(SAR) to Support Agricultural Monitoring 2 - Group on Earth ...

International GEO Workshop on <strong>SAR</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Support</strong> <strong>Agricultural</strong> Moni<strong>to</strong>ring
Dr. Justice emphasized that we need Global Crop Calendars <strong>to</strong> answer the question: “Where
are the data needed and when?” This information would lead <strong>to</strong> a global data acquisition
strategy. Then the <strong>Agricultural</strong> Moni<strong>to</strong>ring CoP could have a focused planning meeting with
the <strong>SAR</strong> Space Agencies <strong>to</strong> create a coordinated systematic acquisition strategy. A CEOS
<strong>SAR</strong> focus group is needed similar <strong>to</strong> other CEOS working groups.
The CEOS Land Surface Imaging (LSI) task group should address <strong>SAR</strong> Constellations. The
timing needs for <strong>Agricultural</strong> Moni<strong>to</strong>ring should influence acquisition planning for Sentinel 1
and 2 and other systems in planning.
Dr. Justice pointed out that large workshops are expensive, but Latin America and Africa
need attention, and general meetings on <strong>Agricultural</strong> Moni<strong>to</strong>ring should be considered for
2010/2011. He suggested that the CoP should now move <strong>to</strong> more focused thematic smaller
workshops (as discussed in GTWS) on aspects of <strong>SAR</strong> in the context of JECAM. Proposals
for hosting workshops are welcome.
There is a need for ongoing community interactions through the CoP, in order <strong>to</strong> make a
stronger community voice in GEO. The CoP should implement recommendations arrived at
by consensus, and they should lobby decision-makers. There is a need <strong>to</strong> fully integrate <strong>SAR</strong>
practitioners in<strong>to</strong> the GEO Ag 0703 Task, but he would not recommend a <strong>SAR</strong> CoP.
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