About this Research Topic
In this warming and drying century, a good understanding of the hydrological cycle in the land surface-atmosphere continuum is vital for a sustainable and harmonious future. The hydrological processes in the ecosphere are closely related to the stable development and well-being of human society under global climate change given the great importance of ecosystem services and the unmatchable value of water resources in terrestrial ecosystems. Hydrological hazards such as drought and flood severely impact the natural environment and human society, which can even cause catastrophic consequences in underdeveloped regions (e.g., famine, war, and humanitarian crises). In this case, investigations of the interactions between hydrological processes and the ecosphere (ecohydrology) should be strengthened. With the abundant observations collected at different scales and evolving hydrological modeling and analytical tools, we are at a high time to advance the studies on ecohydrology.
Timely and accurate information on the current and future state of water storage and its impact on vegetation growth has many commercial and societal benefits. Currently, our understanding of soil development and vegetation physiology suggests that a spatially accurate, fully predictive theory of water-vegetation ecohydrology is out of reach. This Research Topic focuses on novel data fusion and modeling techniques that advance our knowledge of the interactions between ecosystems and water availability. In particular, it will demonstrate the opportunities and the values of remote sensing in better understanding the ecosystem responses to the changes in water availability. Such as advances in new remote sensing platforms, retrieval algorithms, land surface modeling, and data integration methods in the rapidly developing field of ecohydrological forecasting. This Research Topic will foster the development of modeling and observing capability in ecohydrology that enables decision-making and forward planning with corresponding increases in productivity, sustainability, and community safety.
In particular, but not exclusively, we welcome submissions addressing the following topics using remote sensing from satellite, airborne, unmanned, or ground-based missions:
1) Modelling and data fusion
Ecohydrology forecasting under climate change;
Land surface modeling and data assimilation;
Drought impacts on vegetation ecosystems;
Effects of land use/land cover changes on the water cycle.
2) Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing
Earth’s thermal condition analysis and radiative transfer modeling;
Land surface thermal environment;
Vegetation water stress detection;
Ecosystem responses to the changes in water availability.
3) Ecohydrological Applications
Applications of Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites;
Ecohydrological interactions under hydroclimatic extremes
Ecosystem-based water security and the sustainable development goals (SDGs);
Remote sensing big data in ecohydrology.
Timely and accurate information on the current and future state of water storage and its impact on vegetation growth has many commercial and societal benefits. Currently, our understanding of soil development and vegetation physiology suggests that a spatially accurate, fully predictive theory of water-vegetation ecohydrology is out of reach. This Research Topic focuses on novel data fusion and modeling techniques that advance our knowledge of the interactions between ecosystems and water availability. In particular, it will demonstrate the opportunities and the values of remote sensing in better understanding the ecosystem responses to the changes in water availability. Such as advances in new remote sensing platforms, retrieval algorithms, land surface modeling, and data integration methods in the rapidly developing field of ecohydrological forecasting. This Research Topic will foster the development of modeling and observing capability in ecohydrology that enables decision-making and forward planning with corresponding increases in productivity, sustainability, and community safety.
In particular, but not exclusively, we welcome submissions addressing the following topics using remote sensing from satellite, airborne, unmanned, or ground-based missions:
1) Modelling and data fusion
Ecohydrology forecasting under climate change;
Land surface modeling and data assimilation;
Drought impacts on vegetation ecosystems;
Effects of land use/land cover changes on the water cycle.
2) Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing
Earth’s thermal condition analysis and radiative transfer modeling;
Land surface thermal environment;
Vegetation water stress detection;
Ecosystem responses to the changes in water availability.
3) Ecohydrological Applications
Applications of Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites;
Ecohydrological interactions under hydroclimatic extremes
Ecosystem-based water security and the sustainable development goals (SDGs);
Remote sensing big data in ecohydrology.
Keywords: ecohydrology, data assimilation, remote sensing, land surface modelling, radiative transfer modelling
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
