27. ESA’S PLANS AND STRATEGY FOR OPTICAL REMOTE
SENSING OF TERRESTRIAL SURFACES IN THE NEXT DECADE
277
the spatial structure of ecosystems and on the relation of ecosystem
structure and functioning with the processes (1) through (4).
To address these needs, two parallel sets of activities must be pursued:
1.
2.
A scientific program leading to the derivation of more appropriate and
accurate models of geosphere/biosphere processes and surface
atmosphere interaction processes, formulated in terms of parameters and
variables, which are well identified at each scale and unambiguously
related to the quantities measurable from space. Coupled with this must
be an improvement in assimilation procedures and processing
algorithms.
The development and provision of instruments capable of ensuring
observations of key geo-biophysical parameters characterizing the state
of the biosphere/geosphere system and its evolution. These data would
be used in the validation and improvement of the corresponding models,
as well as in advancing our understanding of scaling from local to
global.
Such a program implies two complementary systems of observation, namely:
1.
2.
an observing system with high spatial and spectral resolution, directional
sampling capability and, if possible, high temporal repetitivity, but not
necessarily with a global coverage, for studying processes and scalingup procedures
one or more instruments with lower spatial and spectral resolution, but
suitable for long-term, global observations and complementing the
above observing system.. Examples include AVHRR, MERIS,
VEGETATION and MODIS.
However, a major concern is the scaling up of local processes to regional
and global scales. By advancing the understanding and characterization of
these processes at small to medium scales, the mission should enhance their
realistic representation in spatially distributed models. This improvement
would immediately result in major advances in environmental monitoring
and management.
6.
THE EARTH WATCH MISSIONS
Earth Watch missions are operational/pre-operational missions driven by
the operational needs of the user communities. Thus it is intended that the
need the for continuous provision of data (and the accessibility and revisit
for monitoring purposes) will be ensured by a series of individual but
identical missions. A key element of an Earth Watch mission is the
identification of a partner who will be responsible for and ultimately take
SENSING OF TERRESTRIAL SURFACES IN THE NEXT DECADE
277
the spatial structure of ecosystems and on the relation of ecosystem
structure and functioning with the processes (1) through (4).
To address these needs, two parallel sets of activities must be pursued:
1.
2.
A scientific program leading to the derivation of more appropriate and
accurate models of geosphere/biosphere processes and surface
atmosphere interaction processes, formulated in terms of parameters and
variables, which are well identified at each scale and unambiguously
related to the quantities measurable from space. Coupled with this must
be an improvement in assimilation procedures and processing
algorithms.
The development and provision of instruments capable of ensuring
observations of key geo-biophysical parameters characterizing the state
of the biosphere/geosphere system and its evolution. These data would
be used in the validation and improvement of the corresponding models,
as well as in advancing our understanding of scaling from local to
global.
Such a program implies two complementary systems of observation, namely:
1.
2.
an observing system with high spatial and spectral resolution, directional
sampling capability and, if possible, high temporal repetitivity, but not
necessarily with a global coverage, for studying processes and scalingup procedures
one or more instruments with lower spatial and spectral resolution, but
suitable for long-term, global observations and complementing the
above observing system.. Examples include AVHRR, MERIS,
VEGETATION and MODIS.
However, a major concern is the scaling up of local processes to regional
and global scales. By advancing the understanding and characterization of
these processes at small to medium scales, the mission should enhance their
realistic representation in spatially distributed models. This improvement
would immediately result in major advances in environmental monitoring
and management.
6.
THE EARTH WATCH MISSIONS
Earth Watch missions are operational/pre-operational missions driven by
the operational needs of the user communities. Thus it is intended that the
need the for continuous provision of data (and the accessibility and revisit
for monitoring purposes) will be ensured by a series of individual but
identical missions. A key element of an Earth Watch mission is the
identification of a partner who will be responsible for and ultimately take