Earthzine.org is soliciting articles worldwide for its theme issue on improving our understanding of terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems for the management and protection of these valuable resources. Articles will be published in the 4th quarter, September 23-December 20, 2010, Guest Editor is Liane S. Guild, PhD.
A Web Based Toolkit for Using Remote Sensing Data
This interactive, web-based toolkit was created by the Biophysical Remote Sensing Group at the University of Queensland to enable technicians, scientists and managers to make the most appropriate selection of data and a processing approach to monitor, model and manage marine, terrestrial and atmospheric environments with data that are derived from airborne and satellite imaging systems.
Oxygen Monitoring In Aquatic Ecosystems – EU-Project HYPOX
The EU-funded project HYPOX is building an innovative integrated observing system for continuous oxygen monitoring in aquatic systems to better understand the dynamics and drivers of oxygen depletion and the impact of hypoxic (low oxygen) on aquatic ecosystems. HYPOX includes experimental and modelling studies in order to gain predictive and decision-making capabilities from the obtained monitoring data.
The Millennium Development Goals – Environmental Sustainability at Stake in Aguinda v. Chevron
Achieving environmental sustainability, one of the United Nation’s eight Millennium Development Goals, adopted in 2000, requires the cooperation of the entire world – a seemingly daunting task. Currently, a $27 billion lawsuit is under litigation between Chevron and the inhabitants of the Oriente region of the Amazonian rainforest. It is a veritable David and Goliath battle. At stake is the clean up of one of Earth’s most delicate and important ecosystems, and this lawsuit could have priceless implications on the future of the Oriente.
Education Around Earth – Andros Island, Bahamas Coral Reef Ecosystem is Living Laboratory for Students
For over 25 years, Dr. Larry Wiedman has led teams of high school and college students in documenting changes in the land and sea environments of Andros Island in the Bahamas. They are particularly interested in studying coral reefs but are intent on not influencing the very changes they are trying to study. Dr. Wiedman is a professor in the biology department at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Dr. David Mullins, Earthzine‘s Associate Editor for Education, interviewed Dr. Wiedman about the project and his thoughts about educating future generations of Earth observers.
DMCii satellite imaging monitors Indonesian forests
DMC International Imaging Ltd (DMCii), which has just won a €100,000 contract from the European Space Agency (ESA), will demonstrate the value of its coordinated multi-satellite optical imagery for tropical forest monitoring in Indonesia.
The Power of a Brazilian Wind
Offshore wind turbines offer huge potential as a renewable energy source in today’s world, but the number of offshore wind farms is surprisingly small. Here, three scientists look at the wind resources off the southeast coast of Brazil as a possible sight that could one day provide Brazil with clean, carbon-free electricity.
Forest Watch science and education strive to halt climate change
As the international remote sensing community readies the 2009 IGARSS in Cape Town, South Africa this July, Earthzine recalls last summer’s conference in Boston, Massachusetts with this Featured Person interview with Dr. Barrett N. “Barry” Rock, professor of forestry, botany and remote sensing in the Complex Systems Research Center and the Department of Natural Resources at the University of New Hampshire. Barry Rock exemplifies IEEE’s mission to put science and technology to work for the benefit of humanity and Earth. He has “grown” a network of hundreds of students and teachers in Forest Watch, the outreach program he founded in 1991 in order to scientifically track the effects of U.S. efforts to diminish the damage of air pollution on human health and vegetation. In Boston, he demonstrated the Forest Watch model of university/K-12 partnership and IEEE scientific/community outreach at the 2008 IEEE International Geosciences and Remote Sensing Symposium.
Second Place: Sulaiman Tejan Jalloh’s “Agriculture”
In their submission to Earthzine’s 2009 Student Essay Competition, Sulaiman Tejan Jalloh of Sierra Leone’s Institute of Advanced Management and Technology discusses the negative environmental effects of traditional slash-and-burn agriculture and presents alternatives aim to reduce human’s impact on the environment.
Accelerated Erosion: Generation of Digital Elevation Models (DEMS) for Gullies in Irele Local Government Area of Ondo-State, Nigeria
This study attempts to derive Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) for gullies at Ode-Irele, Lipanu, Akotogbo and Ajagba town in Irele Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo-State, Nigeria. Gully morphometric attributes such as surface slope, catchments area, average depth and width as well as cross-sectional area and volume of material/ soil excavated were determined.