|
Review of Remote Sensing Needs and Applications in Africa: Executive Summary
| |
|
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) requested the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Center for Earth Resources Observation and Science
(EROS) to undertake a review of current and potential capabilities at regional remote sensing centers in Africa to use remote sensing (RS) applications
for societal benefit. In addition, USAID requested an evaluation of the utility and appropriateness of a web-based data, information, and decision
support system (DSS) portal such as a SERVIR model for Africa. The SERVIR model is currently implemented for Mesoamerica.
The primary objective of this activity is: to recommend to USAID a feasible and most appropriate approach to support sustainable RS applications at African Regional Remote Sensing Centers. |
 |
|
We clarify our use of "RS applications" to mean the acquisition, maintenance and archiving, dissemination and distribution, and analysis and interpretation
of remote sensing data, as well as the integration of interpreted data with other spatial data and models, to address various needs. Our objective,
oriented toward sustainability, also includes training in all aspects of RS applications. In addition, we limit most of our discussion to sub-Saharan
Africa, i.e., "Africa" generally refers to sub-Saharan Africa.
There are many continental, regional, and national institutions, organizations, initiatives, and networks in Africa involved in geospatial data and information analysis and distribution; an evaluation of all such geospatial data activities was beyond the scope of this study. However, because of our historical and current collaboration with three regional RS centers in Africa (the AGRHYMET Regional Center [ARC] in Niamey, Niger; the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development [RCMRD] in Nairobi, Kenya; and the Southern African Development Community [SADC] Regional Remote Sensing Unit [RRSU] in Gaborone, Botswana), we concentrated on reviewing the current remote sensing needs and applications at those centers. Visiting scientists from RCMRD and RRSU worked with the evaluation team onsite at EROS. ARC staff provided valuable input to this report as well. This report addresses the needs of the Regional Centers, as well as the needs of their constituent partners, for hardware, software, internet connections and information technology (IT), database management, RS data, and training in RS applications. (Sustainable) Remote Sensing Applications in Africa -- at Regional Centers (PPT) (Sustainable) Remote Sensing Applications in Africa -- at Regional Centers (PDF) |
|