Monitoring the Collapse of Kelp Forests

Changing climate and a marine epidemic have combined to decimate one of Northern California’s most productive ecosystems.

NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey and topographic data from the USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). Historical sea surface temperature image by Jesse Allen, using microwave and infrared multi-sensor SST data from Remote Sensing Systems. Photo by Steve Lonhart, NOAA Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Story by Laura Rocchio, Landsat Communication and Public Engagement Team, with Mike Carlowicz.

Published June 4, 2021
Data acquired August 31, 2008 - August 14, 2019

Sources:

Landsat 5 > TM

Landsat 8 > OLI

Model

Photograph