Pollino Project Action D: a multiscale approach in the space-time domain to environmental risk monitoring

Physical parameters related to Earth surface and atmosphere show different behaviors when observed at different space-time scales by using both remote sensing or traditional ground based techniques. The main aim of this project was to investigate the information content degradation which results moving from the use of observations obtained by direct-punctual (ground-based), higher spectral/spatial resolution (airborne sensors), higher time-resolution, low cost and low spatial resolution (satellites), in the context of the activities related to natural and environmental risks monitoring in protected natural areas. Several observational techniques have been contemporary used during two fields campaigns in the Pollino National Park (Southern Italy): a) from ground by direct measurements of near surface parameters (from - 70cm of depth up to 200cm of height) as well as by radiosonde and radiometric measurements of surface and atmospheric parameters; b) using hyperspectral (MIVIS) and photographic aerial observations; c) from LANDSAT-TM, NOAAA/AVHRR and ADEOS/AVIRIS satellite sounders. Campaign data have been integrated on a GIS (including high resolution cartographic layers) and long term evolutionary trends (up to 20 years) also considered after the analysis of available historical, LANDSAT and NOAA, satellite records. This paper will present the main achievements of the project with special emphasis on the trade-off between expected performances and economical sustainability of different environmental monitoring strategies in an operational context.