Short Course on Radar Aeroecology
Please note: There will be NO onsite registration for this course!
Date: 13 September 2015
Location: National Weather Center, Univ. of Oklahoma, 120 David L Boren Blvd., Norman, OK
Description:
Weather radar networks – such as NEXRAD – regularly collect data from biological scatter (bioscatter). Although these data are typically filtered out as non-meteorological signals for weather applications, they provide a valuable means of exploring the multitude of volant animals in the airspace. By establishing stronger linkages between the weather and biological communities, data from bioscatter could conceivably be processed and distributed as higher-order products in the same way that radar data from weather can be used to produce rainfall rates, cloud depth, liquid water content and so forth. Moreover, by better understanding the biological signal, researchers can more effectively identify and remove bioscatter from weather data. The rich data set has yet to be fully explored. This short course aims to help bridge the gap between meteorologists and biologists so they can mutually explore the value of bioscatter data.
The goal of the course is Introduce the concept of aeroecology to the broader meteorological community, examine the scattering properties of airborne biological entities (birds, bats, and arthropods), and examine how weather radar can be used to provide meaningful data pertaining to the distribution and movement of these animals highlight the weather – biological interface.
The course format consists of introductory lectures followed by hands on laboratory sessions with exercises using data and software to be provided.
A coffee break will be provided during the half-day short course. The participants are encouraged to use their own laptops for the course but some computer work stations will be provided. Internet access will be available for this course. Shuttle service will be provided to/from the Embassy Suites and the National Weather Center.
Instructors: Main instructor: Prof. Phillip Chilson, University of Oklahoma. He will be joined by: Prof. Jeffrey Kelly (University of Oklahoma), Prof. Jeffrey Buler (University of Delaware), Dr. Valery Melnikov (NOAA NSSL), and Mr. Kyle Horton (University of Oklahoma).
Information: Please contact P. Chilson at the University of Oklahoma, 120 David L. Boren Blvd., Norman, OK, USA (tel: 405-325-5095, email: [email protected])