Water Availability Theme

A girl drinking water in Rwanda. Image Credit: Jon Gosier

Guest Editor for Water Availability
Annett Bartsch, PhD annett.bartsch@tuwien.ac.at
Vienna University of Technology
Institute of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
Austria

Editor‐in‐Chief
Paul E. Racette editor@earthzine.org

Deputy Editor‐in‐Chief
Christoph Aubrecht christoph.aubrecht@earthzine.org

Articles published for Earthzine’s Water Availability theme (Sept. 23-Dec. 21, 2011) address current issues, techniques and applications of Earth observation information for measuring water, the social benefits of monitoring water and the humanitarian implications of water availability.

Specific topics of interest for our Water Availability theme include: how Earth observation technologies have or can contribute to quantify water resources at or below the Earth’s surface at a global, regional and local scale, including lakes, groundwater, soil moisture, snow and glaciers; advances in the use of Earth observation technologies by countries and organizations for water management related to increasing pressure from global population growth and economic development; the use of Earth observation technologies to assess key environmental issues such as climate change, droughts, floods and biodiversity; challenges and opportunities for validation of water-related remotely sensed data with in-situ measurements, initiation of benchmarking activities, and identification of long term trends; innovative applications of Earth observation technologies in water research for validation and improvement of hydrological models and data assimilation for weather forecasting.

Theme Articles

SHARE: Soil Moisture for Hydrometeorological Applications

The SHARE project demonstrates how data from medium resolution microwave instruments can be used to support flood monitoring efforts. The data can help determine the amount of runoff resulting from rain and support monitoring of inundated areas during a flood.

Doubková et al., posted on February 2nd, 2012
Articles, Earth Observation, Water Availability

Micro-level Drought Vulnerability Assessment in Peddavagu basin, a Tributary of Krishna River, Andhra Pradesh, India

Assessing the micro-level spatial drought vulnerability in South Central India can assist with coping measures for farmers and others in the region. This study used various thematic maps to derive a village-level drought vulnerability map, which will be useful to drought management and preparedness in the future.

Sreedhar et al., posted on January 18th, 2012
Articles, Earth Observation, Water Availability

Remote Sensing of Alkaline-Saline Lakes: Applications to Flamingo Conservation

The lesser flamingo of Kenya and Tanzania is a near-threatened species that feeds on bacterial biomass growing in the soda lakes of the Rift Valley. This interdisciplinary project investigates the connections between ecological and hydrological processes in alkaline-saline lakes, and demonstrates how satellite data can contribute to remote monitoring of ecosystems.

Tebbs et al., posted on January 11th, 2012
Articles, Biodiversity, Earth Observation, Water Availability

Water Availability in Reference to Water Needs in Poland: The Importance of Correct Estimation of Water Resources

The improper selection of indicators of water resources can lead to inaccurate estimates of supply and may complicate the management of these vital resources. This paper discusses the benefits of using Earth observation technology in the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security program for estimating water resources in Poland.

Ostojski et al., posted on January 9th, 2012
Articles, Water Availability

Groundwater Storage Estimates in the Central Valley Aquifer Using GRACE Data

A project on the use of Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) data to estimate changes in groundwater storage in the Central Valley aquifer in collaboration with the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). This work has the potential to improve California’s groundwater resource management and the use of existing hydrologic models for the Central Valley.

Kuss et al., posted on January 1st, 2012
Articles, Earth Observation, Water Availability

The Water Question in Lake Chad Basin: Lessons from the Drought in Somalia

Will an effective mechanism be put in place to detect the onset of drought in Africa’s Lake Chad Basin? What needs to be done to minimize adverse effects of drought in the basin? In this essay, scientific perspectives are applied to explain and compare the complex nature of the current drought in Somalia and the Lake Chad Basin.

Churchill Okonkwo, posted on December 30th, 2011
Ecosystems, Water Availability

GrapeLook: Improving Agricultural Water Management using Satellite Earth Observation

Limited water resource availability and efficient water management are major global challenges facing policymakers in many countries of the world, and South Africa is no exception. Advanced satellite technologies offer new opportunities to address these issues. In 2010, the GrapeLook project was initiated, providing information on crop water, growth and nitrogen status during the growth season using satellite data. The first demonstration year provided users with a deeper insight into the temporal and spatial processes in vineyards to improve water productivity.

Klaasse and Jarmain, posted on December 23rd, 2011
Agriculture, Articles, Earth Observation, Water Availability

Using the Landsat Archive for the Monitoring of Mediterranean Coastal Wetlands: Examples from the GlobWetland-II Project

Coastal wetlands in the Mediterranean have undergone considerable land use and land cover changes in recent decades, by way of urban growth and increasing tourism infrastructure. The GlobWetland-II project makes use of the 35 years of Landsat archives for a basic identification and delineation of wetlands during 1975, 1990, and 2005. The authors present results of wetland identification and delineation mapping from 1975 to 2002, for the test sites of the Menderes Delta and Güllük Bay.

Hüttich et al., posted on December 20th, 2011
Articles, Earth Observation, Ecosystems, Water Availability

Freshwater resources management: Starting SMART characterization of New Zealand’s aquifers

Despite the importance of New Zealand's groundwater resources, we still lack essential information related to their basic properties which are required to avoid overexploitation of resources and water scarcity situations where humans and the economy will be stressed due to insufficient water supply.

Klug et al., posted on December 13th, 2011
Articles, Technology, Water Availability

Water Management Strategies against Water Scarcity in the Alps: The Project Alp-Water-Scarce

Due to the growing request for freshwater, water resources most likely will decline in the future. To handle long- and short-term water scarcity situations, water scarcity risk mitigation strategies have been developed by the Alp-Water-Scarce partners.

Hermann Klug, posted on December 13th, 2011
Articles, Technology, Water Availability

GLOWASIS – The Global Water Scarcity Information Service

A new European Commission project called GLOWASIS, for Global Water Scarcity and Information Service, is providing decision-support to avoid stressing water systems in vulnerable communities.

Markus Enenkel and Rogier Westerhoff, posted on November 30th, 2011
Articles, Water Availability

Use of Remote Sensing for Groundwater Mapping in Haiti

Sustainable access to safe drinking water is a public health issue directly linked to the economy in Haiti and around the world. This research applies remote-sensing techniques to data from ASTER satellite imagery to produce maps useful for placing community-level water-filtration installation systems in Port au Prince and surrounding areas.

Donna O. Burnett, posted on November 22nd, 2011
Articles, Water Availability

Call for Papers – Water Availability

Earthzine is soliciting articles of 800-3,000 words for its Fourth Quarter Theme Issue on Water Availability. We seek contributions addressing current issues, techniques and applications of Earth information for measuring water, the social benefits of monitoring water and the humanitarian implications of water availability.

Annett Bartsch, posted on July 28th, 2011
Announcements, Water Availability