Preface
Climate and other environmental changes are drawing unprecedented concern and
attention from national governments, international organizations, and local
communities. Global warming is leading to noticeable impacts on the environment,
ecosystems, and human livelihoods, all of which carry important implications for
sustainable economic and social development in the future. Satellite observations of
climate and environmental change have become an increasingly important tool in
recent years for helping to shape the response of international communities to this
critical global challenge.
This book includes 21 chapters which present the latest advances in satellite-based
remote sensing of the Earth’s environment ranging from applications and research in
climate, atmospheric science, hydrology, oceanography, geomorphology, ecology,
and fire studies. Introductory chapters also cover key technical aspects such as
instrumentation, calibration, data analysis, and GIS tools for decision-making.
We convey our thanks to all the authors who spent their valuable time to
contribute chapters to this book. We also wish to extend our appreciation to the
anonymous reviewers for their critical and constructive comments and suggestions.
The support from the Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR) of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Environmental
Science and Technology Center (ESTC) of George Mason University (GMU)
is gratefully acknowledged. Special recognition is given to Dr. Xianjun Hao,
Dr. Lilong Zhao, and Mr. Weijie Fu who helped us to edit this book.
We sincerely hope that the contents of this book provide the readers with a better
understanding of climate change monitoring from space and that this book will
serve the needs of scientists and graduate students who are interested in satellite
remote sensing and its applications.
John J. Qu
Alfred M. Powell, Jr.
Mannava V.K. Sivakumar
vii
Climate and other environmental changes are drawing unprecedented concern and
attention from national governments, international organizations, and local
communities. Global warming is leading to noticeable impacts on the environment,
ecosystems, and human livelihoods, all of which carry important implications for
sustainable economic and social development in the future. Satellite observations of
climate and environmental change have become an increasingly important tool in
recent years for helping to shape the response of international communities to this
critical global challenge.
This book includes 21 chapters which present the latest advances in satellite-based
remote sensing of the Earth’s environment ranging from applications and research in
climate, atmospheric science, hydrology, oceanography, geomorphology, ecology,
and fire studies. Introductory chapters also cover key technical aspects such as
instrumentation, calibration, data analysis, and GIS tools for decision-making.
We convey our thanks to all the authors who spent their valuable time to
contribute chapters to this book. We also wish to extend our appreciation to the
anonymous reviewers for their critical and constructive comments and suggestions.
The support from the Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR) of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Environmental
Science and Technology Center (ESTC) of George Mason University (GMU)
is gratefully acknowledged. Special recognition is given to Dr. Xianjun Hao,
Dr. Lilong Zhao, and Mr. Weijie Fu who helped us to edit this book.
We sincerely hope that the contents of this book provide the readers with a better
understanding of climate change monitoring from space and that this book will
serve the needs of scientists and graduate students who are interested in satellite
remote sensing and its applications.
John J. Qu
Alfred M. Powell, Jr.
Mannava V.K. Sivakumar
vii