Connecticut's Changing Landscape

Long Island Sound Impervious Surfaces Coastal Area Land Cover Analysis Dynamics of Global Urban Expansion Geospatial Database for Water Planning Mapping Tidal Marsh Vegetation Coastal Riparian Buffer Analysis NASA DEVELOP: Modeling Coastal Inundation

Land Cover Change Study Forest Fragmentation Urban Growth Impervious Surfaces

Imagery

Data Download

Interactive Mapping

Statewide 2004 Orthophotos Aerial True Color Coastal Aerial False Color Coastal

CT Landcover CT LiDAR-based Digital Elevation Data Packaged for CT's Coastal Municipalities Impervious Surface Analysis Tool (ISAT)

Connecticut Land Cover Coastal Municipal Data Impervious Surfaces

NEMO Website National NEMO Network Website Land Use Academy Forestry Websites Green Valley Institute Website Geospatial Technology Website Land Use Planning

CLEAR Research

CLEAR research focuses on the use of remote sensing and related geospatial technologies to characterize, map and analyze Connecticut's changing landscape. This information is then incorporated into one or more of the Center's education programs. Of particular interest to us is the growth of developed land and its impacts on natural resources like water, forest and agriculture; much of this work is done using the NASA Landsat series of satellites. We are also interested in using the new generation of high resolution satellite and aerial imagery to investigate smaller-scale landscapes of special importance. Currently, we are working on invasive coastal plant species, and hope to expand this area of research to other landscape features. CLEAR Research is done out of the Laboratory for Earth Resource Information Systems (LERIS), a part of the Natural Resources Management and Engineering Department of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. LERIS is a NASA Regional Earth Science Applications Center.

CLEAR Research Projects

Connecticut's Changing Landscape (CCL)

This ongoing project tracks changes in the state's landscape over time (1985-2002), with an emphasis on increases in developed land. The study has become a major resource for researchers, agency staff, communities, the public and the press. The current phase of the project is producing information on forest fragmentation, urban growth patterns and impervious surface, as well as updating the study to include 2006 data. This work is being funded primarily by the NASA Science Mission Directorate Applied Sciences Program.

--> Visit CCL's main web page.

Land Cover Change Study
The foundation of the entire project, this research focuses on land cover change over time, with an emphasis on the growth of developed land.

--> Visit CCL's Land Cover Change Study website.

Forest Fragmentation
CLEAR researchers developed a model to analyze the land cover change for information on the fragmentation of forest land, the largest component of Connecticut's land cover.

--> Visit CCL's Forest Fragmentation intro page.

Urban Growth
CLEAR researchers developed a model to analyze the land cover change for information on the patterns of urban growth, i.e., how compact or spread out new development is.

--> Visit CCL's Urban Growth intro page.

Impervious Surface
CLEAR has developed several ways to estimate the amount of impervious surface, which is known to be a good indicator of the impact of development on water resources. This site shows the results of two different techniques.

-->Visit CCL's Impervious Surface intro page.

Long Island Sound Regional Impervious Surface Study

In this study conducted for the Long Island Sound Study National Estuary Program, CLEAR researchers used innovative remote sensing techniques to quantify impervious surfaces in the Connecticut and lower New York region from 1985 to 2002. Impervious surfaces like asphalt, rooftops and concrete are a reliable indicator of the impact of development on water resources.

-->Visit the Impervious Surface Study.

Coastal Area Land Cover Analysis Project (CALCAP)

In a partnership with CT Department of Environmental Protection funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), CLEAR researchers took a closer look at land cover and land cover change data along the Connecticut coast. The results are being used by CT DEP in an ongoing effort to prioritize open space areas along the state's urbanizing shoreline.

--> Visit the CALCAP project.

The Dynamics of Global Urban Expansion

Conducted as part of a team that included New York University and Williams College, CLEAR researchers looked at urban extent and expansion over a ten-year period for 120 cities with a population over 100,000, worldwide. This study is providing insight into the relationships of population growth and urban expansion in developing countries.

--> Visit the Global Urban Expansion project.

Development of a Geospatial Database to Support Water Planning in Connecticut

The Connecticut Institute of Water Resources is funding the development of a comprehensive statewide digital geospatial database that will be used to support water allocation planning and analysis. GTP program staff are assisting in database design and in the collection of water resources data, water withdrawal and diversion data, water quality and related datasets.

Phragmites australis - Threats to Tidal Marshes of the Lower Connecticut River

Tidal marshes in the lower Connecticut River significantly have been altered in the last few decades from the rapid expansion of Phragmites australis, a highly aggressive invasive reed. Through collaboration with a number of academic, state, municipal and nonprofit organizations, we are investigating the use of high-resolution multi-spectral imagery and LiDAR to detect the presence of P. australis and to monitor the efficacy of eradication programs. Funded by EPA, the NOAA Coastal Services Center, the Connecticut Dept. of Environmental Protection and the Institute for the Application of Geospatial Technology.

--> Visit the Phragmites australis project.

Coastal Riparian Buffer Analysis

The scientific literature suggests that one of the best ways to protect water resources is by keeping riparian (streamside) corridors in a natural state. Just how much of our coastal riparian buffer areas in Connecticut are still natural, and how fast are we developing them? This study, funded by the Long Island Sound Study National Estuary Program, is using our satellite-based Changing Landscape data to find out. [No web site yet, stay tuned for more information].