Earth observations and integrative models in support of food security

Authors: UZ, S. - Goddard Space Flight Center; RUANE, A. - Goddard Space Flight Center; DUNCAN, B - Goddard Space Flight Center; TUCKER, C.J. - Goddard Space Flight Center; HUFFMAN, G. - Goddard Space Flight Center; MLADENOVA, I. - Goddard Space Flight Center; OSMANOGLU, B. - Goddard Space Flight Center; HOLMES, T. - Goddard Space Flight Center; MCNALLY, A. - Goddard Space Flight Center; PETER-LIDARD, C. - Goddard Space Flight Center; BOLTEN, J. - Goddard Space Flight Center; DAS, N. - Jet Propulsion Laboratory; RODELL, M. - Goddard Space Flight Center; MCCARTNEY, S. - Goddard Space Flight Center; Anderson, Martha; DOORN, B. - Goddard Space Flight Center

Submitted to: Remote Sensing in Earth Systems Sciences
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/17/2019
Publication Date: 11/7/2018
Citation: Uz, S., Ruane, A., Duncan, B., Tucker, C., Huffman, G., Mladenova, I., Osmanoglu, B., Holmes, T., Mcnally, A., Peter-Lidard, C., Bolten, J., Das, N., Rodell, M., McCartney, S., Anderson, M.C., Doorn, B. 2018. Earth observations and integrative models in support of food security. Remote Sensing in Earth Systems Sciences. 2(1):18-38. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41976-019-0008-6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41976-019-0008-6

Interpretive Summary: As the world’s population grows and climate changes, food security is a growing global problem, inextricably tied to water and energy, demanding a multi-sectoral, global solution. Satellite remote sensing is increasingly being integrated into operational agricultural monitoring efforts including yield prediction, drought and famine early warning, and assessment of crop water use efficiency and environmental impacts in global production systems. This paper provides an overview of major classes of global operational Earth remote sensing datasets that have utility for agricultural monitoring. Observables discussed include primary production, land degradation, precipitation, terrestrial water storage, snow water equivalent, soil moisture, evapotranspiration, water quality, air quality. In addition, various modeling systems equipped to ingest these satellite datasets are described, relating to regional hydrology, crop development, agricultural pests and diseases, disaster risk assessment, and climate change impacts. Collectively, these data products and modeling systems represent the current state of the art in agricultural monitoring in support of food and water security applications. New and emerging science and technology can foster solutions for some of society’s challenges regarding current and future hunger, malnutrition, and instability due to food shortages.

Technical Abstract: Global food production depends upon many factors that Earth observing satellites routinely measure about water, energy, weather, and ecosystems. Increasingly sophisticated, publicly-available satellite data products can improve efficiencies in resource management and provide earlier indication of environmental disruption. Satellite remote sensing provides a consistent, long-term record that can be used effectively to detect large-scale features over time, such as a developing drought. Accuracy and capabilities have increased along with the range of Earth observations and derived products that can support food security decisions with actionable information. This paper highlights major capabilities facilitated by satellite observations and physical models that have been developed and validated using remotely-sensed observations. Although we primarily focus on variables relevant to agriculture, we also include a brief description of the growing use of Earth observations in support of aquaculture and fisheries.