The Full Picture

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system to monitor forests fires. This system comprises three

components.

The first enables the daily identification of forest fire risk

areas, through a global and dynamic cartography of sensi-

tive and vulnerable zones. The approach is based on the

combination of two indicators derived fromNDVI and land

surface temperature, namely: vegetation drought index and

vegetation regression index. The second component is the

following-up of fires by the detection and characterisation

of hot spots. The developed algorithm is based on a thresh-

old of thermal channels and reflectance channels from

NOAA images. The third element of this system involves

the evaluation of damage through the cartography of the

burned areas. Both low (NOAA/AVHRR) and medium

(SPOT) resolution images are used in this task.

Drought and desertification

Drought occurs very frequently in the Mediterranean coun-

tries, with severe environmental, economic and social

consequences. Policy makers need information and tools

to improve drought preparedness and to mitigate impacts.

Within the framework of cooperation between North-

African countries (Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia), CRTS is

conducting, in cooperation with departments of agricul-

ture and forestry, a project called SMAS (SystemMaghrebin

d’Alerte contre la Secheresse). Based on a combination of

satellite data, meteorological measurements and in-situ

observation, the proposed system aims to provide decision

makers with sustainable information on the status of agri-

culture areas.

GEOSS to support sustainable resources management

The evaluation of the impact of the use of Earth observa-

tion data shows many direct and indirect benefits, including

cost and time saving, which result from efficiency and effec-

tiveness in planning and monitoring activities. In all these

fields, the analysis of systems, such as hydrologic, forest

and groundwater still requires information of a spatial

and/or in-situ nature, as well as various methods, includ-

ing modelling and geophysics. In this respect, GEOSS is

considered by the user community as an opportunity to

bring together several sources of information to offer a

cooperative instrument to share knowledge end expertise.

In spite of these positive aspects, users still face signifi-

cant hurdles, such as the availability of, and access to, space

satellite data, as well as the gap between available data and

end-user needs. GEOSS and its ten years implementation

plan will bring, from our point of view as a developing

country, a great step towards addressing such concerns.

The most important of which is its impact on political

awareness. Indeed, the participation of Morocco in the

GEO summits at a ministerial level shows the political

commitment of our country to contribute to this interna-

tional challenge. Nevertheless, the full potential of GEOSS

for economic and social development can be accomplished

only with an enhanced level of international cooperation.

One of the key elements for active participation in the

GEOSS implementation by developing countries is their

capacity to act as contributor and not only as beneficiary.

The analysis methodology was based on the identification of a series of

indicators, including land use, moisture, fractures and lithography.

In addition the use of radar images was very helpful in understand-

ing the interaction between water and soil. The combination of

interpreted information collected from two images, resulted in a map

of run off and infiltration zones. It also enabled a better understanding

of the geomorphology and mechanisms of recharge. The result of this

study was the identification of favourable sites for the establishment of

boreholes with high yields.

Forestry

Morocco’s forests play a major role in the environment and the

economic well-being of the country. Defining these roles on a sustain-

able basis requires information, and there is strong evidence that the

types and requirements for information are increasing. Earth obser-

vation images are technological tools that can assist practitioners and

researchers in the mapping and monitoring of forest ecosystems at a

variety of scales.

Most of the national forests are not adequately mapped. So main-

taining accurate and up-to-date information is an ongoing challenge to

understand the changes affecting forest areas, as well as determining

factors of degradation. In order to monitor forest resources, to complete

the national inventory and to up-date the existing maps at a low cost,

the CRTS in cooperation with the Forest Department, conducts studies

based on Earth observation images.

The availability of time series, covering three decades, was very helpful

in establishing ‘evolution maps’, as well as in quantifying the spatial and

temporal distribution of change in forest areas. A second study, which

covered more than 75 per cent of the national territory, gave the Forest

Department a complete picture of the National Forest Inventory. More

than 200 maps were elaborated at different.

Forest fire assessment

Forest fires are a permanent problem in Morocco during the summer

season. Annually, burned surface amounts to approximately 3,000

hectares. The project consists of the implementation of an operational

Ground water

Geological feature for potential ground water location/Ighrem village, Morocco

Source: Royal Centre for Remote Sensing (2007)

GEOSS C

OMPONENTS

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ISSEMINATION

NFORMATION

YSTEMS