Satellite Data Sharing for Scientific Inter-Group Cooperation Using the Leaflet R Package

Abstract

Satellite observations have revolutionized ocean monitoring and analysis by providing a synoptic view of crucial marine environmental and biological data. By allowing planning of sampling locations based on observed biogeochemical patterns, satellite-based remote sensing data permit rapid and effective sampling of the full range of present conditions. Compared to traditional grid sampling, this technological advance has significantly improved sampling strategies of oceanographic campaigns. Sharing this crucial information in an accessible, user-friendly visual format promotes interdisciplinary research and collaboration. A strategy for such sharing, suggested here, is to integrate satellite data with interactive mapping tools, such as the leaflet, an open-source JavaScript library that can interactively visualize site-specific remote-sensing data. It produces customized maps that, because they are web-based, can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, making them useful for real-time collaboration among remote partners. Here, we demonstrate the practical application of the leaflet R package within the framework of the Tara Europa expedition, the ocean component of the Traversing European Coastlines (TREC) program, which has been using it to visualize satellite-​derived data for selecting sampling stations and showcase its value in aiding researchers’ decision-making.

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