Mapping snow algae distribution and abundance via remote sensing across south central Alaska

The purpose of the proposed project is to build and validate a model for large scale estimation of snow algae abundance and distribution via remote sensing, which can inform further work on melt and glacial mass balance, as well as increase knowledge of snow algae ecology. Model development and validation will take place on the accessible Eklutna Glacier and upscaled to the surrounding Chugach mountains in southcentral Alaska. This study area is significant because the high-latitude location of Alaska’s glaciated regions makes it highly vulnerable to changes in global temperature. The goals of the proposed project are to (i) develop a predictive model for estimating snow algae from remotely sensed imagery, (ii) validate the model with field sampling, and (iii) use the model to estimate algae abundance and distribution across southcentral Alaska.