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H.-J. Bolle, S. I. Rasool, P. Try
must be compared with the initialization (e.g. surface albedo) and the output of
models (e.g. cloudiness, surface temperature, atmospheric vertical structure, water
vapour distribution). On the other hand remote sensing from space depends on
information on atmospheric structure for corrections. Surface bound vertical
profilers as well as aircraft missions must be integrated in the validation process of
satelli te data.
Furthermore it is very desirable to expand the few available ground based remote
sensing stations into a denser network to measure state variables which cannot with
the required accuracy be inferred from measurements made from space such as areal
precipitation, atmospheric spectral optical depth, aerosol composition, cloud
parameters, water vapour, temperature profiles, trace constituents in the lower
atmosphere. This network should include rain radar stations, profiles of different
kind and remote sensing measurements from aircraft. The information obtained
from such measurements is important on its own but would in addition support the
correct evaluation of satellite data.
Though remote sensing is "only" considered as a tool needed in the other
research areas, it is recommended that the remote sensing community because of its
different approaches tightens cooperation to exchange data, methods, and
experiences. From this basis the communication with other communities would be
much more solid than a cooperation between only, say, one remote sensing group
with limited resources and marginal spatial knowledge and one ground station or
one modelling group. The CTM ERS/RAC probably would be a good starting point
for a communication among remote sensing groups around the Mediterranean sea
but more emphasis has to be laid on the comparison of algorithms, the merging of
high resolution and medium resolution data, the dissemination of remote sensing
data products and their validation with the aid of the network of Anchor Stations,
at which the necessary specific measurements are carried out. These stations still
have to be established and the Mediterranean remote sensing community presently
is far from a true exchange, merging, comparing, and validation of measurements
made from space. It would be specifically useful for a wide users community, if a
data bank of remote sensing research results could be established and maintained by
one of the cooperating institutions.
Strong links should be established with the atmospheric chemistry, pollution and
geo-biochemical cycles community which may contribute to the network of ground
based remote sensing stations as future spacecraft will carry instruments to measure
atmospheric constituents. Furthermore the link to the water cycle community is
mandatory without question. But the correct interpretation of remote sensing
measurements made from space in addition depends strongly on collateral as well
as corroborative measurements made at Anchor Stations by the land oriented
community. These are hydrological measurements such as soil moisture
determinations, albedo measurements, and flux measurements.
In summary, a grouping of five interacting "rings" of , overview able' size circling
around specific research tools would be beneficial to lead the field of Mediterranean
atmospheric and climate research into an "European-North African-Near East
H.-J. Bolle, S. I. Rasool, P. Try
must be compared with the initialization (e.g. surface albedo) and the output of
models (e.g. cloudiness, surface temperature, atmospheric vertical structure, water
vapour distribution). On the other hand remote sensing from space depends on
information on atmospheric structure for corrections. Surface bound vertical
profilers as well as aircraft missions must be integrated in the validation process of
satelli te data.
Furthermore it is very desirable to expand the few available ground based remote
sensing stations into a denser network to measure state variables which cannot with
the required accuracy be inferred from measurements made from space such as areal
precipitation, atmospheric spectral optical depth, aerosol composition, cloud
parameters, water vapour, temperature profiles, trace constituents in the lower
atmosphere. This network should include rain radar stations, profiles of different
kind and remote sensing measurements from aircraft. The information obtained
from such measurements is important on its own but would in addition support the
correct evaluation of satellite data.
Though remote sensing is "only" considered as a tool needed in the other
research areas, it is recommended that the remote sensing community because of its
different approaches tightens cooperation to exchange data, methods, and
experiences. From this basis the communication with other communities would be
much more solid than a cooperation between only, say, one remote sensing group
with limited resources and marginal spatial knowledge and one ground station or
one modelling group. The CTM ERS/RAC probably would be a good starting point
for a communication among remote sensing groups around the Mediterranean sea
but more emphasis has to be laid on the comparison of algorithms, the merging of
high resolution and medium resolution data, the dissemination of remote sensing
data products and their validation with the aid of the network of Anchor Stations,
at which the necessary specific measurements are carried out. These stations still
have to be established and the Mediterranean remote sensing community presently
is far from a true exchange, merging, comparing, and validation of measurements
made from space. It would be specifically useful for a wide users community, if a
data bank of remote sensing research results could be established and maintained by
one of the cooperating institutions.
Strong links should be established with the atmospheric chemistry, pollution and
geo-biochemical cycles community which may contribute to the network of ground
based remote sensing stations as future spacecraft will carry instruments to measure
atmospheric constituents. Furthermore the link to the water cycle community is
mandatory without question. But the correct interpretation of remote sensing
measurements made from space in addition depends strongly on collateral as well
as corroborative measurements made at Anchor Stations by the land oriented
community. These are hydrological measurements such as soil moisture
determinations, albedo measurements, and flux measurements.
In summary, a grouping of five interacting "rings" of , overview able' size circling
around specific research tools would be beneficial to lead the field of Mediterranean
atmospheric and climate research into an "European-North African-Near East