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WPTRC | Climate and Geospatial Sciences

Climate and Geospatial Sciences

Climate and geospatial science research at UOG

The Micronesian Area Geospatial Information Center (MAGIC) Lab comprises several grant-funded programs housed at the University of Guam with a combined goal of providing inclusive science-based and place-based resources for Guam and Micronesia. Our themes center around climate and geospatial sciences, using emerging and advanced technologies to produce the best available data for our region. 

  • To develop and maintain an online hub of geospatial datasets to assist researchers, natural resource managers, and policymakers in the Micronesia region. 
  • To promote and offer services of emerging technologies that augment research activities and monitoring of our natural resources.
  • To produce effective scientific research and case studies to further solidify the University of Guam as an esteemed research institution in the Western Pacific.
  • To utilize effective communication techniques to educate and raise awareness of environmental issues unique to Pacific Islands.
  • To provide place-based learning opportunities for students by establishing pathways with our local and federal partners through internships, fellowships, and co-production.   

PI-CASC

The Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center (PI-CASC) is a collaborative partnership between the U.S. Geological Survey and a university consortium hosted by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, with the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and the University of Guam, designed to support sustainability and climate adaptation in communities across the Pacific Islands. 

NASA Guam EPSCoR

The Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, or EPSCoR, creates partnerships with government, higher education, and industry that are designed to affect lasting improvements in a state or region’s infrastructure, research, and development capacity. NASA EPSCoR supports the NASA Earth and Ocean Science Mission at a local level, with research addressing critical challenges such as coral reef conservation, terrestrial land change, water security, and biodiversity in the Pacific Islands. 

NASA Guam Space Grant

As part of the University of Hawai’i Space Grant Consortium, NASA Guam Space Grant aims to inspire and train future generations of professionals in areas concerned with the understanding, utilization, exploration, and investigation of both space and earth, particularly as they apply to our regional island environments. The program offers educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to pursue research and internship experiences that support NASA’s goals. 

UOG Drone Corps

Launched in 2021, the University of Guam Drone Corps program aims to build technical capacity for drone services on Guam by creating a cadre of Federal Aviation Administration Part 107b-licensed, informed, and responsible remote pilots. The program introduces members to the fundamentals of drone technology through a comprehensive knowledge course, gives them hands-on experience with UAV applications, and inspires them to create their own drone-based solutions in addressing the island’s unique issues. 

USDA Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities

In 2023, the University of Guam was awarded $5 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service to work with forestry managers and farmers to produce commodities using more environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. This project will be providing voluntary incentives and technical support to producers to facilitate the adoption of climate-smart practices.

The initial pilot projects will include one conservation area managed by the Guam Department of Agriculture, seven private farms, and one agricultural experiment station on Guam. A team of researchers, soil experts, agricultural specialists, and economists at UOG and GovGuam will support the farmers in implementing climate-smart practices and monitoring greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the project will also develop solutions to make local commodities more marketable and affordable for island communities. 

Orthomosaic datasets

Welcome to our collection of orthomosaic datasets captured by our remote pilots from the University of Guam Drone Corps and NASA Guam Space Grant programs, thoughtfully presented to support education and research endeavors. These aerial datasets provide a detailed view of key areas across Guam, including diverse landscapes, urban areas, and natural wonders, offering valuable insights for a wide range of projects and studies. 

Aligned with NASA's Transform to Open Science (TOPS) initiative, we are committed to advancing open science engagement.

Explore our detailed orthomosaic datasets capturing the aftermath of Typhoon Mawar, providing a look into the impact of this natural disaster on Guam's landscapes and infrastructure. These datasets are available for educational and research purposes only upon approval.  

Access to the datasets

Please note that access to these orthomosaic datasets is granted exclusively for educational and research purposes. Each access request will be carefully reviewed and approved by our administrators to ensure responsible and ethical usage. Users must adhere to a "Terms of Use" and "Privacy Rights" disclaimer. 

To access the dataset for your specific needs, please request access on the dataset's respective Zenodo page. Kindly ensure proper citation is included when using these orthomosaic datasets. 

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2023-2024 Magic Lab Impact Report

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2020-2030 Guam Forest Action Plan

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Last updated: June 2024


Contacts:

Romina King, Ph.D.
Dean’s Circle, House #34
(MARC GIS Centre)
University of Guam 
UOG Station 
Mangilao, GU 96923 
Email: roking@triton.uog.edu

Leslie Aquino, Ph.D. 
Warehouse Annex B, Room 10
University of Guam 
UOG Station 
Mangilao, GU 96923 
Tel: (671) 735-2832
Email: aquinol8112@triton.uog.edu

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