An approach to monitoring and assessment of desertification using integrated geospatial technologies

Extending well over one-third of the earth's surface, dryland environments are home to more than 1 billion people who are dependent on them for their livelihoods. Approximately 70% of these areas have experienced some degree of degradation, resulting in a wide range of environmental, cultural, economic and political ramifications, both locally and globally. Good information on the extent and severity of desertification is lacking, preventing effective management and protection of the land resource.

High spatial and spectrum resolution aerial photography and satellite images (e.g., SPOT or Landsat), analyzed in conjunction with high-frequency low resolution satellite data (Meteosat and NOAA), can be used to monitor and analyze the biological and physical environmental indicators of desertification. Future assessment will need to be based on combinations of satellite imagery of climate, land cover, and biophysical indicators of desertification together with supporting ground-collected information. The combined usage of these data in GIS is expected to substantially improve understanding of causative interactions, land use management, and prediction capabilities.