Earth observation science and applications
Monitoring of the ocean on a regular and long-term basis is
important to understand its role in our Earth system, track
biological events and predict the potential response of the ocean
to climate change. By using remote sensing techniques, scientists
can ascertain near real-time conditions, such as sea surface
temperature, chlorophyll concentration and optical properties,
which can be used to monitor varying aspects of the marine
environment. Scales of measurement vary from local (in
situ), regional (aircraft-based) to global (satellite)
scales.
Applications of observation data are wide ranging and include:
the improvement of ecosystem model accuracy; understanding and
quantifying oceanic biological and chemical processes including the
carbon cycle, and using satellite imagery for particular societal
and added-value purposes, for example, identifying harmful algal
blooms (HABs).
In coastal areas remote sensing provides particularly useful
information to measure and manage the interactions between society
and the marine environment. Monitoring eutrophication, harmful
algal blooms and processes associated with human activity can
provide evidence based information to regulate coastal-based
industries, develop ecosystem based management tools and protect
human health.
Key research areas