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GRS
offers total GIS solutions including GIS consulting, data processing,
image processing and classification, satellite data distribution,
application development, and system sales.
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News
GRS Announces Release of New Version of Densitometer
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Arcata, CA - On April 22, 2008 GRS announced the release of an improved version of the GRS Densitometer.
GRS's first shipment went to Forestry Tools of Australia on April 23rd and shipments are scheduled for late April to both
Forestry Suppliers and Ben Meadows of the U.S.A.
This new version is precisely engineered, half the weight of the prior version, and easier to use and maintain. It is now available
from GRS or may be purchased from one of our resellers.
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In Progress
Lassen Volcanic National Park Comparative Vegetation Mapping Project (2006- )
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GRS has been selected by National Park Service to perform
land-cover mapping of the 106,000 acre Lassen Volcanic National Park. This park was selected as a test project
by the NPS Vegetation Mapping Program. The intent is to explore new approaches to vegetation mapping to determine
whether image classification or photo interpretation, may be more efficient in developing an accurate and detailed
vegetation database. The overall goal for both approaches is to produce a vegetation map that meets or exceeds the
spatial and classification accuracy required by the USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program and the Lassen Volcanic National Park.
 
GRS is implementing our unique Discrete Classification methodology
to develop the comprehensive and quantitative land-cover/vegetation map and associated database characteristics.
Field work was accomplished during the summer of 2006 using GRS's line-point transect sampling methdology.
These data were then the basis of the vegetation analysis to develop a vegetation classification for the Park.
GRS will then develop image training data sets to represent the diverse landscape characteristics sampled during field efforts
and classify the satellite imagery to develop the quanititative map database. Pixel data will be aggregated into polygons using
GRS's ecological rule-based pixed aggregation techniques that build groups of similar pixels into polygons that met
variable minimum-mapping unit size limits. The resulting data sets (IC and PI) will both be tested for accuracy with field data collected during
the summer of 2008. The image classification and photo-interpreted vegetation maps will then be compared to determine their relative
utility, cost, and detail. Results will be made available to resource managers, ecologists, biologists, and planners
that enable the users to develop and evaluate alternative management scenarios and strategies that include
wildlife habitat suitability studies, fire behavior modeling, and botanical assessment studies.
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Recent Efforts
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Land-Cover Mapping Project (2003-2007)
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GRS was selected by National Park Service, Alaska Region, to perform
land-cover mapping of the 18.5-million acre Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. This park is the
largest national park and is characterized by its rugged terrain, magnificent mountains and glaciers,
and diverse ecosystems. Five of the nine tallest mountains in North America are found in the park, as well as
some of the largest glacial features, such as the Hubbard Glacier, Malaspina Glacier (larger
than the state of Rhode Island), and the massive Columbia Ice Field
 
GRS implemented our unique satellite image processing methodology
to develop the comprehensive and quantitative land-cover/vegetation map and associated database characteristics.
Field work and aerial surveys were accomplished to represent the 10-million acre southern portion of the park during the summer of 2004.
The northern portion of the park was visited and sampled during the summer of 2005. Remaining questionable areas were sampled during 2006.
GRS developed image training data sets to represent the diverse landscape characteristics sampled during field efforts
and classify the nine mosaicked images (16 scenes) that covered the park to develop the comprehensive quanititative land cover database.
Both supervised and unsupervised classification techniques were applied to generate over 360 individual classmaps representing different
classifiers and statistical thresholds. Masks derived from winter imagery were used to resolve confusion. Individual class maps
were merged to form one comprehensive land cover map. The resulting data set will be made available to resource managers, ecologists,
biologists, and planners that will enable the users to develop and evaluate alternative management scenarios and strategies.
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Municipality of Anchorage
Fire Hazard Modeling
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GRS was selected by Municipality of
Anchorage (MOA) to perform a fire hazard and exposure modeling analysis.
GRS implemented our innovative satellite image processing techniques
to develop the comprehensive vegetation/fuels map. GRS then crosswalked
these types into fire-fuels classes and incorporated fuels, topography,
weather, risk, and hazard to develop a fire-exposure model within the
MOA urban-wildland interface. GRS also developed a mobile
fire mapping package that allowed firefighters to map fire-incident
features in the field on a PDA using GPS and ArcPad mapping software.
The models and data were made available to planners and managers through
a decision support system that allows the users to evaluate incident scenarios
and mitigation strategies.
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GRS awarded GSA contract.
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GRS was awarded in 2003 an Environmental
Services contract from the General Services Administration (GSA), the
purchasing arm of the federal government. This award allows federal agencies
to purchase Land Cover Mapping and Image Processing services from GRS
under the GSA schedule.
In making this award the GSA recognized
GRS's expertise as one of the premier image processing firms in the U.S.,
as well as the world. GRS has successfully mapped millions of acres while
completing projects in California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia,
and Alaska.
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Updated 01/31/08 kas |
