DRI / DIRECTORY / TIM MINOR
Tim Minor Profile Photo
Tim Minor
Hourly Research Scientist GIS/Remote Sensing Emeritus Scholar
Phone 
775-673-7477
Fax 
775-673-7485
E-Mail 
Tim.Minor@dri.edu
Campus 
Reno Campus
Full Resume / CV 
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Division 
Earth and Ecosystem Sciences

Professional Interests

Mr. Minor is a geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing scientist, with backgrounds in geology, biology, computer cartography, image processing, and GIS. His current research interests include the design and analysis of GIS databases to monitor and assess geologic, hydrologic, and ecosystem processes. He conducts image processing research using satellite based remotely sensed data (ASTER, IKONOS, QuickBird, SPOT, LANDSAT, AVHRR, MODIS), as well as airborne based hyperspectral instruments (MASTER, ProSpecTIR, HST, AVIRIS, Probe 1, TIMS) and LIDAR. Mr. Minor has experience and interests in the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and thermal remotely sensed data. He is a FAA-certified Remote Pilot in Command (Part 107 Small UAS).His specific remote sensing interests include the analysis of arid vegetation regimes, invasive species, surface disturbance analysis, impervious cover, and feature extraction using spectral, contextural, and object detection algorithms.

Mr. Minor has been involved in numerous top-down exploration and modeling efforts which integrate GIS and remote sensing to examine groundwater resources, model recharge/runoff parameters in arid environments, assess mountain watershed water quality, monitor invasive species, map impervious cover, forecast desert terrain parameters, and analyze erosional and sediment transport processes. He assists in the maintenance of the Institute’s growing image processing and GIS software requirements and provides technical support for DRI’s GIS software users. Mr. Minor teaches introductory and advanced courses in GIS applications and image processing methods.

Research Areas of Interest and Expertise

  • Hyperspectral and multispectral remote sensing
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • UAS data collection and analysis
  • Watershed modeling
  • Groundwater modeling
  • Arid ecosystems monitoring and assessment
  • Mineral exploration

Recent Research Projects

  • Integrated Terrain Analysis Program (ITAP)
  • Application of UAS multispectral imaging and object detection algorithms for surface target acquisition
  • Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Potential Water Right Acquisitions in the Walker River Basin using a Decision Support Tool
  • Remote Sensing Estimates of Evapotranspiration using remote sensing and GIS
  • Development of Airborne Hyperspectral Imaging Techniques for Invasive Species Detection and Mapping in Northern Nevada
  • Nevada Water Resources Data, Modeling, and Visualization (DMV) Center Development
  • A GIS Method of Extrapolating Groundwater Recharge Estimates Using Integrated Geospatial Data Sets in Southern Nevada
  • Estimation of impervious cover in the Lake Tahoe Basin using remote sensing and GIS
  • Rangeland Evaluation in Fresno County, CA based on Livestock Carrying Capacity modeling using GIS

Education

Degree Year Institution Area
M.A. 1982 University of California, Santa Barbara Geography
B.S. 1980 University of Nevada, Reno Geography
A.A. 1978 Monterey Peninsula College General Education

Keywords

Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing, UAS

 

Publications
2023
Langston, A., MacCabe, S. R., Kielhofer, J., Minor, T. B., Page, D. J., Sion, B. (2023). Technical Report: Geological Terrain and Soils Database and Visualization Tool, 16. Report prepared for U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground under contract W9115121D0004

Rybarski, S. C., Sabol, D. E., Page, D. J., Minor, T. B., Lyles, B. F., Crews, J. B., McDonald, E. V., Sion, B. (2023). Object Detection Algorithms, Multispectral Imaging, and Environmental Characterization for Surface Target Acquisition, 38. Report prepared for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory under contract W913E520C0015

Page, D. J., Minor, T. B., Rybarski, S. C., Jasoni, R. L., Sabol, D. E., Sion, B. (2023). Environmental Conditions Controlling Spatial and Temporal Thermal Contrast of Buried and Above Ground Targets: Base Year Summary of Findings Report, 21. Report prepared for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory under contract W913E520C0015

2019
Sabol, D. E., Page, D. J., Minor, T. B., McDonald, E. V. (2019). Initial Results Estimating Subsurface Soil Moisture Using NDVI and ATI Derived from sUAS Imagery at Temperate Site, U.S. Army Fort Hunter Liggett, CA, 30 pp., Report prepared for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory.

Hartshorn, E. J., Page, D. J., Sabol, D. E., Minor, T. B., McDonald, E. V. (2019). Vehicle Test Course Characterization at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, 14 pp., Report prepared for the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground.

2018
Huntington, J. L., Bromley, M., Morton, C. G., Minor, T. B. (2018). Remote Sensing Estimates of Evapotranspiration from Irrigated Agriculture, Northwestern Nevada and Northeastern California, 38, 41275
https://www.dri.edu/metric-et

Minatre, K. L., Page, D. J., Minor, T. B., Bacon, S. N., McDonald, E. V. (2018). R45 update, Updated Landforms and Surface Cover of Vehicle Endurance Test Courses at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, 183 pp., Report prepared for the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground.

2016
Sabol, D. E., Minor, T. B., McDonald, E. V., Bacon, S. N. (2016). Parent Material Mapping of Geologic Surfaces Using ASTER in Support of Integrated Terrain Forecasting for Military OperationsChapter 20: . In McDonald, E. V., Bullard, T. F. (Eds.), Military Geosciences and Desert Warfare, Past Lessons and Modern Challenges, 311-338. Springer: New York, NY

McDonald, E. V., Bacon, S. N., Bassett, S., Amit, R., Enzel, Y., Minor, T. B., McGwire, K. C., Crouvi, O., Nahmias, Y. (2016). Integrated Terrain Forecasting for Military Operations in Deserts: Geologic Basis for Rapid Predictive Mapping of Soils and Terrain FeaturesChapter : . In McDonald, E. V., Bullard, T. F. (Eds.), Military Geosciences and Desert Warfare, Past Lessons and Modern Challenges, 353-375. Springer: New York, NY

Garner, C. B., Triana, E., Pohll, G. M., Minor, T. B., Carroll, R. W. (2016). Walker River Decision Support Tool: Version 3 Thomas, J. M. (Ed.)

2014
Merenyi, E., Farrand, W. H., Taranik, J. V., Minor, T. B. (2014). Classification of hyperspectral imagery with neural networks: comparison to conventional tools, EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing, 71, 1-19. EURASIP

2013
Sabol, D. E., Taranik, J., Kruse, F., Kratt, C., Minor, T. B., Aslett, Z., Morkin, T. (2013). Final Report: Quantitative Spectral Characterization of Background Spectra Using Full Spectrum Hyperspectral Image Data, 263pp.. the Department of Energy

2011
McGwire, K. C., Minor, T. B., Schultz, B.W. (2011). Progressive Discrimination: An Automatic Method for Mapping Individual Targets in Hyperspectral Imagery, IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 49 (7), 2674-2685, 10.1109/TGRS.2011.2108304

2010
Carroll, R. W., Pohll, G. M., McGraw, D. S., Garner, C. B., Knust, A. M., Boyle, D. P., Minor, T. B., Bassett, S., Pohlmann, K. F. (2010). Mason Valley Groundwater Model: Linking Surface Water and Groundwater in the Walker River Basin, Nevada, Journal of American Water Resources Association, 46 (3), 554-573, 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2010.00434.x

Bacon, S. N., Dalldorf, G. K., McDonald, E. V., Baker, S. E., Sabol, D. E., Minor, T. B., Bassett, S., MacCabe, S. R., Bullard, T. F. (2010). Predictive soil maps based on geomorphic mapping, remote sensing, and soil databases in the desert southwestChapter : . In , 2008 3rd Global Workshop on Digital Soil Mapping: Bridging Research, Production, and Environmental Application

2009
Boyle, D. P., Pohll, G. M., Bassett, S., Minor, T. B., Garner, C. B., Carroll, R. W., McGraw, D. S., Knust, A. M., Barth, C. (2009). Development of a Decision Support Tool in Support of Water Right Acquisitions in the Walker River Basin

Russell, C. E., Mizell, S. A., Minor, T. B. (2009). The Case for an Integrated Chloride Mass-Balance Approach for Estimating Recharge, Journal of Hydrology

2007
Minor, T. B., Russell, C. E., Mizell, S. A. (2007). Development of a GIS-based model for extrapolating mesoscale groundwater recharge estimates using integrated geospatial data sets, Hydrogeology Journal

Russell, C. E., Mizell, S. A., Minor, T. B. (2007). Estimation of groundwater recharge in Steptoe Valley, Nevada, by the elevation-dependent chloride mass-balance approach

2004
Minor, T. B., Cablk, M. E. (2004). Estimation of Impervious Cover in the Lake Tahoe Basin Using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems Data Integration, Journal of Nevada Water Resources Association, 1 (1), 58-75

2003
Cablk, M. E., Minor, T. B. (2003). Detecting and discriminating impervious cover with high-resolution IKONOS data using principal component analysis and morphological operators, Int. J. Remote Sensing, 24 (23), 4627-4645

Minor, T. B., Cablk, M. E. (2003). Estimation of hard impervious cover in the Lake Tahoe Basin using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems, 32 pp.. Final report to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency

2002
Adams, K. D., Minor, T. B. (2002). Historic shoreline change at Lake Tahoe from 1938 to 1998 and its impact on sediment and nutrient loading, Journal of Coastal Research, 18 (4), 637-651

2001
McGraw, D. S., McKay, A., Duan, G., Bullard, T. F., Minor, T. B., Kuchnicki, J. (2001). Water Quality Assessment and Modeling of the California Portion of the Truckee River Basin, DRI Report No. 41170

Pohll, G. M., McGraw, D. S., Ralson, J., Bohm, B., Thomas, J. M., McKay, W. A., Widmer, M., Minor, T. B., Lamorey, G., Dahan, O., Carroll, R. W., Cupp, K., Jacobson, E., McDonald, E. V., Stevick, E., Huntington, J. L. (2001). Evaluation of Groundwater and Solute Transport in the Fernley-Wadsworth Area, DRI Report No. 41173

Forney, W., Richards, L. R., Adams, K. D., Smith, J. R., Rowe, T. G., Minor, T. B. (2001). Assessment of Land Use Change on Water Quality and Ecosystem Health in the Lake Tahoe Basin, Nevada and California, U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report 01-418, 57 p.

2000
McGwire, K. C., Minor, T. B., Fenstermaker, L.F. (2000). Hyperspectral Mixture Modeling for Quantifying Sparse Vegetation Cover in Arid Environments, Remote Sensing of Environment, 72 (3), 360-374, 10.1016/S0034-4257(99)00112-1

1999
Minor, T. B., Lancaster, J. M., Wade, T. G., Wickham, J. D., Whitford, W., Jones, K. B. (1999). Evaluating Change in Rangeland Condition Using Multitemporal AVHRR Data and Geographic Information System Analysis, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 59 (2), 211-223, 10.1023/A:1006126622200

Taylor, K. C., Minor, T. B., Chesley, M. M., Matanawi, K. (1999). Cost Effectiveness of Well Site Selection Methods in a Fractured Aquifer, Groundwater, 37 (2), 271-274

1997
Sander, P., Minor, T. B., Chesley, M. M. (1997). Ground-Water Exploration Based on Lineament Analysis and Reproducibility Tests, Groundwater, 35 (5), 888-894

Taylor, K. C., Englin, J., Minor, T. B. (1997). Use of Advanced Methods to Select Favorable Locations for Water Wells in Ghana: A Final Project Report, DRI Report No. 41159

1996
Taylor, K. C., Chesley, M., Matanawi, K., Minor, T. B. (1996). Selection of Favorable Sites for Shallow Water Wells in Ghana, 30, DRI Report No. 41152

1995
Minor, T. B., Russell, C. E., Chesley, M., Englin, J., Sander, P., Carter, J., Knowles, R., Acheampong, S., McKay, W. A. (1995). Application of Geographic Information System Technology to Water Well Siting in Ghana, West Africa: A Feasibility Study, DRI Report No. 41145

Conference Proceedings
2022
Etyemezian, V. R., Kumar, N., Moosmüller, H., Miller, J., Minor, T. B., McEvoy, D. J. (2022). Cross-Divisional Collaboration. DRI Lunch and Learn, Desert Research Institute: Reno & Las Vegas, Nevada , April 25, 2022, Invited

2019
Hartshorn, E. J., McDonald, E. V., Page, D. J., Sabol, D. E., Minor, T. B. (2019). Evaluation of Military Vehicle Mobility through UAS Photogrammetry and Digital Terrain Modeling. 13th International Conference on Military Geosciences: Padova, Italy

Sabol, D. E., Minor, T. B., Page, D. J., Hartshorn, E. J., McDonald, E. V. (2019). Investigating Remote Measurement of Sub-Surface Soil Moisture for Military Operations. 13th International Conference on Military Geosciences: Padova, Italy

2016
Pohll, G. M., Garner, C. B., Minor, T. B., Triana, E., Carroll, R. W. (2016). Walker River Decision Support Tool and Spatial Database. Desert Terminus Lakes Symposium: University of Nevada, Reno, November 9, 2016-November 10, 2016

2014
Huntington, J. L., Morton, C. G., Bromley, M., Liebert, R. M., Minor, T. B., Allen, R. (2014). Landsat Water Use Mapping of Crop and Phreatophyte Areas in Nevada. Nevada Water Resources Association Fall Symposium: Reno, NV, October 15, 2014-October 16, 2014

2013
Morton, C. G., Huntington, J. L., Allen, R. G., Melton, F., Minor, T. B., Bromley, M., Sullivan, A. (2013). Towards Rapid and Accurate Remote Sensing of Evapotranspiration from Irrigated Lands with Lansat for Improved Hydrologic Modeling, Operations, and Procedures. Nevada Water Resources Association Annual Conference: Reno, NV

2012
Morton, C. G., Huntington, J. L., Minor, T. B., Allen, R., Melton, F. (2012). Improving the Efficiency of Operational ET Estimates using METRIC. Western States ET Workshop 2012: Boise, Idaho

2010
Sabol, D. E., Kruse, F., Aslett, Z., Minor, T. B., Kratt, C., Taranik, J., Morkin, T. (2010). Spatial and Temporal VIS/SWIR/TIR Spectral Variability of Natural Desert Surfaces. 3rd International Symposium on Recent Advancements in Quantitative Remote Sensing: Valencia Spain, September 27, 2010-October 1, 2010

2009
Bacon, S. N., McDonald, E. V., Dalldorf, G., Baker, S. E., Sabol, D. E., Minor, T. B., Bassett, S., MacCabe, S. R., Bullard, T. F. (2009). Predictive terrain hazard maps for military operations in the desert based on geomorphic mapping, remote sensing, and soil databases [abstract], 14. 8th International Conference on Military Geosciences, Abstracts with Programs: Vienna, Austria, June 15, 2009-June 19, 2009

McDonald, E. V., Bacon, S. N., Dalldorf, G., Bullard, T. F., Minor, T. B. (2009). Integrated desert terrain forecasting for military operations: Geologic basis for rapid predictive mapping of soils and terrain features, 92. 8th International Conference on Military Geosciences, Abstracts with Programs: Vienna, Austria, June 15, 2009-June 19, 2009

2008
Bacon, S. N., McDonald, E. V., Dalldorf, G., Baker, S. E., Sabol, D. E., Minor, T. B., Bassett, S., MacCabe, S. R., Bullard, T. F. (2008). An expert based system to predict soil attributes using geomorphic mapping, remote sensing, and soil databases in the desert southwest USA [abstract]. European Geological Union, EGU2008-A-10709; SSS25-1FR5P-0669, Abstract XY0669

Dalldorf, G., Bacon, S. N., McDonald, E. V., Baker, S. E., Sabol, D. E., Minor, T. B., Bassett, S., MacCabe, S. R., Bullard, T. F. (2008). Predictive soil maps based on geomorphic mapping, remote sensing, and soil databases in the desert southwest, 10 p.. 3rd Global Workshop on Digital Soil Mapping, Paper in Session 6.

Bacon, S. N., Dalldorf, G. K., McDonald, E. V., Baker, S. E., Sabol, D. E., Minor, T. B., Bassett, S., MacCabe, S. R., Bullard, T. F. (2008). Predictive soil maps based on geomorphic mapping, remote sensing, and soil databases in the desert southwest. 2008 European Geosciences Union Congress: Vienna, Austria

2007
McDonald, E. V., Bassett, S., Bacon, S. N., Minor, T. B., Bullard, T. F. (2007). Integrated terrain forecasting for military operations: Predicting the location of critical soil conditions using geomorphic image analysis, 22. 7th International Conference on Military Geology and Geography: Quebec, Canada, June 18, 2007-June 21, 2007, Session 9 Soil and Technology, abstract and talk.

2006
McDonald, E. V., Bassett, S., Bacon, S. N., Minor, T. B., Bullard, T. F. (2006). Integrated desert terrain forecasting for military operations, 6 p.. 25th Army Science Conference: Orlando, FL, November 27, 2006-November 30, 2006, Session O Environmental and Engineering Geosciences; OP-14, poster & short paper.

2005
Shafer, D. S., Martin, C., Pohlmann, K. F., Russell, C. E., Ye, M., Engelbrecht, J. P., Minor, T. B., Bishop, L. (2005). Establishing baseline environmental conditions for the proposed Yucca mountain repository, Nevada, U.S.A.: Glasgow, Scotland

2000
Kuchnicki, J., Bullard, T. F., Duan, G., McGraw, D. S., Minor, T. B. (2000). Truckee River Watershed Assessment: Sediment Source Analysis in Support of a TMDL Delineation.: Monterey, CA