Bridging Observations from Space and Ground: Citizen Science's Role in Monitoring Alaska's River Ice
2024-07-24
One of the most frequent questions volunteers have is "how
do you use the data I collect?" This month, we invited Mohamed
Abdelkader to share how he is using GLOBE Observer data of river ice
based on his recent publication in the journal Remote Sensing.
The Cold Reality of River Ice Monitoring
In May 2013, the town of Galena, Alaska, faced a devastating natural
disaster. A stubborn ice jam on the Yukon River, triggered by a sharp
bend about 18 miles upstream, caused floodwaters to surge, inundating
the town overnight. This event vividly illustrates the significant
risks posed by river ice, which can lead to floods triggered by ice
jams. Such ice-induced hazards are a stark reality in cold regions,
underscoring the critical need for effective monitoring of ice
conditions. More on this event.
This satellite image combines visible and infrared light to show
flooding on the Yukon River during the May 2013 flood event. Water
is dark blue, and icy water and clouds are light blue. Image
courtesy NASA’s Earth Observatory.
Alaska's vast and remote landscapes present unique challenges for
monitoring. The dynamics of river ice—its freeze and thaw cycles—are
particularly significant due to their impact on local ecosystems,
transportation, and safety. In summer, these rivers serve as vital
highways for boats, while in winter, they transform into frozen roads.
However, the unpredictable periods of freezing and thawing render
these icy routes hazardous, affecting the daily lives of local
communities and their connectivity.
The view from above highlights the isolation of Alaska’s frozen
rivers. Photo courtesy Mohamed Abdelkader.
Consistent and reliable observational data is hard to obtain due to
geographical inaccessibility and logistical constraints. This scarcity
of data exacerbates the problem in northern regions like Alaska, where
there is a pressing need to build predictive models that can
anticipate and mitigate the impacts of such dynamic and potentially
hazardous conditions.
The Power of Integrating Citizen Science with Remote Sensing
Traditionally, scientists have relied on satellite data to monitor
river ice dynamics. While remote sensing provides valuable insights,
it has limitations. Satellites may not image an area frequently enough
to capture rapidly changing ice conditions. Those satellites that do
fly over frequently are low resolution, which means they don’t capture
details. Cloud cover or darkness in the winter limit the view of the
ground. Here, citizen science emerges as a vital complement.
Volunteers, equipped with smartphones and simple protocols, provide
essential ground-truth data that enhance the accuracy and timeliness
of satellite observations.
Both the Sentinel-2 satellite (right) and a volunteer observer
(left) recorded an ice jam on the Forty Mile River near Chicken,
Alaska on 11 May 2023, demonstrating how volunteer observations
complement satellite data. Figure from Remote Sensing, volume 16 issue 8.
GLOBE Observer's Role in Alaska's Ice Monitoring
In Alaska, volunteers under programs like Fresh Eyes on Ice and The
GLOBE Program collect critical data that feeds into larger research
frameworks. As part of the Fresh Eyes on Ice project, volunteers in
Arctic communities report on rivers using social media and apps like
GLOBE Observer, the app of The GLOBE Program. Using the Land Cover
tool in the GLOBE Observer app, volunteers photograph ice conditions
and provide notes about the state of the river. This citizen science
data helps verify remote sensing products and fills in observational
gaps, particularly during crucial periods like the ice breakup season,
when rapid changes occur.
Fresh Eyes on
River Ice involves volunteers in documenting river conditions across the
Arctic using various tools, including GLOBE Observer.
A Case Study: Monitoring Ice Dynamics Using Citizen Science
Our recent study has harnessed data from The GLOBE
Program and Fresh Eyes on Ice project alongside satellite
observations, all integrated within the Google Earth Engine platform.
This approach has improved our ability to monitor the changes in
river ice over time and across different locations. By combining
multi-satellite imagery and ground-level observations, we can observe
and analyze ice conditions with unprecedented detail and accuracy.
Looking forward, we aim to refine these methodologies, potentially
incorporating more advanced machine learning techniques to predict ice
formation and breakup dates, thus improving the safety and well-being
of Alaska's residents.
Left, GLOBE Observer land cover observations in Alaska are
primarily along rivers where people are using the app to document
ice conditions. On the right is an observation of the Yukon River
submitted through the GLOBE Observer app representative of the
image-based data integrated with satellite data in the research.
Impact on the Community
This integrative method not only improves our understanding of river
ice dynamics but also actively involves local communities in
scientific research, boosting their awareness and preparedness for
ice-related hazards. An educational extension of these efforts was
vividly demonstrated at the third annual Fresh Ice on Ice research
symposium in Fairbanks. During this event, students, teachers, and
scientists, including myself, gathered to share insights and data from
ice monitoring activities.
Right: Students and scientists interact at the third annual Fresh
Eyes on Ice research symposium. Photo courtesy Mohamed Abdelkader.
The symposium facilitated a unique exchange of ideas through
activities like the "Ask a Scientist Anything" session,
where I had the privilege of engaging directly with students eager to
learn about the practical impacts of our work on community safety and
environmental monitoring. For instance, one student asked why ice
floats on water despite its weight, leading to a discussion on the
properties of ice and water density—a fundamental aspect of
understanding ice formation and behavior. Questions about the impacts
of climate change on river ice in Alaska allowed us to explore how our
data helps predict changes in ice patterns and potential risks. Others
inquired about the onset of ice breakup and whether the ice thickness
data they collected was used in our research. These conversations
provided an excellent opportunity to demonstrate how
volunteer-collected data are vital for improving the accuracy of our
predictive models, emphasizing the direct contribution of community
efforts to scientific advancements and local safety measures.
Your Role in Shaping Our Understanding River Ice Dynamics
We are enthusiastic about continuing this vital educational
collaboration, enhancing both scientific and community resilience
against climate-induced challenges.
Every observation you contribute as a GLOBE volunteer helps to
enhance our understanding of river ice dynamics in cold regions. By
participating in projects like GLOBE Observer, you provide essential
data that supports not only scientific research but also operations in
hydrology and community safety in these challenging environments. So,
grab your phone, step into the cold, and help us map the changing ice
conditions of our world, one observation at a time!
In this photo, a community member learns to use GLOBE Observer to
document land cover and ice as part of a workshop in Alaska. Photo
courtesy GLOBE.
Continue to contribute to this critical work by participating in data
collection activities through the GLOBE Observer
app, supporting efforts to understand and manage river ice
dynamics. The synergy between remote sensing and citizen science
offers a powerful combination, enriching our research and providing
comprehensive insights into environmental transformations in cold regions.
Watch the recording of the GLOBE Observer Connect conversation with
Mohamed on 15 August 2024:
About the Author
Originally from North Africa, Mohamed Abdelkader was inspired to
study civil engineering after observing the inconsistent
infrastructure development in his community. His pursuit of solving
complex environmental issues led him to specialize in water resources
management. He later continued his graduate studies at Stevens
Institute of Technology, advised by Professor
Marouane Temimi.
Mohamed's research delves into the complexities of the water cycle,
applying numerical modeling, remote sensing techniques, and machine
learning to understand and predict extreme environmental events like
floods, droughts, and wildfires. His PhD work at Stevens’
i-SMART Lab focuses on integrating multi-source data such as
satellite imagery and citizen science contributions to enhance the
monitoring and prediction of hydrological processes, with a particular
emphasis on river ice dynamics in cold regions.
Passionate about engaging the public in scientific research and
education through innovative technologies, Mohamed is committed to
making scientific research accessible and impactful.
