26 Aug 2025

The Quick Response Toolbox User’s Guide

Abstract: Regional-scale beach morphology, volume, and shoreline changes are quantified using the Joint Airborne Lidar Bathymetry Technical Center of Expertise (JALBTCX) ArcGIS Python toolboxes. This user’s guide details the JALBTCX toolbox framework and the operation of the Quick Response Toolbox. A walkthrough for each individual step within the toolbox will be presented along with example data from Homer, Alaska. Best practices and example data and figures are included as additional documentation for new users.

14 Aug 2025

Creating an Augmented Soil Texture Master List Using the Gridded Soil Survey Geographic Database (gSSURGO)

Purpose: This US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) technical note (TN) describes the workflow for creating an augmented soil texture master list that describes the surface-most (i.e., uppermost) USDA soil texture class and coarse fragment modifier. In conjunction with a soil similarity search algorithm, the soil texture master list fulfills a need identified by the Intelligent Environmental Battlefield Awareness (IEBA) project to generate detailed global soil boundary polygons. These polygons will serve as the base layer for populating other environmental variables, like soil temperature, soil moisture, depth to permafrost, and vegetation type, in the battlespace. This TN describes the purpose of the augmented soil texture master list, provides an overview of the gridded Soil Survey Geographic Database (gSSURGO), and describes the methodology used to create the soil texture master list.

13 Aug 2025

A Revised Landform Map for Areas Prone to Dust Emission in the Southwestern United States

Abstract: An area’s landform composition can provide insight into its dust emission potential. In 2017, geomorphologists from the Desert Research Institute provided the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center with a 32-class landform map for portions of the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts in the southwest United States (SWUS) to support air quality and dust hazard modeling applications. We collaborated with the University of California to independently assess the map. Our review identified opportunities to improve the dataset, such as using a simpler landform classification system and revising individual geomorphic unit assignments to ensure consistent labeling across the study area. This report describes our approaches for refining the SWUS map and documents the updated 15-class landform map that resulted from our efforts.

17 Jul 2025

The Profile Feature Extraction Toolbox User’s Guide

Abstract: The Profile Feature Extraction Toolbox was created by the Joint Airborne Lidar Bathymetry Technical Center of Expertise (JALBTCX) to extract profile features from high-resolution topobathymetric lidar datasets using a transect methodology. This user’s guide details the JALBTCX Toolbox framework, the Profile Feature Extraction Toolbox, and then walks the user through each step within the toolbox to be used alongside example data from Golovin, Alaska. Best practices and example data figures are included for additional assistance to new users. For the full documentation of the JALBTCX Toolbox framework, please see https://cirpwiki.info/wiki/JALBTCX.

9 Jun 2025

Review of Remote-Sensing Methods for Mapping Riparian and Submerged Aquatic Vegetation: Support for Ecosystem Restoration Monitoring and Flood Risk Management

Abstract: Riparian vegetation, defined as multilayered herbaceous and woody plant communities along river margins or bank edges, and freshwater submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), described as rooted aquatic plants in shallow rivers, lakes, and estuaries, are key factors influencing the connection between river and floodplain systems. These vegetation types are often used as indicators of riparian health. Current data on riparian vegetation and SAV are essential for addressing future water resource needs, particularly for restoration monitoring and flood risk management. The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), as the federal government’s largest water resources development and management agency, requires updated monitoring and assessment methods to support the development, utilization, and conservation of water and related resources. Assessing large riparian corridors involves characterizing baseline conditions, habitat extents, vegetation patterns, and health. Vegetation and habitat data are critical for evaluating the effects of project operations, resource management, and restoration outcomes downstream from USACE dams. However, obtaining such data across large, dynamic, and inaccessible river reaches is challenging. Integrating field-based techniques with remote-sensing technology offers opportunities to map larger areas comprehensively and adapt to future water resource needs. This report reviews re-mote sensing methods for mapping riparian and SAV habitats with emphasis on vegetation characteristics.

13 Sep 2024

Optimization Strategies for Geospatial Data on End-User Devices

Abstract: The ability to quickly disseminate geospatial data across all echelons, particularly those at the tactical edge, is critical to meeting threats described by the Multi-Domain Operations doctrine. The US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Geospatial Research Laboratory (ERDC-GRL), is researching the optimization of the formats, data models, file sizes, and quality of geospatial products to be exploited by end-user devices (EUDs). This report describes a processing methodology comprising custom software and open-source tools to optimize Army Geospatial Enterprise Standard Sharable Geospatial Foundation and industry-accepted products for exploitation on EUDs. The Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) was emphasized, but other devices, including the Nett Warrior and Program Executive Office—Soldier targeting systems, were also studied. Additionally, we developed a compression methodology that reduced the size of three-dimensional model data by a factor of 9 without a loss in data quality. A summary of the results describes steps to address remaining technical issues and considers future efforts to further optimize geospatial data for additional EUDs and tactical applications.

12 Sep 2024

Establishing a Selection of Dust Event Case Studies for Regions in the Global South

Abstract: Airborne dust is an essential component of climatological and biogeochemical processes. Blowing dust can adversely affect agriculture, transportation, air quality, sensor performance, and human health. Therefore, the accurate characterization and forecasting of dust events is a priority for air quality researchers and operational weather centers. While dust detection and prediction capabilities have evolved over the preceding decades, the weather modeling community must continue to improve the location and timing of individual dust event fore-casts, especially for extreme dust outbreaks. Accordingly, Researchers at the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) are establishing a series of reference case study events to enhance dust transport model development and evaluation. These case studies support ongoing research to increase the accuracy of simulated dust emissions, dust aerosol transport, and dust-induced hazardous air quality conditions. This report documents five new contributions to the reference inventory, including detailed assessments of dust storms from three regions with differing meteorological forcing regimes. Here, we examine two extreme dust episodes that affected India, a multiday berg wind event in southern Africa, a strong but short-lived dust plume from the Atacama Desert of Chile, and a narrow, isolated dust plume emanating from a dry lake bed in Patagonia.

29 Feb 2024

Analysis of Vegetation as Terrain: The “How” and “Why” of US Army Doctrine

Abstract: There is a significant knowledge gap for Army doctrine concerning civilian research scientists. A relatively small number of soldiers make the transition from warfighter to research and development at the basic and applied levels. That number is even less when considering former warfighters that have applied Army doctrine in an operational or advanced Army schooling environment. This special report is intended to focus solely on the Army’s current capabilities and doctrinally defined processes to analyze vegetation as an essential component of the natural terrain. The objective of this report is to review current Army doctrine related to analysis of the vegetated terrain; to explore currently leveraged tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs); and identify valuable geospatial resources as they apply to military planning. For ease to readers unfamiliar with US Army doctrine, much of the referenced material is directly presented herein as tables and figures throughout the document and appendices (e.g., data sources, product examples, and glossary).

31 Oct 2023

Establishing a Series of Dust Event Case Studies for East Asia

Abstract: Dust aerosols have a wide range of effects on air quality, health, land-management decisions, aircraft operations, and sensor data interpretations. Therefore, the accurate simulation of dust plume initiation and transport is a priority for operational weather centers. Recent advancements have improved the performance of dust prediction models, but substantial capability gaps remain when forecasting the specific location and timing of individual dust events, especially extreme dust outbreaks. Operational weather forecasters and US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) researchers established a series of reference case study events to enhance dust transport model evaluation. These reference case studies support research to improve modeled dust simulations, including efforts to increase simulation accuracy on when and where dust is lofted off the ground, dust aerosols transport, and dust-induced adverse air quality issues create hazardous conditions downstream. Here, we provide detailed assessments of four dust events for Central and East Asia. We describe the dust-event lifecycle from onset to end (or when dust transports beyond the area of interest) and the synoptic and mesoscale environ-mental conditions governing the process. Analyses of hourly reanalysis data, spaceborne lidar and aerosol optical depth retrievals, upper-air soundings, true-color satellite imagery, and dust-enhanced false-color imagery supplement the discussions.

29 Sep 2023

Low Size, Weight, Power, and Cost (SWaP-C) Payload for Autonomous Navigation and Mapping on an Unmanned Ground Vehicle

Abstract: Autonomous navigation and unknown environment exploration with an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) is extremely challenging. This report investigates a mapping and exploration solution utilizing low size, weight, power, and cost payloads. The platform presented here leverages simultaneous localization and mapping to efficiently explore unknown areas by finding navigable routes. The solution utilizes a diverse sensor payload that includes wheel encoders, 3D lidar, and red-green-blue and depth cameras. The main goal of this effort is to leverage path planning and navigation for mapping and exploration with a UGV to produce an accurate 3D map. The solution provided also leverages the Robot Operating System