Explore
The GLARS Data Viewer allows individuals to review and download the free GLARS partner Great Lakes Basin products. The list of available data and supporting layers displayed in the map based GLARS Data Viewer can be found below.
Click on the product name to review associated metadata. In several instances example displays of the respective data are also available.
Access to the metadata is also available from inside the GLARS Data Viewer by clicking on the contact icon for the respective layer.
In addition to the metadata descriptions provided using the links on this page, an additional breakout page provides information on underlying scientific values used on the respective maps. You can access that information by clicking here.
To download data, visit the View and Download page for instructions and the GLARS Data Viewer access link.
GLARS Digital Surface Model Strips
Digital Surface Model (DSM) strips are derived from commercial satellite imagery where pairs of images from the same time period are available. The “Number of Available Strips” is a heatmap which shows the raw number of individual DSM strips available for download for a location using the GLARS Data Map. All other entries in this section are indexes of DSM strips which show the boundaries and dates for individual strips, and enable download of each chosen strip and its related information. (Partners: SharedGeo, Polar Geospatial Center)
GLARS 2 Meter Elevation Mosaics
Digital Surface Model Mosaics are products where data from DSM strips have been combined in time and space to create a contiguous view of median elevation values over a region and time period. Some of these mosaics use only data from summer (leaf-on) or winter (leaf-off) months, which can enable analysis of vegetation type. Median Absolute Deviation (MAD) values, an indicator of the variability in elevation between dates, are also available for each mosaic. A composite of available US Lidar products is also included and can serve as a reference for vegetation height. (Partners: SharedGeo, Polar Geospatial Center)
GLARS Wetlands Maps
Much of the GLARS partner efforts has been focused on how to combine the many types of remote sensing data available and use them to produce useful information about wetlands. This section shows where these products are available over the multiple study areas, and allows users to browse and compare results from many dates. These products can also be downloaded through the Index layers for each type of data. (Partners: MTRI, RSGAL, with data from SharedGeo/Polar Geospatial Center and other sources)
GLARS Baseline Project Areas
Outlines of GLARS project areas used for wetlands studies.
Wetland Reference Maps
Many previous studies have been done to estimate and evaluate wetlands in the Great Lakes Basin. Most of these were done at a coarser resolution than those produced by recent GLARS partner efforts. This collection of datasets provides an opportunity to compare the current GLARS work with past Great Lakes Basin monitoring efforts.
Boundaries
Several boundary options are available that can be used for reference and for selecting data, using the map’s drawing and selection tools.
Basemaps
Three different basemaps are available which can be used to reference data. Default opening map is OpenStreetMap – Mapnik.
Acknowledgement Policy
Official documentation for citing and acknowledging GLARS product support.