Summary: - Mark Isley, a data manager and physical scientist, discusses the use of open science and open data in monitoring environmental conditions at White Sands National Park. - The park is known for its unique geological features, including the largest gypsum dunefield in the world. - Open data from Landsat and open tools from the Pangeo project have been instrumental in their monitoring efforts. - Dust storms and erosion pose challenges to the park, impacting visitor experience and exposing fossil trackways. - Remote sensing imagery, specifically using the near infrared and shortwave infrared bands, is used to assess the stability and integrity of the dunefield. - Data analysis techniques, such as masking, edge detection, and watershed segmentation, are employed to separate the dunefield from the surrounding desert and analyze variations in soil moisture over time. Highlights: - 🏜️ Open science and open data are key in monitoring environmental conditions at White Sands National Park. - 🌪️ Dust storms and erosion pose challenges to the park's ecosystem and visitor experience. - 📸 Remote sensing imagery and data analysis techniques help assess the stability and integrity of the dunefield. #FOSS4GNA #openscience #open data #environmental monitoring #White Sands National Park #Pangeo project #Landsat #dust storms #erosion #remote sensing #soil moisture analysis