Forest environmental dynamics monitoring by microwave remote sensing

Objective

To validate the applicability of microwave remote sensing (both
active and passive) for environmental monitoring in support of
climate research.


GENERAL: The boreal forests in Northern Europe, Asia and North America play an important role in the global hydrological cycle. The next planned large internationalexperiments which focus on the boreal forests areBOREAS (1993- 1995, North America) and Nopex (1994-1996, Scandinavia). NOPEX (Northern hemisphere climate processes land-surface Experiment) is a hydro-meteorological pilot experiment for studying exchange processes between the earth's surface and atmosphere in the forests of Scandinavia,as a basis for climate research and global climate modelling. NOPEX is an official IGBP experiment falling under BAHC.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this proposal, called FOREST-DYNAMO (FOREST environmental Dynamics Monitoring), is to further investigate the applicability of microwave observation technology for environmental monitoring within the framework of NOPEX. This objective is essential, because of the need to use global observation systems to feed, implement an verify global models. The proposed research thus contributes to the development of a monitoring system of global ecosystems and climate systems with special reference to the European Continent.Because of the all weather (cloud penetrating) capabilities, microwaves are expected to form the basis of the new generation of earth observation methodologies for environmental and climate studies. The planned remote sensing activities within FOREST-DYNAMO and NOPEX create an ideal background for verification of recently developed methods and models. The proposed research can further be seen as a contribution to the development of interpretation techniques for ERS-1 an the MIMR-instrument, planned for two polar platforms (EOS/Columbus-program of ESA/USA). For this reason ESA denoted NOPEX as target area for the new European Airborne Campaign (EMAC-94/95).
EXPECTED RESULTS: Improved knowledge of the applicability of microwaves for monitoring surface conditions of forest environments from space relevant fo climate studies.

Fields of science

• engineering and technology › environmental engineering › remote sensing
• natural sciences › biological sciences › ecology › ecosystems
• natural sciences › earth and related environmental sciences › atmospheric sciences › climatology

Programme(s)

• FP3-ENV 1C - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of the environment, 1990-1994

Topic(s)

• 0102 - Anthropogenic climate change

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT AMSTERDAM - VERENIGING VOOR CHRISTELIJK WETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERWIJS

Address

1085,de Boelelaan 1085
1081 HV Amsterdam
Netherlands

Participants (5)

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)

France

Address

14 Avenue Edouard Belin
31400 Toulouse

Danmarks Tekniske Universitet

Denmark

Address

348,bygning 348
2800 Lyngby

Landbouwuniversiteit Wageningen

Netherlands

Address

11,nieuwe Kanaal
6709 PA Wageningen

NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ITALY

Italy

Address

Via Panciatichi 64
50127 Firenze

UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN

Denmark

Address

10,oester Voldgade 10
1350 Koebenhavn K/copenhaegen