Agrometeorological information system for operational use in southern Africa

David I. F. Grimes; Rogerio Bonifacio; Nawa Kawana

doi:10.1117/12.373085

17 December 1999 Agrometeorological information system for operational use in southern Africa

David I. F. Grimes, Rogerio Bonifacio, Nawa Kawana

Proceedings Volume 3868, Remote Sensing for Earth Science, Ocean, and Sea Ice Applications; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.373085
Event: Remote Sensing, 1999, Florence, Italy

Abstract

Rainfall monitoring is of vital importance in many parts of Africa dependent on rain-fed agriculture. Rainfall monitoring algorithms using satellite imagery have been available for more than a decade. A number of countries make good use of these data but it remains disappointing that the methodology is not in more widespread use. A recent collaborative project between Reading University and the Zambian Meteorology Service has attempted to address this problem by focusing on two issues -- the accuracy of the estimates and the format of the final product. To improve accuracy, we have developed a geostatistical technique for merging satellite estimates with gauge data which takes account of the relative accuracies of the two data sets. To address the second issue we have developed a versatile software framework allowing the presentation of the rainfall information in a format tailored to the end-user. The final images are emailed as Word documents for easy incorporation into publications. The system has now run successfully for a full rainy season and response from the users has been positive. Crucial to successful implementation has been the involvement of local personnel and dialogue with the user community. Analysis of the first season's results show that the merged rainfall estimates are more accurate than either the satellite or the gauge data used separately.

Citation Download Citation

David I. F. Grimes, Rogerio Bonifacio, and Nawa Kawana "Agrometeorological information system for operational use in southern Africa", Proc. SPIE 3868, Remote Sensing for Earth Science, Ocean, and Sea Ice Applications, (17 December 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.373085

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
11 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Satellites

Error analysis

Calibration

Meteorology

Charge-coupled devices

Climatology

Agriculture

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years