Upper Delaware River National Parks Hyperspectral Imagery Analysis of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

This folder contains hyperspectral imaging and sampling data for the Upper Delaware River National Parks collected by the Civil Air Patrol with their Airborne real-time cueing hyperspectral enhanced reconnaissance (ARCHER) sensor and by members of the Leetown Science Center team. Data were collected for the purpose of evaluating value of hyperspectral imaging for the identification submerged aqauatic vegetation, including the invasive diatom, Didymo germinata, in shallow riverine systems. Also included are field data collected by the Pennsylvania Nature Conservancy and by the USGS team of researchers. The two Upper Delaware National Park recreational areas and their ecological health are of primary importance to National Park Service managers. In recent years, this swift, shallow river system has been threatened by the emergence of dydimosphenia germinate (commonly referred to as "dydimo", or "rock snot"). It is a species of diatom that produces nuisance growths in freshwater rivers and streams with consistently cold water temperatures and low nutrient levels. It is native to the northern hemisphere and is considered an invasive species outside of North America. It is not considered a significant human health risk, but it can affect stream habitats and sources of food for fish and make recreational activities unpleasant. This microscopic alga can be spread in a single drop of water. In this project, hyperspectral imaging was tested as a possible montoring tool for detecting dydimosphenia germinate.