Applications of geographical information systems and remote sensing in agrometeorology

An eco-compatible and sustainable development requires integrated management of all available information and the extraction of analytical evaluation on the impact of human activities. Agrometeorology can be used to contribute to further understanding of the relative importance of each environmental component, organising the field activities and optimising the use of natural resources. This is especially true today, due to the availability of new tools, as geographic information systems (GIS). which allow the management of an incredible quantity of data, as traditional digital maps, database, models etc. The advantages are manifold and highly important, especially for the fast cross-sector interactions and the production of synthetic and lucid information for decision-makers. Remote sensing provides the most important informative contribution to GIS, which furnishes basic informative layers in optimal time and space resolutions. This paper describes various recent applications of GLS and remote sensing in Agrometeorology, both in developed and developing countries. It illustrates the possible evolution of these systems and the expected future developments, which can be decisive for a re-launch of the role of this science in the environmental and land resource management. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.