Earth Resources Observation and Science Center

Earth Resources Observation and Science Center is a renowned research facility that operates under the United States Geological Survey (USGS), in close collaboration with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The center's primary focus is on utilizing remote sensing technologies, such as those employed by the Landsat and MODIS programs, to monitor and analyze the Earth's natural resources, including water resources, land use, and climate change. This involves working closely with other USGS facilities, like the USGS National Center and the USGS Water Resources Division, as well as international partners, including the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). By leveraging these partnerships and technologies, the center aims to provide critical data and insights to support informed decision-making by policymakers, researchers, and the general public, in line with the goals of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Introduction

The Earth Resources Observation and Science Center is situated in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and its establishment is closely tied to the USGS's broader mission to understand and manage the Earth's natural resources. The center's work is interdisciplinary, drawing on expertise from fields such as geology, hydrology, ecology, and atmospheric science, and involving collaborations with institutions like the University of California, Berkeley, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). By integrating data from various sources, including satellite imagery from NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites, and in situ measurements from USGS and NOAA monitoring networks, the center provides comprehensive insights into the dynamics of the Earth's systems, supporting research and applications in areas like agriculture, conservation, and disaster response, in partnership with organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

History

The Earth Resources Observation and Science Center has its roots in the USGS's early efforts to apply remote sensing technologies to the study of the Earth's natural resources, dating back to the launch of the first Landsat satellite in 1972. Over the years, the center has evolved to incorporate new technologies and methodologies, such as hyperspectral imaging and lidar mapping, and has expanded its partnerships to include international organizations like the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) and the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS). Key milestones in the center's history include the establishment of the USGS's Earth Resources Observation Systems (EROS) program in the 1960s, and the launch of the Terra satellite in 1999, which has provided critical data for the center's research on climate change and land use patterns, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and the Australian National University.

Mission and Objectives

The Earth Resources Observation and Science Center's mission is to provide high-quality data and research products to support the management and conservation of the Earth's natural resources, in line with the goals of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement. The center's objectives include monitoring land use and land cover changes, tracking water resources and water quality, and analyzing the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and human societies, using data from sources like the Global Land Cover Network (GLCN) and the International Soil Reference and Information Centre (ISRIC). To achieve these objectives, the center collaborates with a wide range of partners, including federal agencies like the USDA and the EPA, as well as state and local governments, universities, and non-profit organizations, such as the Nature Conservancy and the World Wildlife Fund.

Organization and Structure

The Earth Resources Observation and Science Center is organized into several divisions, each focusing on a specific area of research and application, such as the Land Change Science program, the Water Resources program, and the Climate Change program. The center is led by a Director, who reports to the USGS's Associate Director for Water, and is supported by a team of research scientists, data analysts, and technical staff, who work closely with colleagues from the National Park Service, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. The center also has a strong commitment to education and outreach, providing training and resources for students, researchers, and practitioners from institutions like the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the University of Michigan, and the University of Texas at Austin.

Research and Applications

The Earth Resources Observation and Science Center conducts research in a wide range of areas, including land use and land cover change, water resources management, and climate change impacts, using data from sources like the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC). The center's research products and services are used by a variety of stakeholders, including federal agencies, state and local governments, private industry, and non-profit organizations, such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the Red Cross. For example, the center's Landsat data are used to monitor crop yields and soil moisture, supporting agricultural decision-making and food security initiatives, in partnership with organizations like the FAO and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Facilities and Operations

The Earth Resources Observation and Science Center is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and operates a range of facilities, including data centers, laboratories, and office spaces, which are supported by USGS's Information Technology and Facilities Management teams. The center also has access to a range of remote sensing and in situ data collection platforms, including satellites, aircraft, and ground-based sensors, which are operated in partnership with organizations like NASA, NOAA, and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The center's operations are supported by a team of technical staff, who are responsible for data processing, data analysis, and system maintenance, and who work closely with colleagues from the USGS's National Center for Earth Resources Observation and Science (NCEROS) and the USGS's Core Science Systems (CSS) team. Category:Scientific organizations