Overview
EarthRanger integrates with Google Earth Engine (GEE) to analyze environmental imagery and generate alerts from satellite data. This article walks you through setting up Google Earth Engine access and then adding a Google Earth Engine Analyzer in EarthRanger Admin.
You will:
- Configure a Google Cloud project for Earth Engine.
- Create a service account and JSON key for EarthRanger.
- Add and activate a Google Earth Engine Analyzer in EarthRanger Admin.
Before you start / Requirements
Make sure you have:
- A Google account you will use for Earth Engine and Google Cloud.
- Access to the Google Cloud Console for your organization.
- Admin access to your EarthRanger Admin site.
- The Earth Engine API enabled in your Cloud project (you’ll do this in Part 1).
Part 1: Configure a Google Cloud Project for Earth Engine
To use Earth Engine with EarthRanger, you must associate your Earth Engine account or service account with a Cloud project.
Part 1: Configure a Google Cloud Project for Earth Engine
To use Earth Engine with EarthRanger, your Earth Engine account (or service account) must be associated with a Google Cloud project.
Step 1: Review Google’s Transition Requirements
Starting November 2024, Earth Engine access is only available through a Cloud project.
If you haven’t yet configured one, visit Google’s official guide:
Transition to Cloud projects for your workflows
That guide covers:
- Creating or connecting a Google Cloud project
- Enabling the Earth Engine API
- Registering the project as commercial or noncommercial
- Associating your account or service account with the project
Tip: Noncommercial users can continue using Earth Engine at no cost after registration.
Step 2: Create or Use an Existing Cloud Project
Follow Google’s Earth Engine Cloud project setup guide.
If you already have an existing project:
- Confirm that you have the required roles and permissions.
- Verify that the Earth Engine API is enabled for the project.
If you need to create a new project:
- Visit the Google Cloud Console.
- Create a project using the same account you use with Earth Engine.
- Enable the Earth Engine API under APIs & Services.
- (Optional) Configure billing if your use is commercial.
- Register your project for Earth Engine use.
Step 3: Create a Service Account and Private Key
EarthRanger connects to Earth Engine through a service account and JSON key.
- In your Cloud project, go to IAM & Admin > Service Accounts.
- Select Create Service Account.
- Assign it a clear name (for example, earthranger-earthengine).
- Grant it the Earth Engine User or equivalent access role.
- Click Done.
- Open the newly created service account and click Keys > Add Key > Create New Key.
- Choose JSON format, then download the key file.
Keep this JSON file secure — you will paste its contents into EarthRanger.
For detailed instructions, see Google’s documentation:
Create and manage service accounts
Part 2: Add a Google Earth Engine Analyzer in EarthRanger
Once your Cloud project and service account are set up, you can configure a Google Earth Engine Analyzer within your EarthRanger site.
Step 1: Navigate to the Analyzer Page
- Log in to your EarthRanger Admin site (https://[sitename].pamdas.org/admin).
- Go to Home > Analyzers > Google Earth Engine Analyzers.
- Select Add Google Earth Engine Analyzer.
Step 2: Configure the Analyzer
Complete the required fields:
| Field | Description |
| Analyzer Name | A unique, descriptive name (e.g., NDVI Drought Monitor). |
| Subject Group |
Choose the group of subjects this analyzer applies to (e.g., Elephants, Vehicles). |
| Active | Check to enable the analyzer. Uncheck to pause it. |
Environmental Analysis Parameters
| Field | Description |
| Threshold Value | Numeric threshold for triggering analysis events (e.g., 0.5). |
| Scale (meters) | Defines spatial resolution of analysis (e.g., 500). |
| Google Earth Engine Image Name | The Earth Engine dataset to analyze (e.g., COPERNICUS/S2). |
| Image Band Name | Band identifier (e.g., B4, NDVI, or b1). |
| Short Description | Optional summary of what this analyzer evaluates. |
Step 3: Add Earth Engine Access Credentials
Under Earth Engine Access, provide your service account details:
- Open the JSON key you downloaded earlier.
- Copy its entire content.
- Paste it into the Earth Engine JSON Key field.
This key authorizes EarthRanger to access the Earth Engine API using your Cloud project credentials.
Step 4: Adjust Advanced Attributes (Optional)
| Field | Description |
| Analysis Time Frame | Duration in hours and minutes for which analysis runs (default 24:00). |
| Quiet Period | Optional override to delay re-triggering analyses. |
| Notes | Add any contextual or configuration notes for future reference. |
Step 5: Save and Validate
- Click Save to create the Analyzer.
- Once saved, verify the analyzer appears in the Google Earth Engine Analyzers list.
- Confirm that the analyzer status is Active.
If configured correctly, EarthRanger will begin using Google Earth Engine imagery to perform environmental analysis for the selected subject group.
Troubleshooting
If the Analyzer is not working as expected, check the following:
- Service account permissions: Confirm the service account still has the Earth Engine User role in the Cloud project.
- Earth Engine API enabled: Verify the API is enabled in APIs & Services for your project.
- JSON key validity: Make sure the full JSON contents were pasted without edits.
- Analyzer Active status: Confirm Active is checked and the Analyzer appears in the list.
Summary
To use Google Earth Engine with EarthRanger:
- Create or link a Google Cloud project and enable the Earth Engine API.
- Create a service account and download its JSON key.
- Add the key and dataset parameters in the Google Earth Engine Analyzer form.
This setup allows EarthRanger to access and analyze remote sensing data from Google Earth Engine, providing powerful environmental insights alongside your existing tracking data.
Continue with: Connect Personal inReach Devices to EarthRanger