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IEM
Integrated Environmental Monitoring
IEM Technical Summary 2005
IEM Technical Summary 2004
IEM Technical Summary
 
Rapid population growth and economic development in the Asia-Pacific region has resulted in serious local, national and regional environmental problems such as floods, droughts, forest fires, dust storms, air, water and soil pollution, desertification, salinization, water resource depletion, and soil loss (Fig.1). Such problems are a serious constraint to sustainable development in the region.
IEM Products
The Integrated Environmental Monitoring (IEM) sub-project will develop an integrated
environmental monitoring system that can be used to detect, monitor and assess environmental disasters and degradation, and their impacts in the Asia-Pacific region. The system employs data primarily from the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer) sensor on the Earth Observation System (EOS)- Terra/Aqua satellite, as well as those from ground observations.
  The main elements of the IEM system are:
MODIS data: Remote sensing data and images covering the Asia-Pacific region from a network of satellite receiving stations in the region is the foundation of IEM.
Ecological indices: From raw MODIS data a set of higher order indices and information is derived, such as a water deficit index, a dust storm index, land surface temperature, land cover change, and net primary productivity.
Watershed management model: An integrated watershed management model is being developed to assess the state of and changes in ecological goods and services in such areas as fresh water resources and food production. With this model strategic policy options for sustainable watershed management will be explored.
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IEM Achievements in 2002
IEM established an integrated monitoring network system under the auspices of the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) in Japan and the Institute for Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR) of the Chinese Academy of Science in China, and expanded it with additional participation by the National University of Singapore and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in Australia. The network covers most of the Asia-Pacific region (Fig.2).
IEM also established two data-analyzing centers at NIES in Japan and IGSNRR in China. These centers not only store a wide variety of satellite data, but also various ground-based measurements. A data processing system for deriving the higher order environmental indices from MODIS data was also completed (Fig.3). These indices can be used to detect and monitor environmental disasters / degradations and identify vulnerable areas. They can also be used as inputs to a range of models for assessing climate change, ecological conditions and agricultural production.
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Although numerous satellite-derived indices in the Asia-Pacific region have already been produced by other projects / organizations, most have yet to be calibrated or validated by ground-truth data and they might contain significant uncertainties. Thus, IEM established five validation sites in a variety of ecosystems in China such as grassland, dry field, paddy field, forest, and semi-arid area. The data gathered at these sites includes information related to radiation, meteorology, and soil and vegetation. Using these consistent and quality assured datasets, IEM can produce accurate and reliable information
specific to the region. Comparison between existing MODIS product of surface temperature without ground truth validation (Ts-MOD) and IEM ground observation data (Ts-Obs) clearly indicates that the existing product are likely to contain significant error (Fig.4).
IEM developed an integrated watershed management model which couples both a MODIS-based ecosystem model and a sophisticated DSSAT (Decision Support System for Agro-technology Transfer) model. This integrated model simulates ecological functions such as the water, heat and carbon cycles, sediment transport, as well as agricultural production on a watershed scale (Fig.5).
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This model can be a powerful tool for determining the wise use of ecological goods and services such as freshwater resources (irrigation) and crop production. DSSAT model can provide information on the amount and timing of irrigation to produce the highest crop yield. For example, the model has been applied to wheat production in the North China Plain, one of the largest bases of crop production in China. With this model, the best timing of irrigation with a certain amount of water resource between one-time and two-time irrigation was simulated (Fig.6). According to the simulation, the highest yield was achieved, by two-time divided irrigation on April 10 and May 1, which was more efficient than one-time irrigation. Thus, through scientific irrigation cheduling, water use efficiency could be improved while maintaining high wheat yields.
IEM held its first capacity building workshop in China in September 2002. In addition, it held a workshop on sustainable environmental management of watershed ecosystems in the Asia-Pacific region jointly with the MA in Novmeber 2002.
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IEM Major Progress in 2003
Participation of China, Singapore, and Australia, the Integrated monitoring network system covers most of the Asia-Pacific Region
Establishment of five ground-base monitoring sites in China to validate MODIS data in order to produce accurate and reliable information
Scenarios developed by using integrated watershed management model over the whole Jialingjian River Catchment contribute to flood-prevention policies by the Chinese Government

More Details in IEM Technical Summaries 2004 (PDF)
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IEM Major Progress in 2004
Participation of China, Singapore, and Australia, the Integrated monitoring network system covers most of the Asia-Pacific Region
Continuously monitoring of various ecosystems to validate MODIS satellite data to produce accurate and reliable information
Correctly detecting the land cover change, forest fire, flood area, natural disasters, crop yield and carbon fixation by using IEM data
Scenarios developed by using integrated watershed management model over the Changjiang River Catchment contribute to watershed management policies by the Chinese Government

More Details in IEM Technical Summaries 2005 (PDF)
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