An eco-compatible and sustainable development requires integrated managemen
t of all available information and the extraction of analytical evaluation
on the impact of human activities. Agrometeorology can be used to contribut
e to further understanding of the relative importance of each environmental
component, organising the field activities and optimising the use of natur
al resources. This is especially true today, due to the availability of new
tools, as geographic information systems (GIS). which allow the management
of an incredible quantity of data, as traditional digital maps, database,
models etc. The advantages are manifold and highly important, especially fo
r the fast cross-sector interactions and the production of synthetic and lu
cid information for decision-makers. Remote sensing provides the most impor
tant informative contribution to GIS, which furnishes basic informative lay
ers in optimal time and space resolutions.
This paper describes various recent applications of GLS and remote sensing
in Agrometeorology, both in developed and developing countries. It illustra
tes the possible evolution of these systems and the expected future develop
ments, which can be decisive for a re-launch of the role of this science in
the environmental and land resource management. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science
B.V. All rights reserved.