60-25 CARMA: Using Ground Based Spectroscopy to Bring Positive Change in the World

Session: 2YC and 4YCU Geoscience Student Research Poster Showcase

Poster Booth No.: 25

Presenting Author:

Kayla Gill

Authors:

Gill, Kayla¹, Thomas, Maura², Anderson, Aidan³, Koch, Claire Isabel⁴, Hawke, Sparrow⁵, Mandavilli, Utkarsh⁶, Sobhani, Barbra Schuessler⁷

Abstract:

The Climate Adaptation and Resilience Monitoring Alliance (CARMA) is a team utilizing NASA’s STELLA (Science and Technology Education for Land/Life Assessment) device to study the impacts of climate change on plant health in a variety of vulnerable environments. By using this technology, CARMA can determine whether a plant is stressed before it shows any visible signs. By measuring the reflectance spectra, STELLA can determine the health of the plant by observing the relative levels of twelve unique Near-Infrared and Visible wavelengths. Ideally, a healthy plant should absorb red light for photosynthesis and reflect high levels of Near-Infrared irradiance. Therefore, when examining a healthy plant, the STELLA should measure high levels of Near-Infrared irradiance as well as green irradiance due to the plant’s chlorophyll, with relatively low levels of red and blue. If a plant is not healthy, then it may not reflect these appropriate levels; this means that while the plant may still appear green to the human eye, there may be something more significant happening beneath the surface. By using a STELLA, researchers can determine the extent to which plants are being affected within their own communities or other areas of interest; by pairing this with Landsat data, they will be able compare general trends with specific point-based measurements over time to paint a full and detailed picture of plant health. Monitoring plant health allows CARMA and other groups within the Alliance to investigate causes of stress including drought, soil health, and agricultural practices. CARMA is testing STELLA in a variety of environments; urban/campus, wildfire impacted areas, state park lands, and rural agricultural lands. A handheld spectrometer like STELLA could allow ranchers and farmers to monitor the conditions of the crops and fields that feed their communities, so CARMA is focusing on a rural ranching property devoted to conservation practices. STELLA was originally intended for educational community science purposes, but it has the potential to contribute to professional research and sustainability efforts. NASA’s mission to educate the youth about the importance of monitoring climate change would be enhanced by continued support of STELLA’s research potential. CARMA is working to provide a variety of datasets and use cases to help guide future use of the STELLA instrument. 

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-7962

© Copyright 2025 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved.