Table of Contents

Earth Observation Express

• Other Editions

1. 1^st Sargassum patch detected with MERIS in the Northern Atlantic Ocean

The 1st patch of Sargassum on the North Atlantic Ocean was detected with the MERIS sensor. Sargassum is floating marine vegetation that absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2) - the most important greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming - through photosynthesis and converts it into organic carbon. This process is known as primary productivity. To read the full article and view the image, please visit: www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/programs/grip/archive_0812.asp. Through the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Government Related Initiatives Program (GRIP), the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) is developing new tools an methodologies based on Earth observation (EO) data to better understand ocean ecosystems, climate changes and renew the economic viability of our fisheries.

2. Growing The Economy Forward: New Space Tools For Agriculture

The agriculture and agri-food industry accounts for one in eight jobs in Canada and 8% of Gross Domestic Product. Over the last years, there has been a substantial change to the face of agriculture practices. Through the adoption of new technologies, superior products and novel methods of production, agricultural productivity has grown. Tools, methodologies and technologies, based on Earth Observation data such as RADARSAT-2, to optimize agricultural practices and stimulate the economy are presently being developed by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, in large part through the Canadian Space Agency Government Related Initiatives Program (GRIP). Soil moisture, soil drainage, frozen soil, droughts, crop biomass, productivity in grassland are among the priorities which AAFC EO teams are working on. For more information, please contact MartinTi@AGR.GC.CA or guy.aube@asc-csa.gc.ca.

3. Development of Canada's Forest Sector From Space

The Government of Canada promotes the sustainable development of Canada's forests and the competitiveness of the Canadian forest sector. Canada requires a next generation forest measuring and monitoring system that responds to key policy drivers related to climate change and to report upon sustainable forest development of Canada's forest both nationally and internationally. The Canadian Forest Service (CFS), in partnership with the Canadian Space Agency Government Related Initiatives Program (GRIP), is using space-based earth observation (EO) technologies to create products for forest inventory, forest carbon accounting, monitoring sustainable development, and landscape management. The Earth Observation for Sustainable Development of Forests (EOSD) initiative worked in partnership with the all Provinces and Territories to develop a land cover map of the forested area of Canada. Utilizing Red Hed Systems technology, CFS was able to efficiently and cost-effectively collect validation data for the EOSD LC 2000 map product. As a result, the CFS developed a successful protocol for using airborne, geo-tagged video to provide calibration and validation data for similar mapping projects in the future.

4. Renewing the Economic Viability of our Fisheries with Earth Observation

With over $20 billion in annual economic activity, Canada's oceans and their resources are significant contributors to the overall Canadian economy. Developing the full potential of Canadian fisheries as an economic driver for our coastal and rural communities is among Government of Canada's priorities. Through the Canadian Space Agency Government Related Initiatives Program (GRIP), the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is developing new tools an methodologies based on Earth observation data to better understand ocean ecosystems and renew the economic viability of our fisheries. EO data will be applied to chlorophyll and cyanobacteria mapping, ecosystem marine and coastal management, estimation of primary production in the Canadian Arctic, ocean colours for DFO operations, oceans winds and waves detection, etc.

5. Arctic Coastal Initiative: MORSE User Consultation Workshop in St. John’s a Success

MORSE is a joint initiative of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and the European Space Agency (ESA), designed to develop, promote and operationalize Earth Observation (EO) based products and services to support the information needs of Arctic Coastal Users in government, non-governmental, municipal, industrial, aboriginal and scientific organizations. In order to collect, discuss and analyze the User Needs, the MORSE User Consultation Workshop was held on November 12-13, 2008, in St-John’s, Newfoundland-Labrador, Canada. Over fifty-five participants from Canada, Europe and U.S. contributed to stimulating discussions. The MORSE Workshop Report will be available in early December. Inputs and comments are invited from those who were present and also from those who were not present. The workshop results will be analyzed to produce the User Requirements Document in early January. For more information, please visit: www.morse-arctic.net or contact yves.crevier@asc-csa.gc.ca.

6. Recognising the Culture of Space-Based Earth Observation in Northern Regions Management

Today we see an ever-increasing number of demands on Arctic coastal zones, ocean and their resources. While traditional fishing and marine transportation continue to be of prime importance, they are now joined by other uses, such as oil and gas exploration, aquaculture, eco-tourism, search and rescue operations, etc. During the Morse User Consultation Workshop (November 12-13), a review of CSA past & on-going EO initiatives related to coastal management in Northern region, focusing on existing programs, coordinated activities and assets was presented. To view the material titled "Recognising the Culture of Space-Based Earth Observation in Northern Regions Management" presented by CSA, please visit: ftp://ftp.asc-csa.gc.ca/users/EO-Express/pub/ or contact guy.aube@asc-csa.gc.ca or yves.crevier@asc-csa.gc.ca.

7. Contributing to Global Security: Canadian Western Arctic On High Surveillance

Defending our sovereignty in the North demands that we maintain the capacity to act. Arctic patrol ships and expanded satellite surveillance are guarding Canada’s Far North and the Northwest Passage. Thanks to Canada's RADARSAT-1 Earth observation satellite, the Government of Canada keep an eye on the entire Arctic region. RADARSAT helps track sea ice distribution, identify various types of ice, and produce daily ice charts. The information is also used for planning safe shipping routes and supply operations for offshore exploration platforms or ocean research stations. This RADARSAT image Arctic composite was developed by the Canadian Ice Service in November, showing ice and open water in the Banks Island Region (Northwest Territories), between the Amundsen Gulf and the Beaufort Sea: http://ice-glaces.ec.gc.ca/.

8. Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage: Improving Change Detection

Science and technology comes into almost every aspect of our lives, helping us to solve problems and create opportunities. Land Use Change detection is a key capability for many application domains including defence, disaster management, agriculture, hydrology and forestry. Through the Canadian Space Agency Earth Observation Applications Development Program (EOADP), technologies are developed for a more sustainable economy. MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. has successfully completed the EOADP project titled "Improved Change Detection from Radarsat-2 Polarimetry" to give the opportunity to the EO community to better understand the capabilities of change detection based on Polarimetric SAR data. RADARSAT-2 is the first spaceborne SAR to operationally provide polarimetric products. For more information, please contact: yann.denis@asc-csa.gc.ca or rcaves@mdacorporation.com.

9. SOAR-E: Science and Operational Applications Research – Education

Canada has a long and proud tradition of excellence in research and scientific achievement. Scientific discoveries and new technologies provide solutions to many problems that are important to Canadians. SOAR-E is a Government of Canada initiative aimed at Canadian educational organizations and research centres. Its purpose is to support scientists in the development of applications using the RADARSAT-2 Earth observation satellite and to promote the use of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) remote sensing by graduate students. Proposals for basic and applied research leading to the development of applications using the new modes of RADARSAT-2 will be requested. To participate or for more information on the SOAR-E initiative, please visit www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/programs/soar/default.asp or contact the SOAR Coordination Office
450-926-6749, SOAR-E@asc-csa.gc.ca).

10. Protecting Canada's Future: Space For Habitat

The Government of Canada understands that Canada’s economic prosperity cannot be sustained without a healthy environment, just as environmental progress cannot be achieved without a healthy economy. Environment Canada (EC) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Government Related Initiatives Program (GRIP) are taking steps towards a national program for landscape monitoring supported by satellites. The project, Space for Habitat, is a cooperative pilot that brings together knowledge from governments, universities, industry and environmental organizations. These partners hope to improve wildlife management and enforcement over Canada's multiple landscapes using space-based Earth Observation technology. For more information, please visit: www.ec.gc.ca/ or www.naturecanada.ca/. For more information, please contact Jason.duffe@ec.gc.ca or paul.briand@asc-csa.gc.ca.

11. Tackling Climate Change From Space: Artic Sea Ice Thinning at Record Rate

The thickness of sea ice in large parts of the Arctic declined by as much as 19% last winter compared to the previous five winters, according to ASAR Earth observation data from Envisat. The Arctic sea areas covered by ice in September 2008, but ice-free in September 2007, are visible in blue on the image. The Arctic sea areas covered by ice in September 2007, but ice free in September 2008, are visible in dark brown. The Arctic sea covered by ice both in September 2007 and September 2008 are visible in light brown. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is a cooperating member of the European Space Agency (ESA) and contributed to the development of Envisat. To view the image, please visit: www.esa.int/.

12. Prairies Seen From Space

The Prairie Provinces make up the great wheat-producing region of Canada, with Saskatchewan being responsible for more than half of the country’s wheat production. In addition to wheat, the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta host rich oil sands, with Alberta’s reserves estimated to be the largest in the world. Alberta’s bitumen-saturated sand deposits represent the equivalent of between 17 and 25 trillion oil barrels. This Envisat MERIS image from October 12 features the contrasting colours of autumn and snow in the northern parts of Canada’s Prairie Provinces, Alberta (left), Saskatchewan (middle) and Manitoba (right): http://esamultimedia.esa.int/. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is a cooperating member of ESA and contributed to the development of Envisat.

13. RADARSAT Constellation

The Canadian Space Agency announced on November 14 that MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. has been awarded a 16-month contract valued at $40 million to begin the design of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM). As part of the mission, the three-satellite configuration will provide complete daily coverage of Canada's land and oceans as well as significant coverage of international areas for Canadian and international users. It will fully support the priorities of the government and enhance Canada's ability to ensure its sovereignty and security through space-borne maritime surveillance, including the Northwest Passage. To read the news release, please visit: www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/media/news_releases/2008/1114.asp.

14. RADARSAT-2 1^st Anniversary: December 14 2008

With its flexible modes of imagery and state-of-the-art technology, RADARSAT-2 is being used by the Government of Canada to meet the current and evolving priorities of the Government and the needs of Canadians, including research and development. RADARSAT-2, together with RADARSAT-1 help assure Canada’s safe navigation in icy waters, patrol of coastal waters, support for pollution and fisheries interdiction, and, sustainable development of the far north. RADARSAT-2 is an important space asset, providing Government departments with the continuity of critical and timely data for the active management of natural resources and monitoring of the environment. For more information on RADARSAT-2, please visit the following web sites: www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/satellites/radarsat2/default.asp (CSA) and www.radarsat2.info/ (MDA Geospacial Services).

15. GEO Forest Monitoring Symposium Summary

The GEO Forest Monitoring Symposium was held on November 4-7 in Foz do Iguacu in Brazil. The Symposium concluded that several existing products clearly demonstrate the ability of Earth observations to improve global forest monitoring. To access the symposium summary, please visit ftp://ftp.asc-csa.gc.ca/users/EO-Express/pub/ or contact MBrady@NRCan.gc.ca.

16. POLinSAR 2009

The European Space Agency is organizing POLinSAR 2009, the 4th International Workshop on Science and Applications of SAR Polarimetry and Polarimetric Interferometry, which will be hosted in ESRIN, Frascati, Italy on 26-30 January 2009. One of the objectives is to present polarimetric and interferometric results from RADARSAT-2, ALOS, PALSAR and TerraSAR-X. For more information, please visit: http://earth.esa.int/workshops/polinsar2009/.

17. Season's Greetings

The EO Express team wishes you happy holidays and a successful 2009. We hope that you have enjoyed the CSA Earth observation news and events reported in EO-Express in 2008. Your feedback and contributions to eo-express@asc-csa.gc.ca help us keep the Earth observation community better informed.