New Mexico Geological Society Annual Spring Meeting — Abstracts

The purpose of this multidisciplinary study is to evaluate changes in land use practices pertaining to cultural development since early 1970s in the Upper Pecos Valley in Northern New Mexico, USA. The investigations will consider historic patterns in the progression of land management practices, political events, and agricultural development using Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing techniques. A comparative investigation from a series of satellite imagery will be used to examine changes in the land use and conditions of the study sites over time. Landsat satellite images from the 1970s to present will provide multispectral measurements of vegetation coverage and vegetation health in both growing and non-growing sessions. Changes to the local environmental conditions in the area will also be evaluated using records of climate, precipitation, stream gage data, oral history, and historical records. The need to develop a further understanding of the Pecos River Valley in North Central New Mexico and its land use practices will aid in conservation efforts and development of this physical and cultural landscape. Study results will also be used to demonstrate the local community the value of modern science investigations in addressing local concerns. In addition, the results from this study will be integrated in to the Ribera Community Cultural Center and Pecos Historic Park.The purpose of this multidisciplinary study is to evaluate changes in land use practices pertaining to cultural development since early 1970s in the Upper Pecos Valley in Northern New Mexico, USA. The investigations will consider historic patterns in the progression of land management practices, political events and agricultural development using Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing techniques. Landsat satellite images will provide multispectral measurements to interpret vegetation coverage and health in both growing and non-growing sessions. Conditions of change in the area will also be evaluated using records of climate, participation, stream gauges, oral history and historical records. Further understanding of land use practices will aid in conservation efforts and development of this physical and cultural landscape. Study results will also be used to demonstrate the local community the value of modern science investigations in addressing local concerns.