A satellite data record for long-term applications

Over the last years an increasing need for high-resolution multitemporal AVHRR data sets for the use in climate change studies has been identified. In contrast to ground-based measurements, remote sensing can provide comprehensive information on the dynamics of various environmental parameters. The Remote Sensing Research Group of the University of Bern receives and archives daily full resolution NOAA AVHRR HRPT (High Resolution Picture Transmission) data over Europe. The data record reaches back to 1984 and, to date it represents the most complete data set over the European Alps and therefore offers a valuable insight into the impacts of climate change on the particularly sensitive alpine ecosystems. To establish a historical long-term data set of remote sensing data suitable for the use in mountain climate research certain criteria concerning length of period, data homogeneity and continuity over different sensors of the NOAA and MetOp AVHRR series need to be met (Global Climate Observing System). For this reason, the data reprocessing includes radiometric time- and sensordependent calibration, precise geolocation, atmospheric correction, cloud masking and timeseries specific corrections. Based on this product and the existing algorithms, the long-term behavior of various essential climate variables can be derived and analyzed (Research). Given the importance of mountainous regions for climate change studies, this archive bears the potential of becoming an important tool for the analysis of environmental changes in the Alpine Region.

The satellite data record is kindly supported by the Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research.