The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) Southwest Region Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) initiative and the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge are using airborne technology with a new level of sophistication to benefit endangered songbirds. Aerial photos and satellite images long have helped the Service determine what habitat to protect for endangered species. Now, Balcones Canyonlands Refuge is using light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology to identify patches of habitat that can best support thriving populations of endangered golden–cheeked warblers and black–capped vireos. The resulting three–dimensional “picture” is helping biologists, wildfire managers and other specialists see how to best protect and restore habitat for the birds.
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