Alabama and Landsat

Abstract

Alabama’s warm climate and rich soil bolster its agriculture and timber industries, but they also offer ideal conditions for natural playgrounds, enjoyed by humans and the wildlife that call the open green spaces home. Alabama has 21 State parks and 11 national parks, monuments, and trails across its diverse geography. Cotton is no longer king in the Cotton State, but it remains a part of the fabric of its multibillion-dollar agriculture sector. The State also produces poultry, cattle, calves, corn, lumber, soybeans, and catfish. The State is home to Dauphin Island, the first land mass seen by migratory birds and pollinators upon their return from South America. Dauphin Island acts as a landing zone for hundreds of species, including sandpipers, plovers, and herons, and protects Alabama’s coastline. Since 1961, Dauphin Island has been the home of the Audubon Bird Sanctuary. The varied landscapes of the Cotton State face challenges from climate change, land change, and extreme weather. Satellite imagery from the U.S. Geological Survey Landsat Program can offer insight and understanding in these and other areas. Here are some ways Landsat benefits Alabama.