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M. Ahmed and V. Barale
absolute value cannot be accurate, such a distinction in blooming time suggests the
existence of site-specific ecosystem dynamics in each area, as if different forcing
functions induced different reactions at the sub-regional scale.
19.5 Conclusions
The integrated management of enclosed and coastal waters is a dynamical process,
in which boundary conditions, problems to be solved and required approaches are
changing continuously. Systematic monitoring, or at least a series of periodic assessments, is indispensable in order to make executive decisions at the proper time. RS
(and GIS) techniques can help collect (and merge) data required by decision-makers.
In recent years, such techniques have become an increasingly important element of
many programs about the coastal area of northeastern Egypt, aiming both at addressing environmental change and supporting sustainable development. As summarized
in the present review, information derived from (optical) RS indicate that the major near-coastal water bodies considered here have suffered intensive anthropogenic
damages, possibly related to draining and land reclamation, uncontrolled urbanization and related waste dumping, aquaculture and even recreational uses. As the local
population was expanding exponentially, most of these activities led to severe environmental problems, aggravating natural degradation processes and threatening the
very existence of these fragile near-coastal ecosystems.
Knowledge of the basic ecosystem indicators provided by satellite observations—
albeit with the limitations inherent in this technique, often due to the less-than-ideal
spatial, temporal and spectral resolutions of the available orbital systems—is considered an important contribution to a sound decision-making process. The test cases
above originate from a wide body of existing scientific and technical literature, based
on RS (and GIS) applications and related in situ validation campaigns, which illustrate the ongoing efforts to gain an ecological understanding of the coastal and lagoon
environments. Combining the potential of RS techniques with other indispensable
information sources, the initial steps shown here will lead to the establishment of
an integrated management program, ensuring both the protection of natural systems
and the sustainability of human activities.
Acknowledgements The authors wish to express their gratitude to the many Colleagues from the
Marine Sciences Department, National Authority Remote Sensing and Space Sciences (NARSSS),
Cairo, Egypt, and from the Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES), Joint Research Centre
(JRC) of the European Commission (EC), Ispra, Italy, who contributed to the research activities
summarized in the present paper. Work at IES, JRC EC, was carried out as part of the Framework
Programme 7 (FP7) JRC Action no. 21203 “Protection and Conservation of the European Seas”
(PROCAS). Some of the data analyses and visualizations used in this paper were produced with the
online data services featured by the Goddard Earth Sciences (GES) and Data Information Services
Center (DISC) Interactive Online Visualization ANd aNalysis Infrastructure (GIOVANNI), of the
National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA). We acknowledge the Mission Scientists
and Principal Investigators who provided the data used in this research effort. Thanks are also due
to two anonymous reviewers of this paper, who contibuted substantially to the improvement of its
content.
M. Ahmed and V. Barale
absolute value cannot be accurate, such a distinction in blooming time suggests the
existence of site-specific ecosystem dynamics in each area, as if different forcing
functions induced different reactions at the sub-regional scale.
19.5 Conclusions
The integrated management of enclosed and coastal waters is a dynamical process,
in which boundary conditions, problems to be solved and required approaches are
changing continuously. Systematic monitoring, or at least a series of periodic assessments, is indispensable in order to make executive decisions at the proper time. RS
(and GIS) techniques can help collect (and merge) data required by decision-makers.
In recent years, such techniques have become an increasingly important element of
many programs about the coastal area of northeastern Egypt, aiming both at addressing environmental change and supporting sustainable development. As summarized
in the present review, information derived from (optical) RS indicate that the major near-coastal water bodies considered here have suffered intensive anthropogenic
damages, possibly related to draining and land reclamation, uncontrolled urbanization and related waste dumping, aquaculture and even recreational uses. As the local
population was expanding exponentially, most of these activities led to severe environmental problems, aggravating natural degradation processes and threatening the
very existence of these fragile near-coastal ecosystems.
Knowledge of the basic ecosystem indicators provided by satellite observations—
albeit with the limitations inherent in this technique, often due to the less-than-ideal
spatial, temporal and spectral resolutions of the available orbital systems—is considered an important contribution to a sound decision-making process. The test cases
above originate from a wide body of existing scientific and technical literature, based
on RS (and GIS) applications and related in situ validation campaigns, which illustrate the ongoing efforts to gain an ecological understanding of the coastal and lagoon
environments. Combining the potential of RS techniques with other indispensable
information sources, the initial steps shown here will lead to the establishment of
an integrated management program, ensuring both the protection of natural systems
and the sustainability of human activities.
Acknowledgements The authors wish to express their gratitude to the many Colleagues from the
Marine Sciences Department, National Authority Remote Sensing and Space Sciences (NARSSS),
Cairo, Egypt, and from the Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES), Joint Research Centre
(JRC) of the European Commission (EC), Ispra, Italy, who contributed to the research activities
summarized in the present paper. Work at IES, JRC EC, was carried out as part of the Framework
Programme 7 (FP7) JRC Action no. 21203 “Protection and Conservation of the European Seas”
(PROCAS). Some of the data analyses and visualizations used in this paper were produced with the
online data services featured by the Goddard Earth Sciences (GES) and Data Information Services
Center (DISC) Interactive Online Visualization ANd aNalysis Infrastructure (GIOVANNI), of the
National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA). We acknowledge the Mission Scientists
and Principal Investigators who provided the data used in this research effort. Thanks are also due
to two anonymous reviewers of this paper, who contibuted substantially to the improvement of its
content.