GEOTalks

Satellite-Derived Bathymetry Maps: Making Waves in GIS

Depending on the size and scale of a marine survey, bathymetry data can come with a prohibitive price tag. Traditional data acquisition methods—such as multi-beam sonar and airborne lidar—are effective, but can lead to significant cost and logistical complexity. In this episode, Amy Anfinrud from TCarta joined us to share the operational benefits of Satellite-Derived Bathymetry maps (SDB). We discussed the utility of their free Global Marine Basemap and the precision of their premium SDB data offerings integrated into Global Mapper [https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/global-mapper-pro/]®. Tune in to learn why satellite-derived bathymetry maps are a great resource for geospatial, hydrographic, and coastal mapping professionals. • Listen to the episode • Chill with the visualizer on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xh7lmjMIl0s?si=6KSeLc7VmJVWfw_F [https://youtu.be/xh7lmjMIl0s?si=6KSeLc7VmJVWfw_F] Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7eWGInIsHSI1fxffbuuF6A?si=eea57ac3b8914e3d [https://open.spotify.com/episode/7eWGInIsHSI1fxffbuuF6A?si=eea57ac3b8914e3d] Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/satellite-derived-bathymetry-making-waves-in-gis/id1734675688?i=1000737429640 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/satellite-derived-bathymetry-making-waves-in-gis/id1734675688?i=1000737429640] • Resources • Explore the Global Marine Basemap in Global Mapper: https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/global-mapper-pro/ Learn more about the Global Marine Basemap: https://tcarta.com/global-marine-basemap-for-global-mapper-2/ Join our podcast community on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/10087553/ • Timestamps • [00:00] – Meet Amy Anfinrud from TCarta! [00:54] – About TCarta [02:10] – Visualizing the ocean floor with satellite imagery [03:22] – Mapping the coast: What is SDB data used for? [04:15] – What 3 words best describe bathymetry mapping? [04:50] – Who benefits from satellite-derived bathymetry data? [05:54] – The impact of accessible bathymetry data [07:03] – What makes bathymetry data so valuable? [08:26] – Where can I find TCarta’s SDB data in Global Mapper? [09:38] – The value of the Global Marine Basemap for Global Mapper users [11:22] – Critical uses of satellite-derived bathymetry [14:22] – About TCarta’s affiliation with Map the Gaps [17:29] – Connect with TCarta

Mapping Aquatic Vegetation in Maine | GEOTalks Podcast Ep. 11

Common eelgrass is a type of aquatic plant that grows in shallow waters. It provides a range of invaluable benefits to the ecosystems it calls home. This is precisely why Tiffany Wu set out to predict where these meadows will grow using spatial data for her master’s thesis. We were joined by Tiffany’s collaborators on this project—Cheyenne Adams from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Janelle Goeke from the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership (CBEP). Watch the visualizer: https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/video-collection/geotalks-podcast-ep-11/ [https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/video-collection/geotalks-podcast-ep-11/] Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mapping-aquatic-vegetation-in-maine/id1734675688?i=1000729339003 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mapping-aquatic-vegetation-in-maine/id1734675688?i=1000729339003] Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5jkPhJoLYX94WoRMrNXKNQ?si=d92a22d13fcf47c5 [https://open.spotify.com/episode/5jkPhJoLYX94WoRMrNXKNQ?si=d92a22d13fcf47c5] – • Timestamps • [00:00] – Intro [01:52] – About Tiffany’s master’s thesis [02:55] – Tiffany’s collaboration with Maine DEP & CBEP [04:40] – Cheyenne Adams & Maine’s Marine Vegetation Mapping Program [06:00] – Janelle Goeke & Casco Bay Estuary Partnership [07:37] – Eelgrass (also known as seagrass!) [08:46] – The importance of Common eelgrass [10:12] – Habitat value of aquatic vegetation & species [11:35] – How eelgrass health affects Mainers [13:11] – Status of eelgrass meadows in Casco Bay [14:01] – The role of GIS software in this project [15:35] – Maine Coastal Mapping Initiative [16:06] – Mapping shoreline stabilization in Maine [17:30] – What’s rewarding about work like this? [19:35] – Insights for budding environmental scientists [21:50] – Wrap up & outro • Resources for Listeners • Learn about the Marine Vegetation Mapping Program (MVMP) from the Maine DEP: https://www.maine.gov/dep/water/monitoring/coastal/index.html [https://www.maine.gov/dep/water/monitoring/coastal/index.html] Learn about the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership (CBEP): https://www.cascobayestuary.org/ [https://www.cascobayestuary.org/] Download a trial of Global Mapper: https://go.bluemarblegeo.com/conservation-trial [https://go.bluemarblegeo.com/conservation-trial] More about mapping and ecology on GEOTalks: * Episode 1: Studying Coastal Salt Marshes using Drones with Andrea Celeste Curcio [https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/video-collection/studying-coastal-salt-marshes-with-drone-mapping-software/] * Episode 3: How Texas is Using GIS for Conservation with Kelsi Schwind [https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/video-collection/how-texas-uses-gis-for-conservation/] Contact Tiffany: tiffanyw@bluemarblegeo.com [tiffanyw@bluemarblegeo.com] Contact Janelle: janelle.goeke@maine.edu [janelle.goeke@maine.edu] Contact Cheyenne: cheyenne.adams@maine.gov [cheyenne.adams@maine.gov] About Tiffany Wu: Tiffany joined Blue Marble Geographics as an R&D Intern in 2023 and continued as an Analyst with the R&D and Cloud teams after earning her M.S. in Environmental Planning from Tufts University. In her role, she contributes to workflows that integrate machine learning and spatial data science. Her current projects include containerizing ML pipelines for land cover classification and building extraction, and developing RESTful APIs for real-time inference. A lifelong nature enthusiast from coastal California, Tiffany holds a B.S. in Animal Science with a minor in Environmental Science & Sustainability from Cornell University. About Cheyenne Adams: Cheyenne has managed the Marine Vegetation Mapping Program at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) since 2023, shortly after its creation by the State Legislature to map seagrass and salt marsh habitats on a 5-year cycle. She oversees all aspects of the program, from aerial surveys and ground-truthing to photointerpretation and geospatial QA/QC. Before her time with the DEP, Cheyenne earned her B.S. in Zoology from the University of Illinois, studying coral propagation and striped bass aquaculture. She then earned her M.S. in Marine Biology from the University of Maine, where she worked with oyster farmers on the Damariscotta River. Postgrad, she was an aquaculture scientist with the Maine Department of Marine Resources, diving and mapping eelgrass beds to inform assessment for proposed aquaculture leases. About Janelle Goeke: Janelle Goeke is the Staff Scientist with the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership. With a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Texas A&M University and a B.S. in Biology from SUNY Geneseo, Janelle brings scientific rigor and a passion for coastal ecosystems to her role. Janelle leads CBEP’s environmental monitoring efforts for the Casco Bay watershed, coordinating research on emerging threats, analyzing long-term ecological data, and developing tools for science-informed stewardship. Her focus on enhancing data accessibility helps support community partners, local organizations, and decision-makers to better understand and protect Casco Bay.

How Drone Mapping Assists Police Investigations | GEOTalks Ep. 8

• ABOUT THIS EPISODE • Forensic mapping specialists from the Windham, ME, Police Department use drones alongside GIS software to analyze vehicle crash sites and crime scenes. During this episode, we discussed Eugene Gallant and Jason Burke’s insights from the GEOTalks 2025 User Conference, as well as a few additional attendee questions, and the impact of their work with GIS technology. • LISTEN ON-THE-GO • Youtube: https://youtu.be/fWjK8ivwFM8?si=NLJr9za7PO3CrJmU [https://youtu.be/fWjK8ivwFM8?si=NLJr9za7PO3CrJmU] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1y1UNiEUVYQORhyTEB9677?si=af0e9087bb8b4fc5 [https://open.spotify.com/episode/1y1UNiEUVYQORhyTEB9677?si=af0e9087bb8b4fc5] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-drone-mapping-assists-police-investigations-geotalks/id1734675688?i=1000704630264 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-drone-mapping-assists-police-investigations-geotalks/id1734675688?i=1000704630264] • REFERENCES & RESOURCES • Read the blog: https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/blog/how-drone-mapping-assists-police-investigations/ [https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/blog/how-drone-mapping-assists-police-investigations/] Download a free trial of Global Mapper Pro: https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/global-mapper-pro/ [https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/global-mapper-pro/] Connect with the Windham, ME Police Department: https://www.windhammaine.us/170/Police [https://www.windhammaine.us/170/Police] • TIMESTAMPS • Captain Burke: Drone mapping saves time [00:00] Intro [00:13] Using Global Mapper to present reports in a courtroom [01:30] Do they keep records of the geospatial data for further analysis? [02:50] Efficient drone imagery processing with Global Mapper Pro [03:20] On-scene drone obstacles (tree cover, etc.) [04:34] Emergency response & the scope of FAA guidelines [05:34] Drones equipped with thermal imaging technology [06:44] Wrap-up [07:55] Outro [08:30]

The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Communities | GEOTalks Ep. 7

• About this episode • Storm surges and sea level rise pose greater risks to coasts each year.  Maine felt the effects of climate change this past winter when powerful storms and flooding berated its coast. The Camp Ellis Jetty was particularly vulnerable to these storm surges and sea level rise, and the Saco Bay community lost nearly 40 homes as a result. In this episode, we spoke with Dr. Will Kochtitzky who is leveraging GIS technology, lidar, and photogrammetry to study the effects of sea-level rise on the Camp Ellis Jetty in Maine. The concepts in this episode align with what Florida, North Carolina, and other southern states are experiencing in the wake of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. This episode was recorded before the storms, which devastated communities in September and October. We hope that these coastal communities recover soon and heal from this disaster. • Listen on-the-go • Youtube: https://youtu.be/bzucCiygHIw [https://youtu.be/bzucCiygHIw] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3xYBbOLnCqut4WkwS67Gqz?si=6d18e76d53554a91 [https://open.spotify.com/episode/3xYBbOLnCqut4WkwS67Gqz?si=6d18e76d53554a91] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-impact-of-climate-change-on-coastal/id1734675688?i=1000673329108 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-impact-of-climate-change-on-coastal/id1734675688?i=1000673329108] • Read the Article • Article: https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/blog/impact-of-climate-change-on-coastal-communities/ [https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/blog/impact-of-climate-change-on-coastal-communities/] • Timestamps • [00:00] – Intro [00:53] – Introducing Dr. Will Kochtitzky [01:10] – Glaciers & sea level rise [04:41] – About Dr. Kochtitzky [07:44] – Responding to the community’s needs [08:39] – Dr. Kochtitzky’s research (drones and more!) [13:53] – Quantifying climate change with GIS technology in Maine [18:12] – Monitoring change on the coast (salt marshes) [22:44] – Future of the Camp Ellis Jetty [30:24] – Connect with Dr. Will Kochtitzky [31:15] – Outro • References from the episode • Connect with Dr. Will Kochtitzky about something you heard in the episode – wkochtitzky@une.edu [wkochtitzky@une.edu] Learn more about his work – https://iceandclimate.org/ [https://iceandclimate.org/] Connect with the University of New England – https://www.une.edu/ [https://www.une.edu/] • Resources • Upcoming webinars: https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/blue-marble-geographics-webinars/ [https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/blue-marble-geographics-webinars/] Instructor-led training courses: https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/gis-training/public-gis-training/ [https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/gis-training/public-gis-training/] Blogs: https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/blog/ [https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/blog/] Industry Showcases: https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/industry-showcases/ [https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/industry-showcases/] Academic Programs: https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/academic-programs/ [https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/academic-programs/]

Understanding Secondary Tropical Dry Forests with Lidar Technology | GEOTalks Ep. 6

Lidar technology, in addition to other methods of remote sensing, can be integral to performing accessible research in a given area. This month on the GEOTalks Podcast, we spoke to Dr. Arturo Sanchez-Azofeifa about his team’s research in the Guanacaste Conservation Area at Santa Rosa National Park, Costa Rica. His team is creating accurate methods for studying secondary tropical dry forests with lidar technology. Listen to the episode to hear Dr. Sanchez-Azofeifa explore the history that established a need for this work and share his team’s ongoing research in this field. Learn more about this episode in the blog: https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/blog/understanding-tropical-dry-forests-with-lidar-technology/ [https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/blog/understanding-tropical-dry-forests-with-lidar-technology/] • Listen on the go • YouTube: https://youtu.be/8g_CvpfR3CE [https://youtu.be/8g_CvpfR3CE] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0zjuuHONHCZNSojAlgjR14?si=82ef1155cf384397 [https://open.spotify.com/episode/0zjuuHONHCZNSojAlgjR14?si=82ef1155cf384397] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/understanding-secondary-tropical-dry-forests-with/id1734675688?i=1000669148206 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/understanding-secondary-tropical-dry-forests-with/id1734675688?i=1000669148206] • Timestamps • [00:00] – Introduction [01:14] – Dr. Arturo Sanchez-Azofeifa’s research [02:54] – His role in the Tropi-Dry Project [05:04] – Challenges researching tropical dry forests (TDFs) [07:47] – Ecological corridors for biodiversity in TDFs [10:15] – GIS and lidar technology in his work [13:09] – Data resolution [16:02] – Climate change in the tropics [20:46] – Understanding deforestation in Costa Rica [22:56] – Connect with Dr. Sanchez-Azofeifa and Tropi-Dry [24:15] – Wrap-up • Resources • Connect with Tropi-Dry | https://www.tropi-dry.org/ [https://www.tropi-dry.org/] Arturo Sanchez-Azofeifa’s Google Scholar Profile | https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ngY7I_MAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao [https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ngY7I_MAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao] Register for upcoming webinars: https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/blue-marble-geographics-webinars/ [https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/blue-marble-geographics-webinars/] Instructor-led training courses: https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/gis-training/public-gis-training/ [https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/gis-training/public-gis-training/] Blogs: https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/blog/ [https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/blog/] Industry Showcases: https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/industry-showcases/ [https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/industry-showcases/] Academic Programs: https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/academic-programs/ [https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/academic-programs/]