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Tracking desertification with satellites highlighted at UNCCD COP

24 October 2005

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Desertification is the degradation of drylands in terms of their productivity. It is a global problem affecting a quarter of the Earth's surface.

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The Eastern Mediterranean Sea area is highlighted in this Envisat's MERIS image, featuring Turkey, Cyprus and Crete, acquired on 21 July 2004.

This area is vulnerable to earthquakes and Earth Observation satellite images are useful for providing updated views of how the landscape has been affected as well as creating reference cartography for emergency operations.

Credits: ESA

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This map shows Greek territory most at risk of desertification. It was produced by the Greek National Committee for Combating Desertification using traditional surveying techniques. Similar but more comprehensive satellite-based data products will soon be made available by ESA's DesertWatch project.

Credits: Greek National Committee for Combating Desertification

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Similar but more comprehensive satellite-based data products will soon be made available by ESA's DesertWatch project.

Credits: Portugal's National Coordinating Body of the Portugal National Action Program on the UNCCD

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