Big Earth data: disruptive changes in Earth observation data management and analysis?

ABSTRACT

Turning Earth observation (EO) data consistently and systematically into valuable global information layers is an ongoing challenge for the EO community. Recently, the term ‘big Earth data’ emerged to describe massive EO datasets that confronts analysts and their traditional workflows with a range of challenges. We argue that the altered circumstances must be actively intercepted by an evolution of EO to revolutionise their application in various domains. The disruptive element is that analysts and end-users increasingly rely on Web-based workflows. In this contribution we study selected systems and portals, put them in the context of challenges and opportunities and highlight selected shortcomings and possible future developments that we consider relevant for the imminent uptake of big Earth data.     

Combining European Earth Observation products with Dynamic Global Vegetation Models for estimating Essential Biodiversity Variables

ABSTRACT

Global, fast and accessible monitoring of biodiversity is one of the main pillars of the efforts undertaken in order to revert it loss. The Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO-BON) provided an expert-based definition of the biological properties that should be monitored, the Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs). Initiatives to provide indicators for EBVs rely on global, freely available remote sensing (RS) products in combination with empirical models and field data, and are invaluable for decision making. In this study, we provide alternatives for the expansion and improvement of the EBV indicators, by suggesting current and future data from the European Space Agencýs COPERNICUS and explore the potential of RS-integrated Dynamic Global Vegetation Models (DGVMs) for the estimation of EBVs. Our review found that mainly due to the inclusion of the Sentinel constellation, Copernicus products have similar or superior potential for EBV indicator estimation in relation to their NASA counterparts. DGVMs simulate the ecosystem level EBVs (ecosystem function and structure), and when integrated with remote sensing data have great potential to not only offer improved estimation of current states but to provide projection of ecosystem impacts. We suggest that focus on producing EBV relevant outputs should be a priority within the research community, to support biodiversity preservation efforts.     

星载合成孔径雷达海洋遥感与大数据

星载合成孔径雷达以其全天候、全天时、不受云雨影响的工作特性在空间对海观测中起到了重要作用，又以其高空间分辨率、多极化、多成像模式的特点展示了其在海洋动力要素反演和海洋多尺度动力过程研究中独特的魅力.起步于20世纪70年代末的星载合成孔径雷达技术，迎来了发展的"黄金时期"，大数据和机器学习又赋予了星载合成孔径雷达海洋遥感更强大的生命力.本文首先阐述了星载合成孔径雷达大数据的5"V"特性，进而以高分辨率海面风场反演、海洋内波中尺度动力过程观测两类典型案例，阐述了大数据、机器学习等现代信息科学技术与卫星海洋遥感结合，实现海洋环境参数高精度反演和海洋动力过程科学深层次认知的研究.最后，展望了星载合成孔径雷达海洋遥感与大数据的发展前景.     

Spectral index determination between 408 MHz and 5 GHz in the northern sky

We present the joint analysis of two 5-GHz interferometric surveys of the northern sky, taken with different baselines. The two surveys were carried out on the Jodrell Bank 5-GHz interferometer based at Manchester. The Maximum Entropy Method is used to check the consistency of the two surveys and the final two-dimensional maps are used, together with low-frequency full sky surveys, to put constraints on the Galactic spectral index. It is found that synchrotron emission is the dominant process at high Galactic latitudes below 5 GHz.     

Investigation of Image Fusion Between High—Resolution Image and Multi—Spectral Image

On the basis of a thorough understanding of the physical characteristics of remote sensing image,this paper employs the theories of wavelet transform and signal sampling to develop a new image fusion algorithm.The algorithm has been successfully applied to the image fusion of SPOT PAN and TM of Guangdong province, China The experimental results show that a perfect image fusion can be built up by using the image analytical solution and reconstruction in the image frequency domain based on the physical characteristics of the image formation.The method has demonstrated that the results of the image fusion do not change spectral characteristics of the original image.     

中国西部地区生态环境现状遥感调查

针对“中国西部地区生态环境现状遥感调查”的需要,综合运用景观生态学理论、生态系统服务功能理论、可持续发展理论、遥感和地理信息系统技术,研究中国西部地区生态环境现状遥感数据的处理与集成,开展中国西部地区土地覆被和生态要素结构变化分析、沙漠化和水土流失强度评价、生态脆弱特征及时空分布规律分析、基于遥感调查的生态环境质量评价、基于多时相遥感数据对比的典型区生态环境遥感分析和生态环境变化成因对策分析等综合性的研究,并以量化和可视化的形式系统地反映西部地区生态环境现状及其变化的空间分布、空间统计和空间特征规律。     

An evaluation of the role played by remote sensing technology following the World Trade Center attack

Remote sensing technology has been widely recognized for contributing to emergency response efforts after the World Trade Center attack on September 11th, 2001. The need to coordinate activities in the midst of a dense, yet relatively small area, made the combination of imagery and mapped data strategically useful. This paper reviews the role played by aerial photography, satellite imagery, and LIDAR data at Ground Zero. It examines how emergency managers utilized these datasets, and identifies significant problems that were encountered. It goes on to explore additional ways in which imagery could have been used, while presenting recommendations for more effective use in future disasters and Homeland Security applications. To plan adequately for future events, it was important to capture knowledge from individuals who responded to the World Trade Center attack. In recognition, interviews with key emergency management and geographic information system (GIS) personnel provide the basis of this paper. Successful techniques should not be forgotten, or serious problems dismissed. Although widely used after September 11th, it is important to recognize that with better planning, remote sensing and GIS could have played an even greater role. Together with a data acquisition timeline, an expanded discussion of these issues is available in the MCEER/NSF report “Emergency Response in the Wake of the World Trade Center Attack; The Remote Sensing Perspective” (Huyck and Adams, 2002)