless cameras and Internet data visualization tools to enhance traditional phenology, remote sensing and genomics research. We will also present an overview of emerging data collection technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and GPS-based smartphone applications for phenology and citizen science projects. Smartphone applications in particular present a unique opportunity to permit non-scientists to play and active role in data collection in their local environment.
Finally, we will discuss the implications of such data sets for regional and global ecological modeling. We will also detail what areas are most in need of additional work if these technologies are to become widely adopted and reach their full potential.
