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Preface
The land surface of our earth is home to humankind as well as most of the world's flora and fauna. Though dwarfed by the sea it still covers a vast area: if all Earth's land was put together without the oceans it would form a planet only slightly smaller than Mars.
Amassing land cover data enables researchers to see how it changes over time. Analysis of archived data helps accurately chart the rates that deserts are growing and forests are cleared, a coastline erodes or urban settlements grow. On a more rapid timescale, comparing satellite images can swiftly identify the damage done by disasters such as earthquakes, fires or floods.
Earth observation is essential for monitoring, reporting and verification. Satellite navigation is an important space tool also. Combining radar imagery with a technique called interferometry can identify tiny changes in land surface down to a scale of millimetres: this can be used to monitor urban subsidence as well as the slow movement of tectonic plates and the 'breathing' of volcanoes.
Since satellites are expected to become an increasingly important means of obtaining observations nationally for comparing climate variability and change over different parts of the Earth. And space technology can play fundamental role in addressing climate challenges, now and in the future. With the availability of a number of satellites, India can try to achieve an environmental and climate monitoring system comparable to what we achieved for meteorology, some 25 years ago. These satellites will provide the data necessary to make annually updated country-wide land-cover maps. These maps will be essential for the country to fulfill UN's mandate on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation program especially in the arid and semi-arid areas which are resource-rich.
The severe droughts and accelerated land degradation process of recent years underline India's continuing vulnerability to desertification - threatening the livelihoods of millions of countrymen. Desertification and land degradation is a common problem across our country, because of circumstances in common: similar historical backgrounds, climatic conditions, land use patterns, cultural characteristics and vegetation types. The country needs to develop a common, harmonized information system available to all states affected by desertification and land degradation processes, making it possible to permanently access the data needed to monitor changes as they occur. The World Watch Institute estimates the Earth's landmasses lose up to 24 thousand million tonnes of topsoil annually. Since, our economy is highly dependent on agriculture, so soil is to be considered one of our major natural resources to be efficiently protected so a maximum level of productivity need to be sustained. And our varied climate is such that large parts of the country are sensitive to wild fires.
The good news is that dryland desertification can be remedied or even reversed, using appropriate land management techniques. Forecasting is needed of areas most at risk, and this is what satellites can provide. As well as highlighting any relevant land use change, the view from space can reveal increased surface reflectivity, temperature, dryness and dustiness. Infrared sensors can be used to detect vegetation stress from environmental changes.
With climate change a priority, India needs to develop a joint strategy on space and climate. As part of this, Editor invited experts from the space sector to provide research inputs for contribution. In order to effectively respond to climate change challenges, decision-makers need scientifically based climate knowledge inputs.
Preface
The land surface of our earth is home to humankind as well as most of the world's flora and fauna. Though dwarfed by the sea it still covers a vast area: if all Earth's land was put together without the oceans it would form a planet only slightly smaller than Mars.
Amassing land cover data enables researchers to see how it changes over time. Analysis of archived data helps accurately chart the rates that deserts are growing and forests are cleared, a coastline erodes or urban settlements grow. On a more rapid timescale, comparing satellite images can swiftly identify the damage done by disasters such as earthquakes, fires or floods.
Earth observation is essential for monitoring, reporting and verification. Satellite navigation is an important space tool also. Combining radar imagery with a technique called interferometry can identify tiny changes in land surface down to a scale of millimetres: this can be used to monitor urban subsidence as well as the slow movement of tectonic plates and the 'breathing' of volcanoes.
Since satellites are expected to become an increasingly important means of obtaining observations nationally for comparing climate variability and change over different parts of the Earth. And space technology can play fundamental role in addressing climate challenges, now and in the future. With the availability of a number of satellites, India can try to achieve an environmental and climate monitoring system comparable to what we achieved for meteorology, some 25 years ago. These satellites will provide the data necessary to make annually updated country-wide land-cover maps. These maps will be essential for the country to fulfill UN's mandate on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation program especially in the arid and semi-arid areas which are resource-rich.
The severe droughts and accelerated land degradation process of recent years underline India's continuing vulnerability to desertification - threatening the livelihoods of millions of countrymen. Desertification and land degradation is a common problem across our country, because of circumstances in common: similar historical backgrounds, climatic conditions, land use patterns, cultural characteristics and vegetation types. The country needs to develop a common, harmonized information system available to all states affected by desertification and land degradation processes, making it possible to permanently access the data needed to monitor changes as they occur. The World Watch Institute estimates the Earth's landmasses lose up to 24 thousand million tonnes of topsoil annually. Since, our economy is highly dependent on agriculture, so soil is to be considered one of our major natural resources to be efficiently protected so a maximum level of productivity need to be sustained. And our varied climate is such that large parts of the country are sensitive to wild fires.
The good news is that dryland desertification can be remedied or even reversed, using appropriate land management techniques. Forecasting is needed of areas most at risk, and this is what satellites can provide. As well as highlighting any relevant land use change, the view from space can reveal increased surface reflectivity, temperature, dryness and dustiness. Infrared sensors can be used to detect vegetation stress from environmental changes.
With climate change a priority, India needs to develop a joint strategy on space and climate. As part of this, Editor invited experts from the space sector to provide research inputs for contribution. In order to effectively respond to climate change challenges, decision-makers need scientifically based climate knowledge inputs.