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agInnovation Research Center | Climate and Geospatial Sciences

agInnovation Research Center | 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.

2022
  1. Cotal Conservation Area, Santa Rita – RGB Orthomosaic 
  2. Seagrass Site, Pago Bay – RGB Orthomosaic 
  3. University of Guam Dean's Circle – RGB Orthomosaic  
2023
  1. Ague Cove – TIR 
  2. Ague Cove – RGB Orthomosaic 
  3. As Gadao/Biochar Site, Merizo – RGB Orthomosaic 
  4. Pago Bay Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (100ft) – RGB Orthomosaic 
  5. Pago Bay Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (400ft) – RGB Orthomosaic 
  6. Seagrass Site, Hagatna – RGB Orthomosaic 
  7. Taguan, Mangilao (200ft - December) – RGB Orthomosaic 
  8. Taguan, Mangilao (400ft - December) – RGB Orthomosaic 
  9. Taguan, Mangilao (400ft - June) – RGB Orthomosaic 
  10. Ugum Watershed, Talofofo (March) – RGB Orthomosaic 
  11. Ugum Watershed, Talofofo (October) – RGB Orthomosaic 
  12. Ugum Watershed, Talofofo (October) – NDVI  
2024
  1. Taguan Orthomosaic – Mangilao, Guam
  2. Ugum (NFWF 1) Orthomosaic - Talofofo, Guam
  3.  Ugum (NFWF 2) Orthomosaic - Talofofo, Guam
  4.  Ugum  RGB (NFWF 1) Orthomosaic - Talofofo, Guam
  5.  Ugum RGB (NFWF 2) Orthomosaic - Talofofo, Guam
  6. Ugum RGB Orthomosaic- Talofofo, Guam
  7. Ugum LiDAR - Talofofo, Guam
  8. Ugum DEM (LiDAR) - Talofofo, Guam
  9. Dogleg Reef (RGB) - Piti, Guam
  10. Luminao Reef (RGB) - Piti, Guam
  11. Ugum Orthomosaic (LiDAR) - Talofofo, Guam
  12. Cocos Lagoon Orthomosaic (RGB)
  13. Triton Farm (RGB) - Yigo, Guam
  14. Triton Farm (NDVI) - Yigo, Guam
  15. Tanguisson Reef (RGB) - Dededo, Guam
  16. Gun Beach Reef (RGB) - Tumon, Guam
  17. Hila'an Reef (RGB) - Dededo, Guam
  18. Piti Fisheye (RGB) - Piti, Guam
  19. Piti Powerplant (RGB) - Piti, Guam
  20. Ypao (RGB) - Tumon, Guam
  21. Emerald Valley (RGB) - Piti, Guam
  22. Agat Cemetery Forereef – Agat, Guam
  23. Agat Cemetery Staghorns – Agat, Guam
  24. As Gadao Replantation (RGB) - Malesso', Guam
  25. UOG Campus Drive (RGB) - Mangilao, Guam
  26. Paseo 150ft CRB (RGB) - Hagåtña, Guam
  27. Paseo 250ft  CRB (RGB) - Hagåtña, Guam
  28. Boat Basin 150ft CRB (RGB) - Hagåtña, Guam
  29. Boat Basin 250ft CRB (RGB) - Hagåtña, Guam
  30. Malojloj CRB (RGB) - October 24, 2024 - Inarajan, Guam
  31. Jeff's Pirate Cove CRB (RGB) - Talo'fo'fo, Guam
  32. Jeff's Pirate Cove CRB (RGB) - Talo'fo'fo, Guam
  33. Ague Cove Corals (RGB) - Dededo, Guam
  34. Taguan Site Orthomosaic (RGB) - Mangilao, Guam
2025
  1. Quinene Plantation (NDVI) - Malesso', Guam
  2. Quinene Plantation (RGB) - January 10 2025 - Malesso', Guam
  3. COTAL (RGB) - February 19, 2025
  4. COTAL (NDVI) - February 19, 2025
  5. AL 443 - UOG Drone Demo (RGB) - Mangilao, Guam
  6. AL 443 - UOG Drone Demo (NDVI) - Mangilao, Guam
  7. Algae Bloom Mission (RGB) - Tumon, Guam
  8. Algae Bloom Mission (NDVI) - Tumon, Guam

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.  

  1. Agat
  2. Dededo (Astumbo)
  3. Dededo (Okkodo)
  4. Dededo 2A
  5. Dededo 2B
  6. Hagåtña
  7. Mangilao (University of Guam)
  8. Pago Bay
  9. Piti
  10. Ritidian
  11. Tumon 
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. 

 

Last updated: June 2025

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2023-2024 Magic Lab Impact Report

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2020-2030 Guam Forest Action Plan

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CONTACTS:

Romina King, Ph.D.
Dean’s Circle, House #34
(MARC GIS Centre)
Email: roking@triton.uog.edu

Leslie Aquino, Ph.D. 
Warehouse Annex B, Room 10
Tel: (671) 735-2832
Email: aquinol8112@triton.uog.edu

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