Environmental Resilience Institute researchers are gathering, analyzing, and disseminating data that illustrates how Indiana’s environment is changing. On this page, users can view data tools and resources curated and created by the institute.
Sharing environmental change data for Indiana
ERI Data Platform

The ERI Data Platform is an institute-supported tool that allows users to explore environmental change data in new ways. The platform gives users the ability to overlay national, global, and Indiana-specific datasets, add new data, and navigate to geographic areas of interest.
Note: The ERI Data Platform is best viewed in desktop mode. For accessible materials, contact ERI at eri@iu.edu or 812-855-8539.
See what data is available on the platform
- IndianaMap data and 1998-2018 imagery
IndianaMap is a collection of geographic information layers for the state of Indiana. Datasets cover the following categories: demographics, environment, geology, government, hydrology, and infrastructure. IndianaMap also hosts aerial photographs. - IN.gov Imagery Services
The Indiana State Government hosts several sets of high-resolution images of the Earth’s surface in the Hoosier state. Images are captured via aerial orthophotography and LiDAR technology. The images are made available through an image service. This is when images are stored in a back-end database and are only pulled when they are needed. This cuts down on processing time and memory needs. - IU ArcGIS Online
ArcGIS Online hosts a wide variety of data layers from data providers around the world. Indiana University has an enterprise account with ArcGIS, which makes it easy to find layers produced by IU researchers, students, and affiliates that have published data to ArcGIS Online under IU.
- USGS Species Habitat Maps
These data show suitable habitat for a variety of terrestrial vertebrates. This map does not show the actual occupancy of each species. Rather, it shows where each species could reasonably be found based on what is known about its habitat preferences. This excludes factors that may affect a species’ actual range, such as too much or too little vegetation in a particular area, proximity to humans, or disturbed habitat. - Intact Habitat Cores
This dataset contains over 550,000 minimally disturbed, natural land cover areas (as opposed to developed or agricultural land cover). Each area is at least 100 acres in size and greater than 200 meters wide. A value of suitability (good, better, best) is given for each area. Data were generated using 2011 National Land Cover data. - 2016 National Land Change Database
Developed by the U.S. Geological Survey in partnership with other federal agencies, this data layer illustrates various kinds of land cover. - National Flood Hazard Zones
Computer database with FEMA’s flood hazard map data. - National Terrestrial Ecosystems
Developed by the U.S. Geological Survey in partnership with other federal agencies, this data layer illustrates various kinds of terrestrial ecosystems. - State Geologic Map Compilation
This is a compilation of state-level geologic maps generated by individual U.S. Geological Survey Geologic units. The maps were not reconciled across state boundaries, but they have all been standardized to allow spatial analyses of lithology, age, and stratigraphy at a national scale. - 2016 Tree Canopy
Using Landsat imagery and ground-level data to fill in the gaps, the U.S. Forest Service generated tree canopy cover data for 30m x 30m squares. Values range from 0-100%. - 2016 Impervious Surface
These data show impervious surface coverage for 30m x 30m pixels. Examples of impervious surfaces include roads and buildings. - National Weather Service Precipitation Forecast
Generated by the National Weather Service and updated hourly, these data illustrate the Quantitative Precipitation Forecast for the next 72 hours across the continental United States. Incremental and cumulative precipitation data are displayed in 6-hour intervals. - National Conservation Easement Database
These data illustrate privately owned conservation easement lands (CELs). CELs are the objects of legal agreements between landowners and conservation entities. The purpose of a CEL is to protect areas such as open space or vital wildlife habitats. - Live stream gauges flooding
These data points represent stream gauges. Each stream gauge has a live feed that is fed to the database. If you click on a stream gauge, it will show you the current flow value among other values. - National Hydrography Dataset (NHD)
These data represent naturally occurring and man-made surface water bodies across the United States.
ERI Data

Air Quality in Indianapolis
Project lead: Gabriel Filippelli
View real-time results from an Indianapolis-based network of air quality monitors managed by ERI researchers. The network is part of a global open-data air quality monitoring effort.
View the data
Wildlife Tracking
Project lead: Ellen Ketterson
MOTUS towers track bird movements and migration patterns to help researchers understand how wildlife is adapting to environmental change. This ERI research is part of an international effort, with active stations around the world.
View the data
Hoosier Life Survey
Project leads: Matthew Houser and Eric Sandweiss
The Hoosier Life Survey (HLS) is Indiana’s most comprehensive statewide public-opinion survey on environmental change. From the HLS Opinion Map page, users can view high-level survey results and in-depth analysis on how Hoosiers perceive and respond to environmental change.
View the data
FutureWater
Project lead: Chen Zhu
How will water resources in Indiana change by 2100? This Science Gateway allows users to view surface water forecasts for the Wabash River Basin under different global carbon emissions scenarios to see projected changes in precipitation, soil, and waterways.
View the dataData in progress

Residential Tick Exposure Prevention Project
Project lead: Karo Omodior
ERI researchers are investigating the causes of adverse health outcomes related to tick exposure and how to prevent such exposure. Data from this project will help inform strategies to control tick exposure and prevent disease.
Learn about the project
Urban Green Infrastructure Inventory and Analysis
Project lead: Heather Reynolds
Researchers are creating an inventory of urban forests and other green assets in Indiana. The data will help municipalities understand the benefits of green infrastructure and inform climate resilience planning.
Learn about the project
Project Vector Shield
Project lead: Keith Clay
Researchers are conducting a multi-year surveillance program to monitor the presence of ticks and mosquitoes in Indiana. This dataset will provide information to multiple groups to help protect against new disease threats in Indiana.
Learn about the projectERI Partner Data

IndianaMap
IndianaMap is the largest publicly available collection of Indiana GIS map data. ERI researchers are contributing to the development and maintenance of multiple IndianaMap layers. Researchers and GIS users can download GIS data and metadata for their own purposes.
View IndianaMap
Planet Labs
Through a licensing agreement with Planet Labs, ERI is connecting IU faculty and students with current global satellite imagery to support environmental research. Contact ERI Data Manager Justin Peters for more information.
View Planet data