LAND - Biodiversity

Delta of the Lena River

Lena Delta (Russia).
Landsat 7 (27/07/00).
Source: USGS/EROS and
NASA Landsat Project
Science Office.

Satellites to protect biodiversity

The Lena River is the 10th longest river in the world and its great delta (about 400 km wide) is located in the far north of Siberia. The delta is frozen tundra for about 7 months of the year. However, springs transforms the region into a lush wetland for the next few months.

The area is a protected wildlife reserve providing an important refuge for large concentrations of birds, including swans, geese and ducks, loons, shorebirds, raptors and gulls. It is also an important fish spawning site.

Question: How can satellites monitor biodiversity ?