Canada And US Launch Satellite Mapping Project Of North America

Canada and the United States have launched a satellite mapping project of North America to better monitor biodiversity and climate change in the region, Natural Resources Canada said Wednesday. “Using infrared, radar relief and other remote-sensing techniques, the partnership will produce integrated information that will help natural resources managers better assess the health of landscapes, cross-border wildland fire risks, changes in biodiversity and the effects of climate change on permafrost,” the ministry said in a statement.

 

Permafrost is ground that stays at or below the freezing point of water for two or more years, and is a key indicator of global warming.

 

“Working together, this partnership will allow us to share information and maximize our scientific knowledge so that we can better monitor the changes of our land, including the permafrost areas in the North,” said Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn.

 

Joint efforts in the development of permafrost applications will focus first on mapping the Yukon River basin, the ministry said.

 

“A key application in joint permafrost mapping will be assessing the impacts of climate change on human settlements, physical infrastructure and ecosystems in both countries,” the statement added.

 

(Source: Agence France-Presse)