MERIS potential for land applications

The Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS), to be flown on the Envi sat platform, contributes to the effort made by space agencies to generate Earth observation data that are responsive to the needs of the users. Altho ugh optimized for oceanic applications, this instrument should also be usef ul for a range of terrestrial investigations. This paper reviews the releva nce of a suite of features specific to MERIS (e.g. fine radiometric and spe ctral resolution, programmability, the availability of an onboard calibrati on system) for terrestrial applications. Scientific challenges related to s cale issues, the definition of appropriate algorithms for the optimal explo itation of these data, the opportunity for synergistic studies and the comp arison of MERIS data with other data collected by the Advanced Very High Re solution Radiometer (AVHRR) and other precursor or future instruments are r eviewed. The urgent need for an intensive and sustained research and develo pment programme to define and validate a panoply of high-level products opt imized for terrestrial applications is stressed.