Photo Science was responsible for the creation of digital benthic habitat data from conventional color metric aerial photography of the Long Island, NY south shore bays. The scope of work involved image processing, feature delineation, and identification using softcopy photogrammetric techniques combined with extensive field work. The study area covered approximately 443 kilometers squared (171 miles squared). Benthic habitat data was compiled for all estuarine lands below mean high water within the study area. For this project, benthic features and habitats were assigned to habitat classes pursuant to the Florida System for Classification of Estuarine and Marine Environments (SCHEME). Photo Science utilized existing spatial control network (orthophotos, digital elevation models, ground control points, etc.) to rectify the source imagery. We also scanned aerial photography to produce a pixel resolution of 0.3-meters (one-foot). Further, we conducted aerotriangulation and orthorectified the scanned imagery and created a color-balanced, rectified mosaic of the study area at 0.6-meters (two-foot) pixel resolution.

Manti-La Sal National Forest’s existing soil resource inventory had been determined to be deficient with respect to consistency of mapping and interpretations. Using GIS overlay analysis, the soil resource inventory was correlated with slope, aspect, elevation, vegetation, geology, and land type associations. The resultant revised soil mapping units were reviewed in the field, and soil profile descriptions taken as needed. Using the revised soil mapping unit legend, the soil delineation lines were adjusted to improve accuracy and interpretability of the soil resource inventory. After a final field review, the soil resource inventory will be finalized and a revised mapping unit legend and mapping unit interpretations prepared.

Through the use of specialized analysis of remotely sensed imagery data and softcopy feature extraction techniques, Photo Science provided in-depth terrain analysis in support of National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s Vector Interim Terrain Data ProgramProgram. The GIS information generated through this analysis provides critical terrain analysis information to military planners. For each study area, Photo Science utilizes comprehensive softcopy image interpretation and terrain analysis methods to extract individual data layers delineating surface drainage, transportation, obstacles, vegetation, surface materials, and surface configuration information. Data is produced in Shapefile, VPF, and SLF formats.