Soil Erosion Monitoring Project Uses Satellite Technology
A new approach to monitoring soil erosion in developing countries has been launched using the latest satellite technology. The project involves studying the effects of soil erosion in Eastern Paraguay and is anticipated to have significant value in controlling deforestation and studying alternatives available to farmers. It would appear that the scheme also would be of interest to consulting engineers involved in major public works and water resources and reclamation projects.
The project is being led by the London office of Environmental Resources Management (ERM), an international environmental consulting firm, in association with Remote Sensing Application Consultants, located in Alton, England. Project support is through the British National Space Center under the Application Development Program, and through the World Bank.
Operating from a height of 800 kilometers, the satellite system combines radar and optical technology to monitor land cover across an area of two million hectares (a metric unit equal to 2,471 acres) in Eastern Paraguay. Information produced by the satellite is evaluated in conjunction with existing soil maps to assess susceptibility to soil erosion. By using the latest radar technology, the team is able to track developments and interpret data, even when visibility and access to the target area is relatively poor. This would not be possible if only traditional optical systems were used.
"The satellite system provides us with up-to-the-minute information on vast areas of land we could never otherwise reach," explained Mark Richardson, a senior consultant in ERM's London office. "The area being studied is particularly vulnerable as a result of deforestation. This can have its own impact on the quality of the region's soil."
ERM is a global environmental, health and safety consulting organization with over 2400 employees in more than 120 locations in 34 countries. For more information about this project contact the firm at: Tel. 610-524-3400; e-mail. mkt_info@erm.com.