An Analysis of low altitude color and color infrared aerial photography as a tool for monitoring human impact site changes at Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
Shea KE. 1994. An Analysis of low altitude color and color infrared aerial photography as a tool for monitoring human impact site changes at Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. M.S. thesis. University of Wisconsin-Madison. Madison, WI
This Master's thesis investigates the utility of aerial photography as a tool for monitoring human impact sites in Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. The author used a combination of 35 mm color and color infrared (CIR) film to document vegetation disturbance at the sites. Ocular interpretation of both types of photographs (color and CIR) provided keys to individual species and vegetation community identification. Distinction between impacted and non-impacted areas is clear in both kinds of photographs. Color 35mm film with a single lens reflex camera provided the most interpretable photographs and used the least resources. A ground vegetation and site measurement study of the human impact sites was conducted, and findings were used to ground truth and assist in interpreting the photographs. Seven human impact sites were investigated in the Noatak River valley, on the North Fork of the Koyukuk River, at Walker Lake, and in the Itkillik River valley. Information was collected throughout the 1992 summer field season and will serve as baseline data for the Park.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Shea, Kelly
- Date of Issue
- 1994
- Publisher
- M.S. thesis. University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Units
- GAAR
- Keywords
- Aerial Photography, Baseline Inventory, Bombardment Creek, Disturbance, Gates Of The Arctic National Park And Preserve, HIS, Human impact sites, Itkillik Lake, Itkillik River, Maps, Matcherak Lake, Monitoring, Noatak River, Oolah Lake, Plants, Portage Lake, Revegetation, Species List, Vegetation, Walker Lake