Remote Sensing and Climate Modeling: Synergies and Limitations: 7 (Advances in Global Change Research, 7) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0792368010 ISBN 13: 9780792368014

Publisher: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2001

Synopsis

1 2 Michel M. VERSTRAETE and Martin BENISTON 1 Space Applications Institute, EC Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy 2 Department of Geography, University of Fribourg, Switzerland This volume contains the proceedings ofthe workshop entitled "Satellite Remote Sensing and Climate Simulations: Synergies and Limitations" that took place in Les Diablerets, Switzerland, September 20-24, 1999. This international scientific conference aimed at addressing the current and pot- tial role of satellite remote sensing in climate modeling, with a particular focus on land surface processes and atmospheric aerosol characterization. Global and regional circulation models incorporate our knowledge ofthe dynamics ofthe Earth's atmosphere. They are used to predict the evolution of the weather and climate. Mathematically, this system is represented by a set ofpartial differential equations whose solution requires initial and bo- dary conditions. Limitations in the accuracy and geographical distribution of these constraints, and intrinsic mathematical sensitivity to these conditions do not allow the identification of a unique solution (prediction). Additional observations on the climate system are thus used to constrain the forecasts of the mathematical model to remain close to the observed state ofthe system.

About this title

Synopsis

This book for the first time covers state-of-the-art research in two domains which are largely complementary, but which have until now not made optimum use of their complementarity: remote sensing techniques and climate models. The material presented in the book covers such diverse areas within satellite remote sensing techniques as aerosol loading of the atmosphere, characterization of the land surface (type and extent of vegetation, reflectivity of snow, land and vegetation), soil moisture, etc. Such parameters are important determinants of the climate system and its evolution, and are often poorly quantified in climate models; the advantage of remote sensing techniques, which have a global coverage, therefore becomes obvious for the climate modeling community. The book is primarily aimed at advanced academic research, at PhD or post-doctoral levels and beyond.

Edition details

• Publisher: Kluwer Academic Publishers
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0792368010
• ISBN 13: 9780792368014
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 356
• Editor: Beniston Martin, Verstraete Michel M.