The Role of Earth Observation on Environmental Management in Africa

Abstract

The success of environmental management and protection lies on the availability of adequate information to support intervention measures. Such information acts as a prerequisite to predict the future and, subsequently, to validate the accuracy of those predictions. In this paper, we illustrate the potential of earth observation, more precisely remote sensing in measuring
and monitoring environmental variables that are crucial for the management of the earth’s resources. Recent developments in earth observation and the sources of remote sensing data for Africa are detailed. Examples of available sensors and their potential applications, including the newly launched SumbandilaSat South African sensor, are detailed in the paper.