XXII
Preface
It is particularly important to consider data access and data processing for
studying the Global environment and the natural hazards risks (desertification,
flooding areas, volcanic risks, seismic risks, high mountain risks, deforestation and
erosion, sea level variations, atmospheric pollution, paleoenvironment level and
variation etc.). In these matters explanations and predictions 'depend on the
accessibility and the quality of data and methodology, i.e.:
• the diffusion of higher-level methodology (GIS hardware and software)
in image processing,
• the accessibility of higher-level multisensor data products (stereo, VIS,
NIR, MIR, TIR, Radar),
• and the evolution of quality control concerning the integration of in situ
data and remotely sensed data.
To answer these questions, computer and geoscience research are based on both
ground station and remote sensing (RS) data.
One important task is to assure access to these data sets, at all the required
geographical levels, by scientific users in all parts of the world, in the international
computer networks.
CODATA considers that the scientific community must solve the questions of
multiscale analysis, data quality and control and the accessibility of pertinent data
series for all subjects. This could help to answer the following questions:
• Question 1
Concerning satellite remote sensing data, - what kind of data are and
will be available now and in the near future? - Is there an international
data exchange market and an data policy for international scientific
programs such as IGBP?
Concerning space and earth remote sensing research and GIS
applications - are we sure that the data are available on the requested
scale and in time? If we care about the volume of the existing data and
the volume of data really available, we have to care about on-line access
of geo-environmental data.
• Question 2
Concerning operational data for disaster monitoring and hazard
mapping - is it always possible to use, in time, optical and radar
multitemporal satellite data, for the control of landslide, volcanic
terrain, and flooded zones?
Preface
It is particularly important to consider data access and data processing for
studying the Global environment and the natural hazards risks (desertification,
flooding areas, volcanic risks, seismic risks, high mountain risks, deforestation and
erosion, sea level variations, atmospheric pollution, paleoenvironment level and
variation etc.). In these matters explanations and predictions 'depend on the
accessibility and the quality of data and methodology, i.e.:
• the diffusion of higher-level methodology (GIS hardware and software)
in image processing,
• the accessibility of higher-level multisensor data products (stereo, VIS,
NIR, MIR, TIR, Radar),
• and the evolution of quality control concerning the integration of in situ
data and remotely sensed data.
To answer these questions, computer and geoscience research are based on both
ground station and remote sensing (RS) data.
One important task is to assure access to these data sets, at all the required
geographical levels, by scientific users in all parts of the world, in the international
computer networks.
CODATA considers that the scientific community must solve the questions of
multiscale analysis, data quality and control and the accessibility of pertinent data
series for all subjects. This could help to answer the following questions:
• Question 1
Concerning satellite remote sensing data, - what kind of data are and
will be available now and in the near future? - Is there an international
data exchange market and an data policy for international scientific
programs such as IGBP?
Concerning space and earth remote sensing research and GIS
applications - are we sure that the data are available on the requested
scale and in time? If we care about the volume of the existing data and
the volume of data really available, we have to care about on-line access
of geo-environmental data.
• Question 2
Concerning operational data for disaster monitoring and hazard
mapping - is it always possible to use, in time, optical and radar
multitemporal satellite data, for the control of landslide, volcanic
terrain, and flooded zones?