February 1, 2001

Satellite Images of North Dakota Now Available

North Dakotans interested in how land is used in the state can now get that information through satellite imagery available from the North Dakota State University Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering department.

"Crops, such as wheat and soybeans, will show up as different colors on the satellite image," says Dath Mita a GIS/remote sensing specialist. "It’s especially important as we look at how land use changes from year to year and longer."

The Landsat 7 satellite takes 115 by 109 mile images. Through the use of geographic information systems software, those images are then joined to form a seamless image of the state. Also through the GIS software, crops, forests, wetlands and natural vegetation appear as different colors.

The image can be manipulated to show just one color, allowing interested parties to see exactly where a crop, such as soybeans, is planted in the state. "If you were interested in locating a soybean processing plant in the state, you could look at the image and determine where most of the soybeans are grown," says Mita. "It may show you the most feasible areas that make economic sense."

Agriculture is affected by many factors such as weather, diseases or market changes notes Mita. "So what we’re seeing is that farmers may be dropping a crop and introducing something new," says Mita. "By looking at these images over time, researchers will be able to tell which crops are going down or up and which new crops are being introduced. This gives researchers a tool to try to interpret why a crop is shifting, come up with some questions and put forth ideas why that movement is occurring."

Those involved in soil and water conservation can take a look at the images and compare what’s grown with the soils and topography of the area. "It may show there is a need to bring in some sort of conservation methods that will protect the environment," notes Mita.

As part of the project, a series of extension educational initiatives centered around promoting the use of the data in natural resource management, land use planning and other development projects is planned. Workshops and seminars will target county agents, state extension specialists and researchers.

"Other educational activities will be designed to help educators and youth better understand the concept and practical applications of the satellite imagery-based data," says Mita. "Through this process we hope to create an awareness of the technology available and how it can be used in day to day business, on land use projects and in the classroom."

Mita is currently working on placing the imagery on the world wide web. The interactive web site will also feature related activities and additional links of interest related to extension programs. The web site will be available sometime between March and April of this year.

The satellite images for 1997 through 1999 are available on cd-rom. The year 2000 results can be obtained through Mita’s office, however the images won’t be available on cd-rom until March.

The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, the North Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service and the NDSU Extension Service are partners in the project. The Environmental Protection Agency is providing funding through the year 2005.

The Agricultural Statistics Service has been using satellite images since 1997 as part of their official crop acreage estimation program. Meanwhile, the NDSU Extension Service had a need to integrate land use data into its Water Quality Protection project so a partnership was formed.

For more information about the project or how to acquire the data, contact Dath Mita at (701) 231-6551 or email at Dath_Mita@ndsu.nodak.edu.

###

Source: Dath Mita, (701) 231-6551, Dath_Mita@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern (701)231-6136, Richard_Mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu