Benefiting from Earth Observation:

Bridging the Data Gap for Adaptation to Climate Change in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan Region

Session:

The international symposium will have the following major themes, in individual sessions, on the application of Earth observation data and technology, under the overarching theme of climate change adaptation in the HKH region.

Thematic Session I: Remote sensing of the cryosphere

The cryosphere, which encapsulates water in the solid form, is a key natural resource for socioeconomic development, and is in a state of rapid depletion under the influence of global temperature increases, which are particularly pronounced in the HKH region. The absence of regular monitoring mechanisms have resulted in gaps in our understanding of cryogenic processes and the magnitude of changes and have led to a poor understanding of future scenarios for water resources and related hazards. The cryosphere also plays an important role in global atmospheric circulation, thus changes to the Himalayan cryosphere are not only a regional issue but also a global concern and demand major policy change focused towards adaptation and preparedness. The objective of this session will be to exchange and share knowledge and experience in the field of cryosphere mapping, focusing particularly on glaciers and snow, and on hydrological applications for modelling of water availability scenarios. This forum will also be useful in building a consensus among regional stakeholders on mechanisms for a way forward to establish a regional cryosphere mapping and monitoring system for the HKH region.

The session will include the following sub-themes:

• Snow cover mapping and monitoring;
• Glacier mapping and change detection;
• Monitoring and predicting water availability;
• Understanding dynamics of cyrosphere - operational services and research

Thematic Session II: Spatial decision support system (DSS) for ecosystem

The HKH region is highly heterogeneous with a wide range of habitats, and varied micro-climates and ecological conditions, resulting in a high level of biodiversity. It is home to some of the world’s most threatened and endemic species; a large number of people in the region live in poverty and depend upon these biological resources for their subsistence. The region continues to face enormous pressures as a result of changes taking place globally, which have negative impacts on biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, and the wellbeing of people living in the mountains. However, the link between climate change and biodiversity is poorly understood. This session will provide a platform for sharing experiences on innovative geospatial tools and methods aimed at coping with the challenges presented by the impacts of climate change on mountain ecosystems. The papers in this session will present innovative development approaches and recommendations for policy decisions and future initiatives.

The session will include the following sub-themes:

• Impacts of climate change on biodiversity;
• Livelihood options for adapting to climate change;
• Earth observation for ecosystem assessment and management;
• Decision support tools and approaches for ecosystem management

Thematic Session III: Space-based information for disaster management

The impacts of climate change are already becoming evident in the HKH region in the form of a higher incidence and intensity of natural disasters. It is increasingly clear that the lives and livelihoods of the people of this region are at risk. The HKH region is among the most vulnerable regions in the world to natural hazards, particularly those induced by weather and climate, and these often lead to disasters impeding socioeconomic development and poverty reduction efforts. Earth observation has proven to be an invaluable source of information and enables the disaster management community to make critical decisions for better preparedness and to improve initial assessments of the nature and magnitude of damage and destruction. Data access, timeliness, appropriateness, data sharing, training, and transnational cooperation are the key elements of an appropriate disaster management framework for the international and national communities. This session will draw the attention of policymakers and scientists to an integrated approach to link Earth observation, in situ data, and models to develop climate change adaptation strategies that reduce the risks from disasters in mountain areas. The objectives of this session will be to share information on activities being implemented in the field of disaster risk mapping and management, to explore new technologies and ideas using Earth observation systems, and to seek possible methods of integrating various kinds of data related to natural hazards and disasters.

The session will include the following sub-themes:

• Minimising risks due to climate induced disasters;
• Earth observation for hazard and vulnerability mapping;
• Forest fire and their impact on climatic system;
• Rapid response mapping and regional/international cooperation

Thematic Session IV: Land cover change, and carbon stock

Reliable land cover and land cover change analysis and assessment are essential for the sustainable management of natural resources; understanding and mitigating climate change; modelling of ecosystems and biogeochemical cycling; and to address other important issues such as food security and carbon stocks. Land cover physiognomies reveal ongoing processes of deforestation, desertification, urbanisation, loss of biodiversity and ecosystem functions, and water and energy management. In situ and satellite-based land observation efforts, as well as different disciplines (i.e., geography, ecology, geology, and forestry), use and refer to land cover as one of the most obvious and easily detectable indicators of land surface features. Satellite remote sensing is an essential data source providing regular data that contribute to the estimation of status and trends, including historical trends, of land use/land cover and carbon density in landscapes. Progress in remote sensing science and operations need to be better clarified and linked to opportunities, applicability, and limitations to establish robust national monitoring systems. It is important to provide stakeholders in ‘reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation’ (REDD) with clear and widely agreed knowledge on the performance of satellite remote sensing for investment decisions related to monitoring.

The key topics covered in the session are:

• Harmonising and standardising land cover database;
• Forest cover mapping and change assessment;
• Remote sensing tools and methods for REDD;
• Assessing carbon stock and modelling

Themaitc Session V: Transboundary air pollution monitoring

Aerosols play an important role in all problems connected with air pollution, ranging from very local effects to regional problems such as acid deposition, stratospheric ozone loss, and climatic change. Aerosols also have an impact on human health and agricultural productivity. However, the HKH region faces enormous challenges in the systematic collection of scientific data and information on atmospheric air pollution due to difficult terrain, harsh climatic conditions, and inaccessibility. Earth observation has been a valuable tool in monitoring, assessing, and mapping atmospheric pollution and providing the time series data at various spatial scales.

This session will focus on the use of Earth observation in the following topics:

• Remote sensing of air quality;
• Regional climate implications of air pollution;
• Impacts of air pollution on health and agriculture;
• Remote sensing of black carbon

Themaric Session VI: Spatial data infrastructure (SDI) for climate change adaptation

GeoInformation and Earth observation technologies, together with decision support tools and information and communication technologies (ICT), have greatly changed the way in which issues in relation to livelihoods, resource management, and environmental conservation have been addressed. The problem of insufficient data and information in the HKH region in relation to understanding and addressing the issues of climate change is further aggravated by difficulties in finding and using existing information. There is a clear need, at all levels, to be able to access, integrate, and use spatial data from disparate sources to guide decision making. The concept of spatial data infrastructure (SDI) has emerged to address this need, and includes the collection of technologies, policies, and institutional arrangements that facilitate the availability of, and access to, spatial data. SDI provides a basis for spatial data discovery, evaluation, and application for users and providers, thus increasing the ability to make sound decisions collectively at the local, regional, and global levels.

This session will focus on the issues related to the availability and accessibility of Earth observation data for climate change studies and will cover the following topics:

• Climate Information Services;
• Integration of Earth observation data in climate change modelling;
• Regional climatic database sharing and exchange;
• Regional SDI for climate change

The symposium will also bring together Earth observation related industry partners to exhibit relevant data and products in parallel with the technical sessions.