Summary:
- Mark Isley, a data manager and physical scientist, discusses the use of open science and open data in monitoring environmental conditions at White Sands National Park.
- The park is known for its unique geological features, including the largest gypsum dunefield in the world.
- Open data from Landsat and open tools from the Pangeo project have been instrumental in their monitoring efforts.
- Dust storms and erosion pose challenges to the park, impacting visitor experience and exposing fossil trackways.
- Remote sensing imagery, specifically using the near infrared and shortwave infrared bands, is used to assess the stability and integrity of the dunefield.
- Data analysis techniques, such as masking, edge detection, and watershed segmentation, are employed to separate the dunefield from the surrounding desert and analyze variations in soil moisture over time.

Highlights:
- 🏜️ Open science and open data are key in monitoring environmental conditions at White Sands National Park.
- 🌪️ Dust storms and erosion pose challenges to the park's ecosystem and visitor experience.
- 📸 Remote sensing imagery and data analysis techniques help assess the stability and integrity of the dunefield.

#FOSS4GNA #openscience #open data #environmental monitoring #White Sands National Park #Pangeo project #Landsat #dust storms #erosion #remote sensing #soil moisture analysis