Land Overview
Earth’s land surface represents the most varied terrain in the whole of the Solar System, gradually transformed by geological motion, atmospheric weathering and sustained biological activity. Its evolution continues to this day, helped along by humanity: deserts expand, forests are cleared and cities grow. Satellite instruments allow land cover to be classified on an objective global basis, and identify land cover change. They can pinpoint wilderness areas under threat from sprawling settlements, for example, or track patterns of soil erosion. And land cover classification sharpens the accuracy of climate models: pinning down the contributions of localised carbon ‘sources’ and ‘sinks’ for example, or the varied albedos of differing biomass or mineral surfaces. Other types of instruments contribute more radiometers such as Envisat’s AATSR takes the temperature of Earth’s land, while radar altimetry and synthetic aperture radar interferometry build up accurate three dimensional maps of its surface contours.
Land News
Nearly four decades of soil moisture data now available03 November 2017A new, long-term and global dataset of soil moisture measurements from space has been released to help us better understand the water cycle and climate, monitor agriculture and manage our water resources. 
Mapping the world's forests20 September 2017Using satellite radar data, scientists have created a global map that quantifies the amount of wood in our forests - a key to understanding Earth's carbon cycle and, ultimately, climate change.
Specific Topics on Land
SoilThe monitoring of soil moisture on a large scale for the purposes of hydrological modelling and water management form the major element of this application. In addition research is aimed at understanding both soil chemistry and processes. 
Topography & MappingInterferometry is one of the key techniques in the creation of digital elevation models for the mapping of large areas and in the monitoring of elevation change in areas of land subsidence or uplift. 
Urban & IndustryThere are an ever increasing number of applications in support of industrial development from civil engineering to oil prospecting, and in the monitoring of urban change and population mapping for planning and control purposes. 
VegetationThe extensive mapping of vegetation and its condition form key elements of programmes aimed at the development of national and international food policies. Whilst ongoing research studies the more detailed biophysical processes. |
Related (Key) Documentation
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