NASA’s Ames Research Center is home to the Biospheric Science Branch (SGE), a team dedicated to understanding the intricate relationship between Earth’s ecosystems and the atmosphere. Their work, centered around remote sensing and modeling, plays a crucial role in monitoring key environmental factors and informing global efforts to address climate change.
The branch’s core focus lies in studying terrestrial and marine biospheres – the parts of Earth that support life – and how they interact with the atmosphere. This includes tracking the carbon cycle, monitoring land cover and land use changes, assessing the impact of wildfires, analyzing air quality, and understanding overall ecosystem dynamics. SGE leverages data collected from instruments mounted on satellites and aircraft to observe and measure variables like vegetation health, carbon fluxes, and atmospheric composition.
Matthew Johnson currently leads the Biospheric Science Branch as its Chief. The team’s research directly supports NASA’s broader Earth science goals, providing insights into how ecosystems are evolving and the implications for life on Earth. This isn’t purely academic; the data and models developed by SGE contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of our planet’s health and inform decision-making related to environmental policy and resource management.
Satellite Missions and Ongoing Research
The Biospheric Science Branch isn’t solely focused on theoretical modeling. It actively participates in and contributes to several ongoing NASA satellite missions. These missions provide the raw data that fuels their research and allows for continuous monitoring of Earth’s systems. Some key missions include:
- TEMPO (Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution): Researchers are applying and validating TEMPO’s ozone profile products.
- OCO-2 & OCO-3 (Orbiting Carbon Observatory): Matthew Johnson plays a key role in the Flux Science Team, integrating data from these missions into the Ames CO2 model to improve global carbon flux estimates.
- Aura: Researchers are conducting application and validation studies using data from this satellite.
- SMAP (Soil Moisture Active Passive): Researchers are assimilating SMAP data into the CASA ecosystem model to improve understanding of carbon fluxes and wildfire impacts in northern latitudes.
- SWOT (Surface Water and Ocean Topography): Researchers are quantifying ocean surface currents and studying their physics using high-resolution sea level observations.
Beyond these core missions, SGE is involved in a range of projects and programs, demonstrating the breadth of their research. The BioSCape campaign, for example, involved collecting optical and water samples to quantify biodiversity in South Africa. The AirSHARP project focuses on validating NASA’s PACE satellite ocean color and aerosol products. FireSense, another initiative, supports real-time spectroscopic products for wildfire response.
The team is also contributing to the GEDI mission, integrating 3D vegetation structure data with Landsat and Sentinel observations to monitor landscape dynamics and fuel distribution. The CyanoSCape project focuses on phytoplankton biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems, while the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) pre-phase A study utilizes frigatebird flight behaviors to measure the height of the PBL – the lowest part of the atmosphere.
Expanding Capabilities: Digital Twins and Disaster Response
NASA is increasingly focused on the development of “Digital Twins” – virtual representations of physical systems that can be used for modeling, and prediction. Biospheric Science Branch researchers are actively involved in developing NASA Land Earth Science Digital Twins (L-ESDT), aiming to better understand the impact of land cover and land use change on weather and climate. This represents a shift towards more proactive and predictive environmental modeling.
The branch also plays a critical role in disaster response. As part of NASA’s Disaster Response Coordination System (DRCS), SGE personnel monitor for potential threats, network with emergency management agencies, and connect Earth observation experts with responders during crisis situations. This highlights the practical application of their research in mitigating the impact of natural disasters.
Supporting Programs and Training
SGE’s impact extends beyond direct research. The branch supports several programs designed to foster the next generation of Earth scientists and promote the use of NASA data. The NASA Earth Exchange (NEX) provides a platform for analyzing large-scale datasets, while the DEVELOP program offers hands-on experience to students and early-career professionals. The Applied Remote Sensing Training (ARSET) program provides training on using NASA Earth observations for various applications, including ecological conservation.
These programs demonstrate a commitment to knowledge transfer and capacity building, ensuring that the insights generated by the Biospheric Science Branch are widely accessible and utilized. The ongoing work at Ames, combining cutting-edge research with practical applications and educational initiatives, underscores NASA’s dedication to understanding and protecting our planet.
