98. Fighting Wetland Loss From Outer Space

What this episode covers

Hosts Daniel and Forbode discuss a NASA-led initiative using Landsat satellite imagery and ground-based measurements to track wetland loss in Louisiana. They explain how coastal engineering, specifically levees that block sediment flow, has accelerated erosion, and how the Landsat program's consistent 100-foot resolution allows for reliable pixel-to-pixel comparison over 40 years. The conversation highlights the collaboration between NASA, Caltech, LSU, and Florida International University to validate satellite data with ground truth, enabling scientists to monitor accretion rates and inform future restoration efforts.