Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group
![NTSG Logo](images/ntsg-color-logo-initial-only.png)
Welcome to the NTSG
The Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group (NTSG) operates as a Research Center of Excellence under the University of Montana (UM) Office of Research & Creative Scholarship. Founded in 1987 within the UM College of Forestry & Conservation, NTSG is a nexus for UM research and technology development in satellite remote sensing and Earth system science. Our primary mission is to advance knowledge of ecosystem structure, function & resiliency through emerging technologies in remote sensing & computational modeling, grounded in the biophysical sciences. Our facilities are located on the 4th floor of the Interdisciplinary Science Building (ISB) on the UM campus.
Recent Science Highlights
![NTSG research scientist Dr. Arthur K. Endsley is the Principal Investigator of a new NASA-funded computational climate-science curriculum. Image from, Mr. Djamel S. AKLI](https://images.apps.umt.edu/storage/umt/center/373/291/numerical-terradynamic-simulation-group/news/imgs/tops/mr-djamel-s-akli-ath-salem.jpg)
Arthur Endsley heads NASA Open Science Project at University of Montana
![Landscape Explorer Factsheet](https://images.apps.umt.edu/storage/umt/center/373/291/numerical-terradynamic-simulation-group/images/landscape-explorer/landscapeexplorer-factsheet.jpg)
New Landscape Explorer tool released to assist natural resource conservation in the western US
![midnight sun shines across sea ice along the Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, on July 22, 2017. DAVID GOLDMAN/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS](https://images.apps.umt.edu/storage/umt/center/373/291/numerical-terradynamic-simulation-group/news/imgs/globe-mail_warming_permafrost_news.png)
Warming temperatures are turning permafrost regions into carbon sinks, research suggests
NTSG Publications
- Widespread deepening of the active layer in northern permafrost regions from 2003 to 2020
- Fire needs annual grasses more than grasses need fire
- Mapping tree cover expansion in Montana, USA rangelands using high-resolution historical aerial imagery
- Continuity of Global MODIS Terrestrial Primary Productivity Estimates in the VIIRS Era Using Model-Data Fusion
- Widespread spring phenology effects on drought recovery of Northern Hemisphere ecosystems
- Intensified warming and aridity accelerate terminal lake desiccation in the Great Basin of the western United States
- Herbaceous production lost to tree encroachment in United States rangelands
- Pan-Arctic soil moisture control on tundra carbon sequestration and plant productivity
- GLOBAL ARIDIFICATION AND THE DECLINE OF NPP: A COMMENTARY on Projected increases in global terrestrial
net primary productivity loss caused by drought under climate change. - Respiratory loss during late-growing season determines the net carbon dioxide sink in northern permafrost regions
NTSG Data Products
NTSG supports several NASA satellite Earth missions and is a leader in developing operational algorithms, data products and science applications for these missions. We are a NASA Earth Science Information Partner(ESIP), developer and repository for a variety of global land data products from satellite Earth missions, including MODIS (MOD16/17) vegetation productivity and evapotranspiration, AMSR land parameters, and SMAP (L4C) carbon flux products. Access our data through the Projects and Data page.
Research Students
NTSG teaching/instruction emphasizes research training for postdocs and GRAs in the skills needed to become effective research scientists in ecological remote sensing and modeling. These skills include writing competitive research proposals; writing and publishing research papers in peer-reviewed literature; application of geospatial software and computer programming for processing and analyzing large global satellite datasets; management of interdisciplinary research projects and field campaigns. We provide our GRAs and postdoctoral scholars with state-of-the-art remote sensing data and science computing facilities; opportunities for travel, science leadership, and networking, and presenting their work at national and international workshops. For additional information on:
- Graduate Research Assistance positions email NTSG at info@ntsg.umt.edu
- Postdoctoral applications are found on the NTSG Jobs page
- Current class information is found on the NTSG Teaching page
![Alaska CALM Students working on sensor](images/jw_alaska_calm.jpg)