MEV 024: Unit 14 – Application of geoinformatics in climate change studies

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UNIT 14: APPLICATION OF GEOINFORMATICS IN CLIMATE CHANGE STUDIES

14.1 Introduction

Geoinformatics has emerged as a vital tool in addressing the multifaceted impacts of climate change. It facilitates continuous, real-time monitoring and analysis of environmental parameters across various ecosystems, helping scientists and policymakers detect changes and implement informed strategies. Applications range from greenhouse gas (GHG) mapping and drought forecasting to monitoring forest degradation, glacier retreat, urban heat islands, and coastal vulnerabilities. This unit explores these practical applications in detail.

14.2 Objective

  • To examine the diverse applications of geoinformatics in monitoring and mitigating climate change impacts.
  • To understand how remote sensing, GIS, and satellite data are used to assess specific environmental parameters.
  • To evaluate the role of geospatial tools in forest, glacier, coastal, and urban climate studies.
  • To explore the relevance of geoinformatics in assessing health and ecosystem impacts of climate change.

14.3 Geoinformatics in Climate Change Studies

14.3.1 Mapping of GHGs Distribution

Satellite-based remote sensing systems such as NASA’s OCO-2 and ESA’s Sentinel-5P are capable of mapping Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) like carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O). These datasets provide:

  • Global and regional maps of GHG concentrations,
  • Identification of emission hotspots (e.g., urban areas, industrial zones),
  • Temporal trends of emission patterns,
  • Input for climate models to forecast warming scenarios.

14.3.2 Mapping of Evapotranspiration (ET) for Drought and Rainfall Prediction

Evapotranspiration (ET) combines evaporation and plant transpiration, and is a key factor in water balance and drought monitoring. Remote sensing data, such as from MODIS and Landsat, help:

  • Estimate ET using vegetation indices and land surface temperature,
  • Predict drought severity and rainfall deficits,
  • Support agricultural water management and irrigation planning.

14.3.3 Forests

Forests are sensitive indicators and regulators of climate. Geoinformatics enables:

14.3.3.1 Forest Cover Change Detection

  • Detection of deforestation and afforestation,
  • Mapping forest fragmentation and degradation using NDVI and other vegetation indices,
  • Long-term land cover change analysis using Landsat, MODIS, and Sentinel datasets.

14.3.3.2 Forest Fire and Biomass Burning

  • Near real-time monitoring of wildfires using thermal sensors (e.g., VIIRS, MODIS FIRMS),
  • Estimation of burnt area and fire intensity,
  • Calculation of biomass loss and related GHG emissions.

14.3.3.3 Incidence of Pests and Diseases in Forest Ecosystem

  • Identification of stress zones caused by pest outbreaks through remote sensing imagery,
  • Mapping disease spread across forest regions,
  • Linking vegetation health indicators (e.g., EVI, SAVI) with pest infestation levels.

14.3.4 Glaciers

Remote sensing tools are essential for monitoring glacial health and climate change impacts in high-altitude areas:

  • Measurement of glacier retreat and advance using multi-temporal imagery,
  • Estimation of snow cover and ice thickness using radar (e.g., Sentinel-1),
  • Mapping glacier-fed water systems to assess future water availability.

14.3.5 Assessment of Land Surface Temperature (LST)

LST is a critical variable in urban climate and global warming assessments. Satellite thermal sensors help:

  • Generate high-resolution LST maps,
  • Detect changes in surface heating patterns,
  • Identify temperature anomalies during heatwaves.

14.3.5.1 Analysis of Urban Heat Island (UHI)

Urban Heat Island (UHI) refers to elevated temperatures in urban areas due to dense infrastructure and less vegetation. GIS and thermal imagery are used to:

  • Compare urban vs rural temperatures,
  • Identify UHI zones,
  • Suggest green infrastructure for cooling (e.g., green roofs, urban forests).

14.3.6 Human Health

Climate change affects human health by increasing heat stress, spreading vector-borne diseases, and deteriorating air quality. Geoinformatics aids in:

  • Mapping heat vulnerability zones,
  • Tracking disease outbreaks (e.g., malaria, dengue) using climate and vegetation data,
  • Assessing pollution levels in urban regions.

14.3.7 Coastal Areas

Coastal zones are vulnerable to sea-level rise, erosion, and extreme events.

14.3.7.1 Bleaching of Coral Reefs

  • Remote sensing detects ocean warming and turbidity linked to coral bleaching,
  • Monitors reef health over time using spectral indices,
  • Provides data for marine conservation planning.

14.4 Let Us Sum Up

  • Geoinformatics plays a crucial role in climate change studies through spatial data analysis.
  • It helps in mapping greenhouse gases, evapotranspiration, land temperature, forest dynamics, glacier behavior, and more.
  • These applications enable timely intervention and policy-making in diverse ecosystems including urban, forested, glacial, and coastal regions.
  • Limitations such as resolution constraints, data interpretation complexity, and cloud cover issues must be acknowledged.

14.5 Key Words (with Definitions)

  1. Geoinformatics – A field combining GIS, remote sensing, and GNSS for analyzing geospatial data related to Earth systems.
  2. Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) – Atmospheric gases like CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O that trap heat and contribute to global warming.
  3. Evapotranspiration (ET) – The total water loss from soil (evaporation) and plants (transpiration) into the atmosphere.
  4. Forest Cover Change – Variations in the extent and density of forested areas over time, influenced by deforestation, afforestation, and degradation.
  5. NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) – A remote sensing index used to measure vegetation health and cover.
  6. Biomass Burning – The combustion of living or dead vegetation that releases carbon dioxide and other gases into the atmosphere.
  7. Urban Heat Island (UHI) – A phenomenon where urban regions exhibit higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas due to human activities.
  8. Land Surface Temperature (LST) – The temperature of the Earth's surface derived from satellite thermal data.
  9. Glacier Retreat – The shrinking of glacier boundaries over time due to melting, commonly linked to global warming.
  10. Coral Bleaching – A stress response in corals often caused by elevated sea temperatures, resulting in loss of color and vitality.
  11. GIS (Geographic Information System) – A software system for storing, analyzing, and visualizing spatial and geographic data.
  12. Remote Sensing – The use of satellite or aerial sensor technologies to observe and collect data about the Earth's surface.
  13. Thermal Imagery – Satellite data that records emitted heat (infrared radiation) from Earth’s surface, used to assess LST and UHI.
  14. Spectral Indices – Calculated values (e.g., NDVI, EVI) derived from satellite bands used to interpret vegetation, water, and land cover.

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