Sensor Webs in Digital Earth: Monitoring Climate Change Impacts

Abstract

The University of Alaska Southeast is currently implementing a sensor web identified as the SouthEast Alaska MOnitoring Network for Science, Telecommunications, Education, and Research (SEAMONSTER). From power systems and instrumentation through data management, visualization, education, and public outreach, SEAMONSTER is designed with modularity in mind. We are utilizing virtual earth infrastructures to enhance both sensor web management and data access. We will describe how the design philosophy of using open, modular components contributes to the exploration of different virtual earth environments. We will also describe the sensor web physical implementation and how the many components have corresponding virtual earth representations. This presentation will provide an example of the integration of sensor webs into a digital earth. We suggest that sensor networks and sensor webs should integrate into digital earth systems and provide a resource easily accessible to both scientists and the public. The initial scientific application of the SEAMONSTER sensor web is to monitor climate change impacts of glaciated watersheds in Southeast Alaska. Melting glaciers are dominating the biogeochemistry of watersheds and as the glaciers disappear, this influence will diminish. By monitoring these watersheds using a sensor web, we are improving knowledge regarding impacts of climate change.