The Rainforest Trust conservation team is not deterred by a little rain. We work in some of the wettest places on earth and it shows on the satellite images. For years, Google Earth images of our project sites have been obscured by the nearly ever-present rain clouds that keep these bio-diverse areas thriving. For our conservation team, which has come to rely on Google Earth images to survey impacts in and around reserves, as well as examine potential project sites, these clouds are a mixed blessing.

“There are many critically important areas in Colombia and Ecuador that have remained in a state of semi-mystery to us due to the persistence of clouds,” said Dr. Paul Salaman, CEO of Rainforest Trust.  “Trying to peer through those clouds on Google Earth can grow pretty frustrating.”

One evening a few weeks ago, however, Salaman turned on his computer, loaded Google Earth, and was stunned to find the sun shining on all of South America – even on the most rain-choked of mountain ranges.

“I nearly fell out of my seat. This was the view I had been dreaming of for years,” said Salaman.

Salaman’s surprise was the result of Google Earth’s June 26 release of a new, much improved map of the entire earth.

Based upon NASA’s 2002 Blue Marble map of the world, Google’s newly-released map, a massive collage of recent satellite images, offers a level of resolution far beyond the capability of its predecessor. Compared to the old image, which displayed data at half a kilometer per pixel, the new map contains fifteen meters per pixel and offers far greater clarity. According to Google, you would need a piece of paper the size of an average city block to print the 800,000 megapixel image.

To produce the new, clear skies featured on its map, Google patched together sets of cloud-free data.

These new images will have an immediate and profound effect on Rainforest Trust’ conservation efforts.

“For years, we’ve been working in two sites, Las Tangaras and Buenaventura, which are found in the Chocó Region. This area, located near the border of Colombia and Ecuador, is inundated with rain almost all year, and, as a result, the Google Earth images of it have been badly obscured by clouds. So, as far as what was happening on the ground, there wasn’t much we could see. But now, with the new maps, we can examine the reserve without even a wisp of cloud to block the view. The difference is amazing,” Salaman said.

Along with the increase in clarity come updated maps for several parts of the world, as well. Some of these, including remote areas in Brazil that have suffered recent deforestation, will be extremely useful for Rainforest Trust.

“While we know that clandestine logging is probably taking place, without images to prove and pinpoint it we’re limited in what we can do. Now, in a matter of seconds we can scan entire reserve boundaries and keep constant watch on activities in even the most hard-to-reach corners of the globe,” said Salaman.

“This is a huge benefit of satellite images; they give us a glimpse of remote places that would take us days, or sometimes even weeks, to reach otherwise. For decades the lack of good images in the Northern Andes and Chocó Region has been a major concern for conservationists,” he added.
In addition, satellite images also provide conservationists with the perspective needed to grasp large scale land change that can be used to help predict future developments.

“Being on the ground tells you one story, but seeing things from the air can tell you another one. Satellite images help give us a big picture look at the areas we look in. This is crucial because it allows us to see trends in agriculture or grazing and identify areas that are most vulnerable to expansion,” Salaman explained. “That way we get there before the destruction happens.”
Want to learn more? Watch this video: