What does geospatial science appear to be at Audubon California in 2025? It begins on the Salton Sea, the place our science helps transfer roughly 2,000 acres of wetland habitat towards restoration planning. From there, it expands statewide: analysis that informs California’s local weather coverage, modernized knowledge fashions that help smarter renewable power siting, and science-driven convenings that convey researchers and determination makers to the identical desk.
Our small-but-mighty group of ecologists brings technical experience in geospatial science, together with GIS, satellite tv for pc imagery evaluation, and predictive modeling utilizing machine studying. The purpose is straightforward: to develop science that helps folks make data-driven choices that profit birds, wildlife, and communities throughout California and the West, and to ship these science merchandise to the businesses, companions, and advocates who want them most.
Rising Wetlands on the Salton Sea
For over 5 years, now we have used satellite tv for pc imagery and GIS to map newly rising wetland habitat on the Salton Sea and produce that data to regulatory boards and state and federal businesses. We advocate for these habitats to be acknowledged and included into restoration planning as a result of we may see what was taking place on the bottom in close to actual time: because the Sea modifications, new wetlands are forming, and birds are utilizing them.
At a California State Water Assets Management Board assembly within the Coachella Valley, the Salton Sea Administration Program introduced a brand new undertaking to guard and improve rising wetlands within the northern Salton Sea, totaling roughly 2,000 acres. This type of mapping and advocacy is important — with out it, determination makers typically don’t have the well timed, habitat-specific data wanted to plan for shielding these wetlands.
These wetlands are supporting waterbirds and riparian species (together with threatened and endangered wildlife), whereas additionally serving to cut back dangerous mud emissions that impression public well being in surrounding communities.
What We’re Studying About Birds and Shifting Habitat on the Sea
Along with this on-the-ground momentum, we appeared again throughout the final decade of Audubon’s science on the Salton Sea to raised perceive how birds and habitat have modified throughout a interval of fast transformation. The Salton Sea is a website of hemispheric significance for migratory birds, and the dimensions of change there calls for cautious, long-term monitoring.
This 12 months, we printed a scientific temporary detailing what we discovered over that decade: how habitats are shifting, and the way birds are responding. That analysis strengthens our means to advocate for birds, habitat, and group wants on the Sea, grounded in clear developments and proof.
