Cloud atlas uses satellite data to predict where species live

Articles in New Scientist and Discovery News report on a new study by researchers at UB and Yale that found that satellite data about global cloud cover is a useful tool for identifying the size and location of threatened animal and plant habitats, and quotes Adam Wilson, assistant professor of geography at UB. “Sunlight drives almost every aspect of ecology,” he said. “So when you put something in between the sun and plants, that is going to have implications on the amount of energy they are receiving, soil moisture, leaf wetness and humidity – almost everything that is important.” Articles also appeared on Phys Org, Business Standard, Science Blog and Space Daily.  

Read more:

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2082701-cloud-atlas-uses-satellite-data-to-predict-where-species-live/

http://news.discovery.com/earth/cloud-cover-key-to-finding-threatened-species-160331.htm

http://phys.org/news/2016-04-cloud-threatened-habitats.html

http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/clouds-reveal-where-world-s-most-threatened-species-live-116040100663_1.html