Final report : estimation of seasonal dynamics of arid zone pasture and crop productivity using NOAA [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]/AVHRR [advanced very high resolution radiometer] data

The situation demands efficient management of water resources, and advanced estimation and planning of agricultural production, which in turn requires thorough monitoring of the crop environment and conditions, assessment of weather impacts, drought detection, and monitoring of drought expansion, duration, and impact. Since Kazakhstan"s existing weather observation systems are inadequate to this task, this project developed the scientific principles, and the hardware and software background for a non-conventional system that will use National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) operational polar-orbiting satellites for quantitative assessments of pasture/crop conditions and productivity in Kazakhstan. The planned system includes: (1) a completely integrated and self-contained High Resolution Picture Transmission receiving station; (2) an online IBM 486 PC for data collection and initial processing; (3) image processing hardware and software for data processing, storage, and distribution; (4) algorithms for converting satellite radiances into a new Vegetation Condition Index (VCI); and (5) algorithms for converting the VCI into ground-derived environmental and agricultural characteristics such as seasonal dynamic of pasture and crop conditions, their productivity, drought detection, and monitoring. The results of this project will help Kazakhstan to start using new remote sensing technology for drought monitoring. The system will be a key contributor to a program of early warning crop and pasture hazardous condition assessments and predictions of agricultural production. Includes references.