Automatic Mapping of Avian Species Habitat Using Satellite Imagery

The Thematic Mapper is a remote sensing instrument aboard the most recent Landsat satellites that generates digital imagery of the earth with a ground resolution of 30 m. This imagery was digitally processed to produce a habitat classification in a study area located in NE Kansas, USA. In addition, bird counts were done throughout this study area. The two data bases were then combined and processed to obtain habitat suitability estimates and produce maps reflecting the habitat needs of individual species. This processing considered not only the types of habitat present (e.g., rangeland, mesic forest, xeric forest) but also the spatial characteristics of the habitat of a species (e.g. minimum habitat patch size, distance to edge). Using this approach it was possible to automatically generate distribution, suitability and density maps, and make rough estimates of population size.