satellite remote sensing and gis applications in...

Satellite Remote Sensing and GIS Satellite Remote Sensing and GIS Satellite Remote Sensing and GIS Satellite Remote Sensing and GIS Applications in Agricultural MeteorologyApplications in Agricultural MeteorologyApplications in Agricultural MeteorologyApplications in Agricultural Meteorology

and WMO Satellite Activitiesand WMO Satellite Activitiesand WMO Satellite Activitiesand WMO Satellite ActivitiesM.V.K. Sivakumar and Robert Stefanski, M.V.K. Sivakumar and Robert Stefanski, M.V.K. Sivakumar and Robert Stefanski, M.V.K. Sivakumar and Robert Stefanski,

Agricultural Meteorology DivisionAgricultural Meteorology DivisionAgricultural Meteorology DivisionAgricultural Meteorology Division

and and and and

Donald E. Hinsman, Satellite Activities OfficeDonald E. Hinsman, Satellite Activities OfficeDonald E. Hinsman, Satellite Activities OfficeDonald E. Hinsman, Satellite Activities Office

World Meteorological OrganizationWorld Meteorological OrganizationWorld Meteorological OrganizationWorld Meteorological Organization

• AgriculturalAgriculturalAgriculturalAgricultural planningplanningplanningplanning andandandand useuseuseuse ofofofof agriculturalagriculturalagriculturalagricultural technologiestechnologiestechnologiestechnologiesneedneedneedneed applicationsapplicationsapplicationsapplications ofofofof agriculturalagriculturalagriculturalagricultural meteorologymeteorologymeteorologymeteorology....

• AgriculturalAgriculturalAgriculturalAgricultural weatherweatherweatherweather andandandand climateclimateclimateclimate datadatadatadata systemssystemssystemssystems arearearearenecessarynecessarynecessarynecessary totototo expediteexpediteexpediteexpedite generationgenerationgenerationgeneration ofofofof products,products,products,products, analysesanalysesanalysesanalysesandandandand forecastsforecastsforecastsforecasts thatthatthatthat affectaffectaffectaffect::::�Agricultural cropping and management decisions,

�Irrigation scheduling, commodity trading and markets,

�Fire weather management and other preparedness for

calamities , and

�Ecosystem conservation and management.

Introduction

i Agrometeorological station networks are designed toobserve the data of meteorological and biologicalphenomena together with supplementary data as disastersand crop damages occur.

i The method of observation can be categorized into twomajor classes, manually observed and automated datacollection stations.

Introduction (contd.)Introduction (contd.)Introduction (contd.)Introduction (contd.)

i A third source for agrometeorological data that is gaining

recognition for its complementary nature to the traditional

methods is satellite remote sensing technology.


i Remotely sensed data and AWS systems provide anenhanced and very feasible alternative to manual observationfor a very short time span between data collection andtransmission.

i Availability of new tools such as Geographic InformationSystems (GIS) enables management of an incredible quantityof data such as traditional digital maps, database, modelspossible.


i The advantages are manifold and highly important,especially for the fast cross-sector interactions and theproduction of synthetic and lucid information for decision-makers.

i Remote sensing provides the most important informativecontribution to GIS, which furnishes basic informative layersin optimal time and space resolutions.


The Commission for Agricultural Meteorology The Commission for Agricultural Meteorology The Commission for Agricultural Meteorology The Commission for Agricultural Meteorology (CAgM) of WMO, Remote Sensing and GIS(CAgM) of WMO, Remote Sensing and GIS(CAgM) of WMO, Remote Sensing and GIS(CAgM) of WMO, Remote Sensing and GIS

i Agricultural meteorology had always been an importantcomponent of the National Meteorological Services since theirinception.

i A formal Commission for Agricultural Meteorology (CAgM)which was appointed in 1913 by the InternationalMeteorological Organization (IMO), became the foundation ofthe CAgM under WMO in 1951.

i The WMO Agricultural Meteorology Programme is coordinatedby CAgM.

CAgM, Remote Sensing and GIS (contd.)CAgM, Remote Sensing and GIS (contd.)CAgM, Remote Sensing and GIS (contd.)CAgM, Remote Sensing and GIS (contd.)

i The Commission is responsible for matters relating toapplications of meteorology taking into account newdevelopments in the scientific and practical fields and thedevelopment of agricultural meteorological services ofMembers by transfer of knowledge and methodology and byproviding advice.

i CAgM recognized the potential of remote sensing applicationsin agricultural meteorology early in the 70s.


i At its sixth session in Washington in 1974, CAgM agreed on theimportance of studies on the application of remote sensingtechniques to agrometeorological problems and decided toappoint a rapporteur to study the existing state of theknowledge of remote sensing techniques and to review itsapplication to agrometeorological research and services.

i At its seventh session in Sofia, Bulgaria in 1979, theCommission reviewed the report submitted by Dr A.D.Kleschenko (USSR) and Dr J.C. Harlan Jr (USA) and noted thepromising future for the use in agrometeorology of data fromspacecraft and aircraft and that rapid progress in this fieldrequired exchange of information on achievements inmethodology and data collection and interpretation.


i The Commission at that time noted that there was a demand inalmost all countries for a capability to use satellite imagery inpractical problems of agrometeorology.

i The Commission continued to pay much attention to both remotesensing and GIS applications in agrometeorology in all itssubsequent sessions up to the 13th session held in Ljubljana,Slovenia in 2002.


i At the session in Slovenia in 2002, the Commission convened anExpert Team on Techniques (including Technologies such asGIS and Remote Sensing) for Agroclimatic Characterization andSustainable Land Management.


i Training of technical personnel to acquire, process and interpretthe satellite imagery was a major task. Acquisition of satellitedata was usually much easier than the interpretation of data forspecific applications that were critical for the assessment andmanagement of natural resources.

i Long-term planning and training of technical personnel was akey ingredient in ensuring full success in the use of current andfuture remote sensing technologies that could increase andsustain agricultural production, especially in the developingcountries.

CAgM, Remote Sensing and GIS (contd.)CAgM, Remote Sensing and GIS (contd.)CAgM, Remote Sensing and GIS (contd.)CAgM, Remote Sensing and GIS (contd.)i WMO already organized a Training Seminar on GIS and

Agroecological Zoning in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in May 2000in which six participants from Malaysia and 12 from other Asianand the South-West Pacific countries participated.

i The programme for the seminar dealt with meteorological andgeographical databases, statistical analyses, spatialization,agro-ecological classification, overlapping of agroecologicalzoning with boundary layers, data extraction, monitoringsystem organization and bulletins.

i The training workshop organized in Dehradun was in responseto the recommendations of the Commission session inSlovenia in 2002 and helped participants from the Asiancountries in learning new skills and updating their current skillsin satellite remote sensing and GIS applications in agriculturalmeteorology.

CAgM, Remote Sensing and GIS (contd.)CAgM, Remote Sensing and GIS (contd.)CAgM, Remote Sensing and GIS (contd.)CAgM, Remote Sensing and GIS (contd.)i Useful publications of CAgM:

– Use of remote sensing for obtaining agrometeorologicalinformation (Kleschenko, 1983),

– Operational remote sensing systems in agriculture (Kanemasuand Filcroft, 1992),

– Satellite applications to agrometeorology and technologicaldevelopments for the period 1985-89 (Seguin, 1992),

– Statements of guidance regarding how well satellitecapabilities meet WMO user requirements in agrometeorology(WMO,1998, 2000) etc.,

GIS applications in GIS applications in GIS applications in GIS applications in AgrometeorologyAgrometeorologyAgrometeorologyAgrometeorology

GIS applications in AgrometeorologyGIS applications in AgrometeorologyGIS applications in AgrometeorologyGIS applications in Agrometeorologyi A GIS generally refers to a description of the characteristics and

tools used in the organization and management of geographicaldata.

i The term GIS is currently applied to computerised storage,processing and retrieval systems that have hardware andsoftware specially designed to cope with geographicallyreferenced spatial data and corresponding informative attribute.

i Spatial data are commonly in the form of layers that may depicttopography or environmental elements.

Application of Crop Yield ModelBy GIS Grid Cells

ModelInitialization

ModelDrivers

Crop YieldsModelOutput

Solar Radiation

Leaf Area IndexCrop Phenology

LandcoverClassification

RainfallTemperatureHumidity, etc

Soil Moisture

GIS applications in AgrometeorologyGIS applications in AgrometeorologyGIS applications in AgrometeorologyGIS applications in Agrometeorology

i Nowadays, GIS technology is becoming an essential tool forcombining various map and satellite information sources inmodels that simulate the interactions of complex naturalsystems.

i A GIS can be used to produce images, not just maps, butdrawings, animations, and other cartographic products.

GIS applications in AgrometeorologyGIS applications in AgrometeorologyGIS applications in AgrometeorologyGIS applications in Agrometeorology

GIS applications in Agrometeorology (contd.)GIS applications in Agrometeorology (contd.)GIS applications in Agrometeorology (contd.)GIS applications in Agrometeorology (contd.)

i The increasing population, coupled with growing pressure on theland resources, necessitates the application of technologies suchas GIS to help maintain a sustainable water and food supplyaccording to the environmental potential.

i “Sustainable rural development” concept envisages anintegrated management of landscape, where the exploitation ofnatural resources, including climate, plays a central role.Agrometeorology can help reduce inputs and quantify thecontribution of ecosystems and agriculture to carbon budget.


i Agroclimatological analysis can improve the knowledge ofexisting problems for land planning and optimization of resourcemanagement.

i One of the most important agroclimatological applications is theclimatic risk evaluation corresponding to the possibility thatcertain meteorological events could happen, damaging crops orinfrastructure.

GIS applications in Agrometeorology (contd.)GIS applications in Agrometeorology (contd.)GIS applications in Agrometeorology (contd.)GIS applications in Agrometeorology (contd.)i At the national and local level, possible GIS applications are

endless. For example, agricultural planners might usegeographical data to decide on the best zones for a cash crop,combining data on soils, topography, and rainfall to determine thesize and location of biologically suitable areas.

i The final output could include overlays with land ownership,transport, infrastructure, labour availability, and distance tomarket centres.

i The ultimate use of GIS lies in its modelling capability, using realworld data to represent natural behaviour and to simulate theeffect of specific processes.


i Modelling is a powerful tool for analyzing trends and identifyingfactors that affect them, or for displaying the possibleconsequences of human activities that affect the resourceavailability.

i In addition to classical applications of agrometeorology, such ascrop yield forecasting, uses such as those of the environmentaland human security are becoming more and more important.

i For instance, an effective forest fire prevention needs a series ofvery detailed information on an enormous scale. The analysis ofdata, such as the vegetation coverage with different levels ofinflammability, the presence of urban agglomeration, thepresence of roads and many other aspects, allows the mappingof the areas where risk is greater.


i The use of other informative layers, such as the position of the

control points and resource availability (staff, cars, helicopters,

aeroplanes, fire fighting equipment, etc.), can help the decision-

makers in the management of the ecosystems.

i Monitoring the resources and the meteorological conditions

therefore allows, the consideration of the dynamics of thesystem, with more adherence to reality.

Informative layers for the evaluation of fire risk index (Maracchi et al. 2000)

Satellite Remote SensingSatellite Remote SensingSatellite Remote SensingSatellite Remote Sensing

Pioneers in modern atmospheric science helped pave the wayPioneers in modern atmospheric science helped pave the wayPioneers in modern atmospheric science helped pave the wayPioneers in modern atmospheric science helped pave the way

i V2 Rocket photographic V2 Rocket photographic V2 Rocket photographic V2 Rocket photographic montagemontagemontagemontage

i J. Bjerknes performed J. Bjerknes performed J. Bjerknes performed J. Bjerknes performed synoptic analyses using synoptic analyses using synoptic analyses using synoptic analyses using pictures such as this in 1948: pictures such as this in 1948: pictures such as this in 1948: pictures such as this in 1948: likely the first serious attempt likely the first serious attempt likely the first serious attempt likely the first serious attempt to analyze the atmosphere to analyze the atmosphere to analyze the atmosphere to analyze the atmosphere from “space”from “space”from “space”from “space”

i (WMO formed in 1950)(WMO formed in 1950)(WMO formed in 1950)(WMO formed in 1950)

SATELLITES AND THE WWW

UN Resolution No. 1721 for “international co-

operation in the peaceful uses of outer space”

approved 20 December 1961

•Advent of satellites offered substantial

opportunities for improvements in

meteorological services

•Called on WMO to lead a study and report

on recommendations of the UN Resolution

Report delivered in June 1962

•“First report on the advancement of

atmospheric sciences and their application

in the light of developments in outer space”

•Birth of World Weather Watch

On April 1, 1960 the first U.S. weather

satellite was launched from Cape

Canaveral, FL

On April 1, 1960 the first U.S. weather satellite

was launched from Cape Canaveral, FL

�First TIROS television vidicon pictures

presented several challenges

�Image rectification

�Navigation

�Cloud type identification

�Calibration

Uniqueness of Environmental SatellitesUniqueness of Environmental SatellitesUniqueness of Environmental SatellitesUniqueness of Environmental Satellites

• The ability of certain satellites to view a major portion of theatmosphere continually from space makes them particularly wellsuited for the monitoring and warning of short-lived meteorologicalphenomena; and

• The advanced communications systems developed as anintegral part of the satellite technology permit the rapidtransmission of data from the satellite, or their relay from automaticstations on earth and in the atmosphere, to operational users.

Uniqueness of Environmental Satellites (contd.)Uniqueness of Environmental Satellites (contd.)Uniqueness of Environmental Satellites (contd.)Uniqueness of Environmental Satellites (contd.)These factors are incorporated in the design of meteorologicalsatellites to provide data, products and services through three majorfunctions:

�Remote sensing of spectral radiation which can be converted into meteorologicalmeasurements such as cloud cover, cloud motion vectors, surface temperature,vertical profiles of atmospheric temperature, humidity and atmosphericconstituents such as ozone, snow and ice cover, ozone and various radiationmeasurements;

�Collection of data from in situ sensors on remote fixed or mobile platformslocated on the earth's surface or in the atmosphere; and

�Direct broadcast to provide cloud-cover images and other meteorologicalinformation to users through a user-operated direct readout station.

Satellite Remote SensingSatellite Remote SensingSatellite Remote SensingSatellite Remote Sensingi Remote sensing provides spatial coverage by measurement of

reflected and emitted electromagnetic radiation, across a widerange of wavebands, from the earth's surface and surroundingatmosphere.

i Improvements in technical tools of meteorological observation,have created a favourable substratum for research andmonitoring in many applications such as agriculture and forestry.

Satellite Remote SensingSatellite Remote SensingSatellite Remote SensingSatellite Remote Sensing

i Each waveband provides different information about theatmosphere and land surface: surface temperature, clouds, solarradiation, processes of photosynthesis and evaporation, whichcan affect the reflected and emitted radiation, detected bysatellites.

i The challenge for research therefore is to develop new systemsextracting this information from remotely sensed data, giving tothe final users, near-real-time information.

Satellite Remote Sensing (contd.)Satellite Remote Sensing (contd.)Satellite Remote Sensing (contd.)Satellite Remote Sensing (contd.)i Over the last two decades, the development of space technology

has led to a substantial increase in satellite earth observationsystems.

i Simultaneously, the Information and Communication Technology(ICT) revolution has effectively increased the processing of datafor specific uses and their instantaneous distribution on theWorldWide Web (WWW).

i The global meteorological community are now able to takeadvantage of a wealth of observational data, product andservices flowing from specially equipped and highlysophisticated environmental observation satellites.

Satellite Remote Sensing (contd.)Satellite Remote Sensing (contd.)Satellite Remote Sensing (contd.)Satellite Remote Sensing (contd.)i An environmental observation satellite is an artificial Earth

satellite providing data on the Earth system and ameteorological satellite is a type of environmental satelliteproviding meteorological observations.

• An environmental satellite can provide a regular supply of data from those areas of the globe yielding very few conventional observations;

• The atmosphere is broadly scanned from satellite altitude and enables large-scale environmental features to be seen in a single view;

Nominal configuration of the space-based

sub-system of the Global Observing

System in 1978

Geostationary spacecrafti Geostationary satellites provide a continuous view of weather

systems making them invaluable in following the motion,development, and decay of such phenomena.

i They operate in the equatorial belt and give a continuous view ofthe weather from roughly 70°N to 70°S.

i Each geostationary satellite’s instruments covers about ¼ of theplanet almost continuously and there are now six geostationarysatellites providing a combined coverage of almost 75%.

i Even short-term events such as severe thunderstorms, with alife-time of only a few hours, can be successfully recognized intheir early stages and appropriate warnings can be quicklyprovided to the general public. This capability has been theprimary justification for the geostationary spacecraft.

Polar orbiting satellitesi Since 71% of the Earth's surface is water and even land areas

have many sparsely inhabited regions, the polar-orbitingsatellite system provides the data needed to compensate thedeficiencies in conventional observing networks.

i Spacecraft is able to acquire data from all parts of the globe inthe course of a series of successive revolutions.

i For these reasons the polar-orbiting satellites are principallyused to obtain: (a) daily global cloud cover; and (b) accuratequantitative measurements of surface temperature and thevertical variation of temperature and water vapour in theatmosphere.

i Most polar satellite instruments observe the entire planet onceor twice in a 24-hour period.

Satellite Remote SensingSatellite Remote SensingSatellite Remote SensingSatellite Remote Sensingi By 2000, WMO Members contributing to the space-based sub-

system of the Global Observing System had grown.

i The geostationary and polar-orbiting satellites are the two majorsystems in the space-based Global Observing System (GOS).

i 40 years after the first earth images, new systems are still beingdesigned and implemented, illustrating the continued and dynamicinterest in this unique source of environmental data.

40 Years Later40 Years Later40 Years Later40 Years Lateri Observations are provided by both low earth orbiting (mainly

polar for global observing) and geostationary satellites (maximizing the temporal domain)

i We utilize many portions of the electromagnetic spectrum�Ultraviolet – Ozone profiling and monitoring�Visible and Infrared - Observing various atmospheric,

oceanic and land related properties�Microwave – active and passive observations of sea

state, land properties, precipitation, and diagnosing atmospheric thermodynamic structure

Satellite data for meteorology

i Satellite data provide better coverage in time and in area extentthan any alternative and cover the world’s oceans, deserts,forests, polar regions, and other sparsely inhabited places.

i Surface winds over the oceans from satellites are comparable toship observations; ocean heights can be determined to a fewcentimetres; and temperatures in any part of the atmosphereanywhere in the world are suitable for computer models.

Satellite data for meteorology

i The existing network of environmental satellites, forming part ofthe GOS of the World Weather Watch produces real-timeweather information on a regular basis. This is acquired severaltimes a day through direct broadcast from the meteorologicalsatellites by more than 1,300 stations located in 125 countries.

i This added data source is one of the factors in the increasedaccuracy of daily weather forecast (1-5 day) over the past severaldecades.

WMO Satellite ActivitiesWMO Satellite ActivitiesWMO Satellite ActivitiesWMO Satellite ActivitiesThe World Meteorological Organization, a specialized agency ofthe United Nations, has a membership of 187 states and territories(as of June 2003). Amongst the many programmes and activitiesof the organization, there are three areas which are particularlypertinent to the satellite activities:

�To facilitate world-wide cooperation in the establishment ofnetworks for making meteorological, as well as hydrological andother geophysical observations and centres to providemeteorological services;

�To promote the establishment and maintenance of systems forthe rapid exchange of meteorological and related information;

�To promote the standardization of meteorological observationsand ensure the uniform publication of observations and statistics.

Coordination group for meteorological satellites (CGMS)Coordination group for meteorological satellites (CGMS)Coordination group for meteorological satellites (CGMS)Coordination group for meteorological satellites (CGMS)

i In 1972 a group of satellite operators formed the Co-ordinationof Geostationary Meteorological Satellites (CGMS) that wouldbe expanded in the early 1990s to include polar-orbitingsatellites and changed its name - but not its abbreviation - to theCo-ordination Group for Meteorological Satellites.

i CGMS provides a forum for the exchange of technicalinformation on geostationary and polar orbiting meteorologicalsatellite systems, such as reporting on current meteorologicalsatellite status and future plans, telecommunication matters,operations, inter-calibration of sensor, processing algorithms,products and their validation, data transmission formats andfuture data transmission standards.

WMO Space Programme

• Created in May 2003 by the 14th WMO Congress, it is a cross-cutting programme to increase the effectiveness and contributions from satellite systems to WMO programmes

• Guiding principles: optimization of the space-based system andthe use of existing WMO structures fundamental

• Coordinates between operational and R&D space agencies insuch areas as frequency coordination, orbit coordination includingequator crossing-times, standardization of data formats,standardization of user stations

WMO Space Programme (contd.)i Regional workshops to make WMO Members aware of new

capabilities

i Education and training events for R&D satellite data andproducts

i Workshops to identify selected instruments for transition fromR&D to operational

i Recognition of the importance or R&D satellite data in meetingWMO observational data requirements and the subsequentdevelopment of a set of Guidelines for requirements forobservational data from operational and R&D satellite missions.

Space-based sub-system of the Global Observing System in 2003

ConclusionsConclusionsConclusionsConclusionsi Recent developments in remote sensing and GIS hold much

promise to enhance integrated management of all availableinformation and the extraction of desired information to promotesustainable agriculture and development. To this end it isimportant to reinforce training in these new fields.

i The promotion of new specialised software should make theapplications of the various devices easier by integratingseveral types of data inputs from standard networks, radar andsatellites, meteorological and climatological models, digitalcartography and crop models based on the scientific acquisitionof the last twenty years.

i International cooperation is crucial to promote the muchneeded applications in the developing countries and the WMOSpace Programme actively promotes such cooperation.

satellite remote sensing and gis applications in...

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