The increase in human population has led to the expansion of urbanization and the occupation of natural habitats of untouched nature. Perhaps even the growth of the number of people on the planet does not represent such a big problem for the preservation of natural habitats, as much as the influence of man’s greed to take more than he needs. There is so much living world on Earth and they live together, and it seems that it is only for man tight and that it has to be spreads more and more every day. There are a number of reasons why biodiversity is threatened, and the loss of habitat is currently the biggest threat.
How much we as a species have contributed to endangering others can be shown through the example of tigers. The data shows that Bengal tigers were once widespread throughout Asia, but over 90 percent of their habitat has been lost in the last 150 years.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) started the program back in 1972 Landsat which focuses on recording the surface of our planet, with the aim of studying changes in habitats, climatic conditions, natural resource management… After more than five decades of observation, this program has created an archive of data that has contributed to a much better understanding of our planet, its natural resources and dynamic processes. The program consists of a series of satellite missions, and as stated on the official NASA website, Landsat Next is the next mission expected to be launched at the end of 2030. Advanced technology will enable improved monitoring and management of changing landscapes.
However, while we wait for that, I would like to look back at the significance of the missions so far. Nine missions have been carried out so far, the first was launched in 1972, the second in 1975, the third in 1978, the fourth in 1982, the fifth in 1984, the sixth in 1993, the seventh in 1999, the eighth in 2013 and the last in 2021.
Landsat satellites play a very important role in the protection of endangered animal species. One of the ways they protect them is their ability to use infrared light to map and monitor vegetation health. Although infrared light is not visible to the human eye, it is very useful for plants and researching their health. Depending on the health of the plant, it reflects infrared light in a different way, a Landsat sensors can precisely measure that reflection. Based on the data collected in this way, scientists more accurately assess the health of natural habitats. The vegetation of a given area is important both for food and shelter, and for the overall health of the ecosystem.
Landsat satellites can also accurately map ecosystems such as mangrove forests, coral reefs and others. NASA announced that, for example, thanks to these missions, scientists identified 650 barrier islands around the world that were unknown until then.
Based on years of data collection, scientists can observe changes in habitats, monitor climate change, water management, then monitor agricultural production, as well as forest fires or deforestation, all of which are important in order to better manage natural habitats, which are already degraded and crucial for the survival of endangered species.
First radio, Landsat satellites have revealed the emergence of green areas in the Arctic, i.e. an increase in vegetation, which is a consequence of climate change and ice melting. This has helped scientists understand how these ecosystems are changing and how this affects animal life.
Another nice example, which I would leave for the end of this text, concerns the mapping of new habitats for endangered species, which were not known until then. It is a marsh bird Yuma Ridgway’s rail, which is classified as a critically endangered species. In this way, scientists are enabled to better plan measures to protect and restore the population, in their natural environment.
Katarina Vuinac
Source: energetskiportal.rs
