How does Sentinel-2 protect India’s biodiversity?
India, a country with a rich and diverse range of flora and fauna, is home to a wide variety of ecosystems, including wetlands, forests, and grasslands. These ecosystems are not only essential for maintaining the country’s biodiversity but also provide numerous benefits to the environment, including climate regulation, water purification, and soil conservation. However, India’s biodiversity is facing numerous threats, including habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change. To combat these threats, scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), and Gujarat University have developed a new satellite mapping system, Sentinel-2, which can identify submerged plants with 94% accuracy.
The Sentinel-2 system is a game-changer for monitoring and protecting India’s biodiversity, particularly in its wetlands. Wetlands are some of the most threatened ecosystems in India, with many facing degradation and destruction due to human activities such as agriculture, urbanization, and pollution. The Sentinel-2 system uses satellite imagery to monitor the health of wetlands and track changes in plant life over time. The system has been used to monitor 500 of India’s largest wetlands, and the results are alarming. Nearly 100 lakes, mostly in central and southern India, have seen a major decline in vital plant life, highlighting the urgent need for climate action.
The study, which used Sentinel-2 satellite data, found that the decline in plant life is largely due to changes in water levels, pollution, and human activities such as agriculture and urbanization. The decline in plant life has serious implications for the environment, as plants play a crucial role in maintaining the health of wetlands. Plants help to purify water, prevent soil erosion, and provide habitat for a wide range of animals. Without plants, wetlands can become degraded, leading to a decline in biodiversity and an increase in pollution.
The Sentinel-2 system is a powerful tool for monitoring and protecting India’s biodiversity. The system can identify changes in plant life over time, allowing scientists to track the health of wetlands and identify areas that need conservation efforts. The system can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of conservation efforts, such as the restoration of wetlands and the reintroduction of native plant species.
The development of the Sentinel-2 system is a significant achievement for Indian scientists, who have been working to develop new technologies for monitoring and protecting the country’s biodiversity. The system is a testament to the power of collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and conservationists, who are working together to protect India’s natural heritage.
The results of the study using Sentinel-2 data call for urgent climate action. The decline in plant life in India’s wetlands is a warning sign that the country’s biodiversity is under threat. The Indian government has launched several initiatives to protect the country’s biodiversity, including the National Mission for Sustainable Habitat, which aims to promote sustainable development and reduce the impact of climate change on the environment.
However, more needs to be done to protect India’s biodiversity. The government needs to take urgent action to address the decline in plant life in the country’s wetlands, including restoring degraded wetlands, reintroducing native plant species, and reducing pollution. The government also needs to work with local communities, NGOs, and other stakeholders to promote sustainable development and reduce the impact of human activities on the environment.
In conclusion, the Sentinel-2 system is a powerful tool for monitoring and protecting India’s biodiversity. The system has the potential to revolutionize the way we monitor and protect the country’s ecosystems, particularly its wetlands. The results of the study using Sentinel-2 data are a wake-up call for the Indian government and other stakeholders to take urgent action to protect the country’s biodiversity. We must work together to promote sustainable development, reduce the impact of climate change, and protect India’s natural heritage for future generations.
News Source: https://researchmatters.in/news/satellite-monitoring-reveals-declining-plant-life-hundreds-indian-wetlands
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