90m SRTM Data for the Tropics

An integral part of the Land Use Projects work involves the use of high-resolution biophysical data about the land surface. Central to this is topographic data, which controls many environmental processes from climate to biology and to soils. In the past, our research has used global elevation datasets such as the GTOPO30 from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), or digitized cartographic maps and produced high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) for more specific regions. The release of the Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) from NASA heralds a new age in the way in which we do research. We can now work anywhere in the globe and have base topographic data without the need for lengthy digitalization. Predictive models which use terrain attributes can also be applied globally, and is no longer restricted to the coverage of internally produced DEMs.

Global 1km Climate Surfaces

The Land Use Project has collected climate data in stations located in the tropics for over 20 years. The climate database is one of the largest collections of climate information in the world, and contains registrations of more than 20,000 stations of Latin America, Asia, and Africa. In collaboration with Robert Hijmans of the University of Berkeley, these data along with other climate data collections have been used to produce high-resolution climate surfaces of maximum temperature, minimum temperature, and rainfall. The climate grids cover the entire globe, with a cell resolution of 1 km. This is a unique dataset for the globe, and is available for download from the WORLDCLIM Web page.

Photogrammetry

The area of digital photogrammetry is responsible for the analysis of aerial photographs. Its objective is to survey graphic and topographical information of geographical relief and to work in coordination with the Land Use Project.

Remote Sensing

The remote sensing team consists of various technicians and specialists currently involved in the Planning for Rural Development project; and the team supports the data capture group of the project.

In addition, all the personnel involved offer support to different CIAT projects and to other agencies or Latin American institutions as required.

For this, it counts on specialists that are continuously trained in the two large areas of study of the remote sensing group: Interpretation and analysis of satellite images and radar.