Canadian-guerilla
27th February 2014, 08:27 AM
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Space photos aid bear count
Thursday, February 27, 2014
They look like tiny white specks on a mottled grey background.
They're polar bears seen from space - using the newest tool in the kit for scientists to monitor Canada's populations of the mighty Arctic predator.
"They really do stand out as a bright white dot against that dark grey landscape," said Seth Stapleton, a University of Minnesota scientist pioneering the technique.
High-resolution satellite images are increasingly being used by scientists to look at animals living in remote, expensive-to-reach places. They're already used on penguins, walruses, seals and whales.
Stapleton, who specializes in new ways to estimate bear populations, said the idea to use satellite photos came up one day while he was in the field with a colleague.
"We jokingly discussed, wouldn't it be funny if we could do this one day with something like Google Earth," he said.
Satellite images with resolution as tight as half a metre are available. Stapleton purchased two sets, one taken August 2012 and one a month later.
"It's not rocket science," he said. "This is a really simple idea."
http://www2.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=b39d4d71-f88f-436f-b9b4-3fac60f71f0a
from GIM1 . . .
The ability to stay undetected may be the most underrated and most difficult prep there is.
momopanda
Space photos aid bear count
Thursday, February 27, 2014
They look like tiny white specks on a mottled grey background.
They're polar bears seen from space - using the newest tool in the kit for scientists to monitor Canada's populations of the mighty Arctic predator.
"They really do stand out as a bright white dot against that dark grey landscape," said Seth Stapleton, a University of Minnesota scientist pioneering the technique.
High-resolution satellite images are increasingly being used by scientists to look at animals living in remote, expensive-to-reach places. They're already used on penguins, walruses, seals and whales.
Stapleton, who specializes in new ways to estimate bear populations, said the idea to use satellite photos came up one day while he was in the field with a colleague.
"We jokingly discussed, wouldn't it be funny if we could do this one day with something like Google Earth," he said.
Satellite images with resolution as tight as half a metre are available. Stapleton purchased two sets, one taken August 2012 and one a month later.
"It's not rocket science," he said. "This is a really simple idea."
http://www2.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=b39d4d71-f88f-436f-b9b4-3fac60f71f0a
from GIM1 . . .
The ability to stay undetected may be the most underrated and most difficult prep there is.
momopanda