 |
NEO
Postbus 2176
NL-3800 CD Amersfoort
Tel: + 31 (0)33 463 74 33
Fax: + 31 (0)33 463 74 40
Website: www.neo.nl
Email: 
|
|
|
ALTERNATIVES FOR DRYMON
Of course there are alternatives in drought monitoring:
1 Rainfall data can be collected through rainfall gauges. However a rainfall gauges is only representative for the point where it is located and the network of gauges is not dense enough and demands a tremendous effort in maintenance and data processing;
2 Vegetation indices can be monitored by satellites. If the index is lower than average, there may not be enough water for vegetation and crop development. However there may be other reasons for this (temperature, cutting of trees, fires, etc.). Also the vegetation only starts lagging behind when the drought takes its toll and it is too late for an 'early' warning.
What is more logical than monitoring a drought through what it is: a lack of soil moisture? In DRYMON it is possible for the first time in history to do this from a satellite. The advantages of doing this from a satellite are obvious:
- Global coverage;
- Frequent collection of data in the same repetitive manner;
- Once the satellite flies, the cost of running the system are extremely low;
- If the budget for the successors of the satellite have been approved, there is no risk of large data gaps.
For DRYMON all these conditions have been met.
|
|
