Integration of wireless sensor networks into cyberinfrastructure for monitoring Hawaiian "mountain-to-sea" environments.
Monitoring the complex environmental relationships and feedbacks of ecosystems on catchment (or mountain)-to-sea scales is essential for social systems to effectively deal with the escalating impacts of expanding human populations globally on watersheds. However, synthesis of emerging technologies into a robust observing platform for the monitoring of coupled human-natural environments on extended spatial scales has been slow to develop. For this purpose, the authors produced a new cyberinfrastructure for environmental monitoring which successfully merged the use of wireless sensor technologies, grid computing with three-dimensional (3D) geospatial data visualization/exploration, and a secured internet portal user interface, into a working prototype for monitoring mountain-to-sea environments in the high Hawaiian Islands. A use-case example is described in which native Hawaiian residents of Waipa Valley (Kauai) utilized the technology to monitor the effects of regional weather variation on surface water quality/quantity response, to better understand their local hydrologic cycle, monitor agricultural water use, and mitigate the effects of lowland flooding.
Kido
Michael H
MH
Center for Conservation Research and Training, University of Hawaii, 3050, Maile Way, Gilmore 406, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA. mkido@hawaii.edu
Mundt
Carsten W
CW
Montgomery
Kevin N
KN
Asquith
Adam
A
Goodale
David W
DW
Kaneshiro
Kenneth Y
KY
D003195:Computer Communication Networks; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006254:Hawaii