The USDA Forest Service is mandated to provide effective stewardship, along with allowing multiple uses, of our public lands.  RedCastle Resources personnel have completed projects in each and every program area of the Forest Service including: Range, Wildlife, Minerals & Geology, Recreation and more.  Following are just a few examples of projects in those program areas.

Range production estimates are normally collected on the ground. Expensive field data provides reliable estimates of biomass for a ground location but cannot be easily extrapolated to large areas such as an entire range allotment.  RedCastle Resources is in the second year of a remote sensing study to determine how large area remote sensing tools, such as Landsat TM and MODIS, relate to field collected variables such as biomass and productivity estimates. In this study, multi-temporal satellite imagery is being tested to determine if cost savings and improvement in biomass estimates over large areas can be realized by using public domain imagery. If successful, remote sensing imagery could be used to determine range readiness, utilization, and assist in prescribing durational periods for the grazing seasons. Draft reports and posters have been completed.

Sagebrush habitat is declining throughout the Intermountain West due to invasion of non-native species, altered fire regimes, and agricultural practices. Since sage grouse populations are dependant upon the sagebrush ecosystem, inventory of sagebrush areas has become a priority. This project examined the feasibility of using a variety of remotely sensed data to map rangeland shrub density as an indicator of sage grouse habitat. A procedure was developed to merge DOQs and Landsat TM satellite imagery for an area on the Ashley National Forest. Field data were linked to image locations and maps were generated for range vegetation attributes including land cover and shrub density. Accuracy assessment was completed based on photo interpretation methods. Project reports, maps of vegetation type and density, and custom software programs for ERDAS Imagine were deliverables.

Hazardous substances released by abandoned mine lands degrade the health of watersheds. RedCastle Resources completed a comprehensive remote sensing-based analysis for an area of abandoned mines in southwest Colorado. For this project, personnel analyzed remote sensing imagery from several sources and collected field soil and rock samples to test for acid mine drainage. The analysis of rock samples and hyperspectral imagery showed limited acid mine drainage activities were occurring. Another aspect of the project was to develop visualization techniques. Data visualization techniques including three dimensional fly-by’s  were developed using scanned and orthorectified digital photos and satellite imagery. These products have been proven useful in decision making and for presenting geospatial information at public meetings. In addition to the acid mine drainage analysis and data visualization, three reports were written: a final report detailing analysis procedures and two Remote Sensing Tips.