1.Multiple sources contribute; CO2 is primary but not sole
cause
2.Excess nutrients cause eutrophication and dead zones
3.Remote sensing: Satellites measure NDVI (vegetation index), chlorophyll concentrations, and thermal changes from orbit, allowing scientists to assess ecosystem health across large areas and detect problems like deforestation, algae blooms, and ocean warming in near real-time.
REFSTUDY GUIDE: Big IdeasUse to answer form questions
1.Satellites measure invisible wavelengths that reveal ecosystem
health.
Plants reflect near-infrared (NIR) light differently when healthy vs
stressed.
2.NDVI calculates vegetation health from spectral data.
Formula: (NIR - Red)/(NIR + Red); higher values = healthier
plants.
3.Problems from W1-W4 can all be detected via monitoring.
Multi-scale approach: ground sensors -> drones -> satellites.
DRAWKEY TERMSGoogle each → Images tab → sketch what you see
Remote sensing
Collecting data from a distance
NDVI
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index - measures plant health
Spectral analysis
Analyzing light wavelengths
Chlorophyll
Green pigment; reflects NIR when h…
WRITEFOCUS QUESTIONYour initial thinking
How can satellites tell us if an ecosystem is healthy?
NASA's Landsat satellites detected a massive algae bloom in Lake
Erie before anyone on the ground noticed—giving officials 2 weeks to
warn 500,000 people. Satellites can reveal ecosystem health problems
invisible to human eyes!
I think satellites can detect this because...
WRITEAFTER HOOK FORMReflect before continuing
I learned that satellites detect problems by...
Station 1 — Remote Sensing
Satellites detect problems by measuring...
Different scales (ground/drone/satellite) are useful
for...
This connects to the phenomenon because...
Station 1 — Remote Sensing
CHECKPOINT:remote sensing = data
collection from a distance (no contact)
Satellites detect problems by measuring...
Different scales (ground/drone/satellite) are useful
for...
This connects to the phenomenon because...
Station 2 — Monitoring Technology
Different monitoring tools (satellite/drone/ground) are best
for...
Trade-offs include cost vs. coverage vs. resolution...
Multiple tools together help because...
CHECKDAY 1 CHECK-INBefore you leave
Q1:What wavelength does NDVI compare to visible red light to assess
plant health?
Q2:How could satellites help detect algae blooms (W2 eutrophication)
before dead zones form?
Confidence:
Environmental Monitoring & Solutions (Day 2)
Name:
Station 2 — Monitoring Technology
Different monitoring tools (satellite/drone/ground) are best
for...
Trade-offs include cost vs. coverage vs. resolution...
Multiple tools together help because...
Station 3 — Monitoring System Design
CHECKPOINT:multi-scale monitoring =
combining tools at different levels for complete picture
Ground sensors are best for...
Satellites are best for...
Combined systems help detect W1-W4 problems by...
DRAWYOUR MONITORING SYSTEM MODELComplete before exit
Model how satellites monitor ecosystem health: (1)
Ecosystem feature (plants, algae, etc.), (2) Light wavelengths (red vs
NIR), (3) What satellite measures, (4) How data becomes early warning.
Use arrows for flow, labels for each
step.
Include: Ecosystem feature Light wavelengths Satellite with sensor Data analysis step Early warning output
CHECKTEST YOUR THINKINGRate each: FALSE ← 1–2–3–4–5 → TRUE
1. Satellites can only detect what humans can see with our eyes.
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2. NDVI directly measures how much chlorophyll is in a plant.
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3. NDVI works by comparing how plants reflect different wavelengths
of light.
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4. Satellite data gives instant, real-time information.
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5. Combining satellites, drones, and ground sensors provides the
most complete monitoring.
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Defend TWO of your ratings - what do you know that you know?