Cities and towns are the original producers of many of the global environmental problems related to waste disposal, and air and water pollution. There is a rapidly growing need for technologies that will enable monitoring of the world's natural resources and urban assets, and managing exposure to natural and man-made risks. The Group on Earth Obser

Cities and towns are the original producers of many of the global environmental problems related to waste disposal, and air and water pollution. There is a rapidly growing need for technologies that will enable monitoring of the world s natural resources and urban assets, and managing exposure to natural and man-made risks. The Group on Earth Observation (GEO) calls for strengthening the cooperation and coordination among global observing systems and research programs. Global Urban Monitoring and Assessment through Earth Observation introduces this important international collaborative effort, reviews the current state of global urban remote sensing, and expands on future directions in the field. The book reviews the current state of global urban monitoring, assessment, modeling, and prediction through Earth observation and related technologies. It then introduces GEO s important international collaborative effort Global Urban Observation and Information Task and the current state of global urban remote sensing and future directions. It explores groundbreaking work in urban remote sensing and examines how it could contribute to the development of innovative concepts and techniques for sustainable urban development. Despite significant progress in recent years, there remain substantial gaps in ongoing national, regional, and global efforts to address environmental challenges. Edited by a well-known expert in the field of remote sensing, GIS, and other geospatial technologies, this book addresses the gaps in an effective and long-term manner, highlighting the importance of increased coordination and networking among major stakeholders and of working together with other key international mechanisms. Drawing on the expertise of pioneers in the field from across the globe, the book details emerging research in the theory, methods, and techniques of urban remote sensing that provide insight into how to solve the major issues of sustainable development one of the most important issues facing society in the future."

Earth Observation in Urban Monitoring: Techniques and Challenges presents the latest techniques of remote sensing in urban monitoring, along with methods for quantitative and qualitative assessment using state-of-the-art Earth observation technologies. The book details the advances of remote sensing technologies in urban environmental monitoring for a range of practical and research applications, Earth observation datasets, remote sensing of environmental considerations, geostatistical techniques and resilience perspectives. Chapters cover sensor applications, urban growth modelling, SAR applications, surveying techniques, satellite time series analysis and a variety of other remote sensing technologies for urban monitoring. Each chapter includes detailed case studies at a variety of scales and from a variety of geographies, offering up-to-date, global, urban monitoring methodologies for researchers, scientists and academics in remote sensing, geospatial research, environmental science and sustainability. - Focuses on a variety of interdisciplinary applications using Earth observation data, GIS and soft computing techniques to address various challenges in urban monitoring - Provides numerous case studies at a variety of scales, from local to global, to aid readers in implementing urban monitoring techniques at any level - Includes theoretical and applied research contributions along with background information on the use of concurrent technologies in the disciplines of urban studies

Cities and towns are the original producers of many of the global environmental problems related to waste disposal, and air and water pollution. There is a rapidly growing need for technologies that will enable monitoring of the world’s natural resources and urban assets, and managing exposure to natural and man-made risks. The Group on Earth Observation (GEO) calls for strengthening the cooperation and coordination among global observing systems and research programs. Global Urban Monitoring and Assessment through Earth Observation introduces this important international collaborative effort, reviews the current state of global urban remote sensing, and expands on future directions in the field. The book reviews the current state of global urban monitoring, assessment, modeling, and prediction through Earth observation and related technologies. It then introduces GEO’s important international collaborative effort—Global Urban Observation and Information Task—and the current state of global urban remote sensing and future directions. It explores groundbreaking work in urban remote sensing and examines how it could contribute to the development of innovative concepts and techniques for sustainable urban development. Despite significant progress in recent years, there remain substantial gaps in ongoing national, regional, and global efforts to address environmental challenges. Edited by a well-known expert in the field of remote sensing, GIS, and other geospatial technologies, this book addresses the gaps in an effective and long-term manner, highlighting the importance of increased coordination and networking among major stakeholders and of working together with other key international mechanisms. Drawing on the expertise of pioneers in the field from across the globe, the book details emerging research in the theory, methods, and techniques of urban remote sensing that provide insight into how to solve the major issues of sustainable development—one of the most important issues facing society in the future.

Applying Earth science knowledge to sustainable development, disaster risk reduction, and climate action Data and insights from Earth observations are critical for assessing the health of our planet, monitoring change, and addressing societal challenges from the local to the global scale. Earth Observation Applications and Global Policy Frameworks presents case studies of Earth science information integrated with statistics and socioeconomic data for managing development targets, improving disaster resilience, and mitigating and adapting to climate change. It also showcases open collaboration among researchers, United Nations and government officials, entrepreneurs, and the public. Volume highlights include: Case studies of projects working with local and national governments, and through public-private partnerships, to make the most of the large volume of complex and diverse Earth science information sources Applications from diverse disciplines including wetland preservation, food security, water quality, marine conservation, disasters, urbanization, drought and land degradation, and greenhouse gas monitoring Examples of internationally coordinated initiatives that are driving progress on three landmark United Nations agreements Resources for decision-makers and practitioners in local and national governments The American Geophysical Union promotes discovery in Earth and space science for the benefit of humanity. Its publications disseminate scientific knowledge and provide resources for researchers, students, and professionals.

A balanced review of differing approaches based on remote sensing tools and methods to assess and monitor biodiversity, carbon and water cycles, and the energy balance of terrestrial ecosystem. Earth Observation of Ecosystem Services highlights the advantages Earth observation technologies offer for quantifying and monitoring multiple ecosystem functions and services. It provides a multidisciplinary reference that expressly covers the use of remote sensing for quantifying and monitoring multiple ecosystem services. Rather than exhaustively cover all possible ecosystem services, this book takes a global look at the most relevant remote sensing approaches to estimate key ecosystem services from satellite data. Structured in four main sections, it covers carbon cycle, biodiversity, water cycle, and energy balance. Each section contains a review of conceptual and empirical methods, techniques, and case studies linking remotely sensed data to the biophysical variables and ecosystem functions associated with key ecosystem services. The book identifies relevant issues and challenges of assessment, presents cutting-edge sensing techniques, uses globally implemented tools to quantify ecosystem functions, and presents examples of successful monitoring programs. Covering recent developments undertaken on the global and national stage from Earth observation satellite data, it includes valuable lessons and recommendations and novel ways to improve current global monitoring systems. The book delineates the use of Earth observation data so that it can be used to quantify, map, value, and manage the valuable goods and services that ecosystems provide to societies around the world.