DISCS - Drought Information 1.1

The smartphone application “Drought Information Supported by Citizen Scientists” (DISCS), developed by researchers at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, aims to enhance the exchange of hydrologic and agricultural data between citizen scientists and the broader scientific community engaged in drought monitoring.

This innovative platform invites users, identified as Citizen Scientists, to contribute valuable insights by sharing photographs of local crop conditions alongside details regarding crop type, health, soil moisture levels, and any notable drought-related impacts. In return for their contributions, users can access their submissions alongside those of other Citizen Scientists.

Furthermore, the app allows users to contextualize their local reports with comprehensive drought information sourced from the U.S. Drought Monitor, recent rainfall statistics from NOAA, and soil moisture data derived from ground sensor readings or advanced NASA modeling techniques. Additionally, users can explore insights related to vegetation health and stress, as monitored by NASA’s extensive satellite constellation.