Emma Tebbs

Regional-Scale High Spatial Resolution Mapping of Aboveground Net Primary Productivity (ANPP) from Field Survey and Landsat Data: A Case Study for the Country of Wales

This paper presents an alternative approach for high spatial resolution vegetation productivity mapping at a regional scale, using a combination of Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) imagery and widely distributed ground-based Above-ground Net Primary Production (ANPP) estimates. Our method searches through all available single-date NDVI imagery to identify the images which give the best NDVI–ANPP relationship. The derived relationships are then used to predict ANPP values outside of field survey plots. This approach enables the use of the high spatial resolution (30 m) Landsat 8 sensor, despite its low revisit frequency that is further reduced by cloud cover. This is one of few studies to investigate the NDVI–ANPP relationship across a wide range of temperate habitats and strong relationships were observed (R2 = 0.706), which increased when only grasslands were considered (R2 = 0.833). The strongest NDVI–ANPP relationships occurred during the spring “green-up” period. A reserved subset of 20% of ground-based ANPP estimates was used for validation and results showed that our method was able to estimate ANPP with a RMSE of 15–21%. This work is important because we demonstrate a general methodological framework for mapping of ANPP from local to regional scales, with the potential to be applied to any temperate ecosystems with a pronounced green up period. Our approach allows spatial extrapolation outside of field survey plots to produce a continuous surface product, useful for capturing spatial patterns and representing small-scale heterogeneity, and well-suited for modelling applications. The data requirements for implementing this approach are also discussed.

Conservation and Management of East Africa’s Soda Lakes

The conservation value of East African saline alkaline lakes is identified based on the spatial and temporal gradients of regional variability, landscapes, biodiversity and population changes. The present extent of their management is evaluated along a spatial gradient from international to local, through the perspective of international agreements, management plans and policies. Gaps in present-day conservation management are identified and the theoretical possibilities for improved management and more secure conservation outlined. The final section suggests ways in which improved management policies can be achieved in the next decade by simple knowledge collection at each lake and sharing using social media.

Chapter 19 – Emerging and Potential Future Applications of Satellite-Based Soil Moisture Products

This chapter describes the emerging applications for satellite-based soil moisture (SM) data and proposes possible future uses, backed up by some preliminary research which has helped to identify this need. Applications across the ecological and hydrological sciences, in a wide range of discipline areas, are considered. The more established application areas of numerical weather prediction and climate modelling are not considered in this chapter. The chapter starts with applications of global relevance, and then goes on to focussing on the potential applications in Africa, where the needs for accurate information on water resources are particularly urgent in order to address issues of food and water security. Finally, the current limitations and future developments influencing the application of satellite SM data are discussed.

Emerging and Potential Future Applications of Satellite-Based Soil Moisture Products

This chapter describes the emerging applications for satellite-based soil moisture (SM) data and proposes possible future uses, backed up by some preliminary research which has helped to identify this need. Applications across the ecological and hydrological sciences, in a wide range of discipline areas, are considered. The more established application areas of numerical weather prediction and climate modelling are not considered in this chapter. The chapter starts with applications of global relevance, and then goes on to focussing on the potential applications in Africa, where the needs for accurate information on water resources are particularly urgent in order to address issues of food and water security. Finally, the current limitations and future developments influencing the application of satellite SM data are discussed.

Satellite Soil Moisture Retrieval: Techniques and Applications

This chapter describes the emerging applications for satellite-based soil moisture (SM) data and proposes possible future uses, backed up by some preliminary research which has helped to identify this need. Applications across the ecological and hydrological sciences, in a wide range of discipline areas, are considered. The more established application areas of numerical weather prediction and climate modelling are not considered in this chapter. The chapter starts with applications of global relevance, and then goes on to focussing on the potential applications in Africa, where the needs for accurate information on water resources are particularly urgent in order to address issues of food and water security. Finally, the current limitations and future developments influencing the application of satellite SM data are discussed.