Abstract
This paper discusses the need for monitoring the state and evolution of arid and semi-arid environments, and compares the specific contributions of in situ and satellite-based techniques. The role of physicallybased models in the quantitative interpretation of the measurement is stressed, and a strategy is proposed for the systematic exploitation of space technologies.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anthes, R. A. 1984. Enhancement of convective precipitation by mesoscale variations in vegetative covering in semi arid regions. J. Clim. Appl. Meteorol. 23: 541–554.
Avissar, R. & Verstraete, M. M. 1990. The representation of continental surface processes in atmospheric models. Rev. Geophys. 28: 35–52.
Brassuer, G. & Verstraete, M. M. 1989. Atmospheric chemistry-climate interactions, in Climate and the Geo-Sciences: A Challenge for Science and Society in the 21st Century. Edited by A. Berger, S. Schneider and J. Cl. Duplessy. Kluwer Academic Publishers, 279–302.
Carlson, T. N. & Prospero, J. M. 1972. The large-scale movement of Saharan air outbreaks over the northern Equatorial Atlantic. J. Appl. Meteorol. 11: 283–297.
Giorgi, F. & Bates, G. T. 1989. Modelling the climate of the western U.S. with a limited area model coupled to a general circulation model. In: Proceedings of the Sixth Conference on Applied Climatology. American Meteorological Society, Boston, 201–208.
Isaacs, R. G., Hoffman, R. N. & Kaplan, L. D. 1986. Satellite remote sensing of meteorological parameters for global numerical weather prediction. Rev. Geophys. 24: 701–743.
Mintz, Y. 1984. The sensitivity of numerically simulated climate to land-surface conditions. In: The Global Climate. Edited by J.Houghton. Cambridge University Press, New York, 79–105.
Paylore, P. & Greenwell, J. R. 1979. Fools rush in: Pinpointing the Arid Zones. Arid Lands Newsletter 10: 17–18.
Pinty, J. P., Mascart, P., Richard, E. & Rosset, R. 1989. An investigation of mesoscale flows induced by vegetation inhomogeneities using an evapotranspiration model calibrated against HAPEX-MOBILHY data. J. Appl. Met. 28: 976–992.
Pinty, B. & Ramond, D. 1986. A Simple Bidirectional Reflectance Model for Terrestrial Surfaces. J. Geophys. Res. 91: 7803–7808.
Pinty, B. & Verstraete, M. M. 1990. Extracting information on surface properties from bidirectional reflectance measurements. Accepted for publication by J. Geophys. Res.
Pinty, B., Verstraete, M. M. & Dickinson, R. E. 1989. A Physical Model for Predicting Bidirectional Reflectances over Bare Soil. Remote Sensing of Environment 27: 273–288.
Pinty, B., Verstraete, M. M. & Dickinson, R. E. 1990. A Physical Model of the Bidirectional Reflectance of Vegetation Canopies; Part 2: Inversion and Validation. J. Geophys. Res. 95: 11767–11775.
Schlesinger, M. E. 1989. Model projections of the climatic changes induced by increased atmospheric CO2. In: Climate and the Geo-Sciences: A Challenge for Science and Society in the 21st Century. Edited by A. Berger, S. Schneider and J. Cl. Duplessy. Kluwer Academic Publishers, 375–415.
Schlesinger, W. H., Reynolds, J. R., Cunningham, G. L., Huenneke, L. F., Jarrel, W. M., Virginia, R. A. Whitford, W. G. 1990. Biological feedbacks in global desertification. Science 247: 1043–1048.
Segal, M., Avissar, R., McCumber, M. & Pielke, R. A. 1988. Evaluation of vegetation effects on the generation and modification of mesoscale circulations. J. Atmos. Sci. 45: 2268–2292.
Sud, Y. C. & Smith, W. E. 1985. The influence of surface roughness of deserts on July circulation. A numerical study. Bound. Layer Meteorol. 33: 1–35.
Sud, Y. C., Shukla, J. & Mintz, Y. 1988. Influence of land surface roughness on atmospheric circulation and precipitation. A sensitivity study with a general circulation model. J. Appl. Meteorol. 27: 1036–1054.
Townshend, J. R. G. (Guest Editor) 1989. Comparison of passive microwave with near-infrared and visible data for terrestrial environmental monitoring. Special issue of Int. J. Rem. Sens. 10: 1575–1696.
UNCOD 1977. Desertification: Its Causes and Consequences. Prepared by the Secretariat of the United Nations Conference on Desertification. Pergamon Press, Oxford, 448 pp.
Verstraete, M. M. & Schwartz, S. A. 1990. Desertification and Global Change. In this volume.
Verstraete, M. M., Pinty, B. & Dickinson, R. E. 1990. A Physical Model of the Bidirectional Reflectance of Vegetation Canopies; Part 1: Theory. J. Geophys. Res. 95: 11755–11765.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Verstraete, M.M., Pinty, B. The potential contribution of satellite remote sensing to the understanding of arid lands processes. Vegetatio 91, 59–72 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00036048
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00036048