Apps - NOWPAP CEARAC [UNEP]

This page introduces web tools of CEARAC as part of its activities to develop new monitoring and assessment tools using marine remote sensing technique.
These tools are developed by Google Earth Engine (GEE), a cloud-based computer platform to help users analyze satellite data and imagery.

Seagrass Mapper

https://mapseagrass.users.earthengine.app/view/seagrassmapper

Seagrass Mapper is a cloud-based web tool to visualize seagrass beds on a map, using satellite imagery and field data.

How to use the app：https://mapseagrass.org/index.php/help/manual

Global Eutrophication Watch

https://eutrophicationwatch.users.earthengine.app/view/global-eutrophication-watch

Global Eutrophication Watch can preliminarily detect the eutrophication or oligotrophication potential of target areas by classifying marine water into six classes; three associated with CHL trends (D-decreasing, N-no trend, and I-increasing) and two with CHL levels (H-high, L-low).

oceantutor

https://www.npec.or.jp/oceantutor/en-index.html

oceantutor is a web app based on Google Earth Engine to support marine education, developed by the Northwest Pacific Environmental Cooperation Center subcontracted by Toyama Prefectural Government.
By using Global Change Observation Mission – Climate “SHIKISAI” (GCOM-C) of JAXA and earth observation satellite Landsat data of NASA, users can find the changes of the marine and coastal environment.

How to use the app：https://www.npec.or.jp/oceantutor/en-index.html

Spring CHL bloom in 2019
Kuroshio meanderings from 2018 to 2021

Spring CHL bloom (high chlorophyll-a concentrations) moves northward from the south in the northwest Pacific from January to December in 2019.
From January to April, the sea area with high chlorophyll-a concentration, which is used as an indicator of phytoplankton, moves northward from the south in the northwest Pacific.
This phenomenon is called “spring CHL bloom,” and it contributes to nurturing marine biodiversity.
By following the steps below, you can replicate the phenomenon within the app.
https://www.npec.or.jp/oceantutor/en-index.html#manu-title7

From January 2018 to December 2021, the warm current Kuroshio meandered largely south of the Kii Peninsula, Japan
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), this large Kuroshio meanderings occurred in September 2017 and has continued by now.
It is well known that Kuroshio meanderings influence on fishery as well as flood disaster and the climate
By following the steps below, you can replicate the phenomenon within the app.
https://www.npec.or.jp/oceantutor/en-index.html#manu-title5

Variations in phytoplankton biomass
SST variations
Comparison of Satellite Images
Time-lapse images

By using the monthly mean of chlorophyll-a on the sea surface, which is captured by JAXA’s SGLI, users can understand variations in phytoplankton biomass in adjacent waters of Japan after 2018.

By using the monthly mean of sea surface temperature (SST) which is captured by JAXA’s SGLIr, users can understand SST variations in adjacent waters of Japan after 2018.

By producing true color composite images for two different periods, based on images captured by NASA’s earth observation satellites, users can compare changes of the earth surface in different areas of the world.

By producing yearly true color composite images of NASA’s Landsat earth observation satellites, users can see time-lapse images to understand variations of the earth surface in different areas of the world.
Clouds are removed from the produced yearly data by Google’s algorithm.