Water Security

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Enhancing Drought Resilience and Crop Yield Security in Vietnam

20 August 20 2018 04 Author(s): -



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Basin-wide impacts of climate change on ecosystem services in the Lower Mekong Basin

17 October 17 2017 04 Author(s): Yongyut Trisurat, Aekkapol Aekakkararungroj, Hwan-ok Ma & John M. Johnston
Abstract: Water resources support more than 60 million people in the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB) and are important for food security—especially rice production— and economic security. This study aims to quantify water yield under near- and long-term climate scenarios and assess the potential impacts on rice cultivation. The InVEST model (Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs) forecasted water yield, and land evaluation was used to delineate suitability classes. Pattern-downscaled climate data were specially generated for the LMB. Predicted annual water yields for 2030 and 2060, derived from a drier overall scenario in combination with medium and high greenhouse gas emissions, indicated a reduction of 9–24% from baseline (average 1986–2005) runoff. In contrast, increased seasonality and wetter rainfall scenarios increased annual runoff by 6–26%. Extreme drought decreased suitability of transplanted rice cultivation by 3%, and rice production would be reduced by 4.2 and 4%, with and without irrigation projects, relative to baseline. Greatest rice reduction was predicted for Thailand, followed by Lao PDR and Cambodia, and was stable for Vietnam. Rice production in the LMB appears sufficient to feed the LMB population in 2030,while rice production in Lao PDR and Cambodia arenot expected to be sufficient for domestic consumption, largely due to steep topography and sandy soils as well as drought. Four adaptation measures to minimize climate impacts (i.e., irrigation, changing the planting calendar, new rice varieties, and alternative crops) are discussed. Read more here
Abstract: Water resources support more than 60 million people in the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB) and are important for food security—especially rice production— and economic security. This study aims to quantify water yield under near- and long-term climate scenarios and assess the potential impacts on rice cultivation. The InVEST model (Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs) forecasted water yield, and land evaluation was used to delineate suitability classes. Pattern-downscaled climate data were specially generated for the LMB. Predicted annual water yields for 2030 and 2060, derived from a drier overall scenario in combination with medium and high greenhouse gas emissions, indicated a reduction of 9–24% from baseline (average 1986–2005) runoff. In contrast, increased seasonality and wetter rainfall scenarios increased annual runoff by 6–26%. Extreme drought decreased suitability of transplanted rice cultivation by 3%, and rice production would be reduced by 4.2 and 4%, with and without irrigation projects, relative to baseline. Greatest rice reduction was predicted for Thailand, followed by Lao PDR and Cambodia, and was stable for Vietnam. Rice production in the LMB appears sufficient to feed the LMB population in 2030,while rice production in Lao PDR and Cambodia arenot expected to be sufficient for domestic consumption, largely due to steep topography and sandy soils as well as drought. Four adaptation measures to minimize climate impacts (i.e., irrigation, changing the planting calendar, new rice varieties, and alternative crops) are discussed. Read more here



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Community Forestry and SERVIR-Mekong

21 March 21 2017 04 Author(s): SERVIR-Mekong



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Dam Inundation Tool Infographic

09 November 09 2016 04 Author(s): SERVIR-Mekong



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Satellite-borne Precipitation Estimation

29 August 29 2016 04 Author(s): SERVIR-Mekong
Source: NASA Enhancing our understanding of global weather and climate with precipitation estimates covering much of the planet Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of weather related events such as droughts and typhoons. However, the current global network of operational, on-the-ground rain gauges is extremely limited and provides relatively poor information for predicting extreme rainfall events and larger precipitation patterns. Innovative technologies reflected in the global scale Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission have now demonstrated that reliable precipitation estimates can be obtained over much of the earth’s surface. These previously unavailable data are helping scientists better understand global weather patterns and providing critical near-real-time information for tracking rainfall and anticipating extreme events such as floods and landslides. Source: NASAThis image labels the major components of the GPM Core Observatory, including the GMI, DPR, HGAS, solar panels, and more. From 1997 to 2015, the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) provided detailed estimates of moderate and heavy rainfall in the tropics. A collaborative mission of NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the TRMM mission combined active RADAR, passive radiometer, and other instrumentation to characterize the type, size, density, and distribution of water particles in the atmosphere. When calibrated with ground measurements, these data yielded reliable estimates of precipitation over vast and continuous area of the earth’s tropical and subtropical zones. This information allowed for better forecasting of flood and drought events that in turn improved disaster preparedness and response planning. Building on the pioneering TRMM mission, the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission was launched by NASA and JAXA in 2014. Using a similar but improved combination of active RADAR and passive radiometer instruments, the GPM mission is actually made up of numerous satellites with one “Core Observatory” that carries an advanced microwave receiver to interpret and harmonize signals from all other satellites in the constellation. This configuration provides estimates of rain and snowfall at a resolution of 25 km x 25 km extending to the 65° north and south latitudes every three hours. GPM data are now crucial inputs to information services related to weather and flood forecasting, water resource management, and soil moisture and crop conditions. Source: NASAA Japanese H-IIA rocket with the NASA-Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory onboard, is seen launching from the Tanegashima Space Center on Friday, Feb. 28, 2014 (Japan Time), in Tanegashima, Japan.  SERVIR-Mekong and GPM Given the diverse landscape of Southeast Asia, the continuous record of TRMM and GPM and the ongoing near-real-time data streams now provided by the GPM mission offer a powerful opportunity to better manage agricultural production and reduce societies vulnerability to weather-related natural disasters. SERVIR-Mekong is currently working with partners to leverage the power of TRMM and GPM data in two flagship decision support products. The Virtual Rain and Stream Gauge Data Service provides TRMM and GPM data to users in the form of customized grid datasets representing the periods and areas required by users or as links to near-real-time data feeds that can be embedded in applications designed to better inform water resource management, enable improved flood forecasting, and facilitate more accurate landslide risk assessments. The Regional Drought Information System, a collaboration of SERVIR-Mekong, a team at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Mekong River Commission’s Drought Management Team, and other partners uses GPM data as a key input to several indices of drought. The value of such information was underscored by the severe drought conditions experienced by much of the region during the first half of 2016.   Link for additional information: NASA: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/GPM/overview/index.html  
Source: NASA Enhancing our understanding of global weather and climate with precipitation estimates covering much of the planet Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of weather related events such as droughts and typhoons. However, the current global network of operational, on-the-ground rain gauges is extremely limited and provides relatively poor information for predicting extreme rainfall events and larger precipitation patterns. Innovative technologies reflected in the global scale Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission have now demonstrated that reliable precipitation estimates can be obtained over much of the earth’s surface. These previously unavailable data are helping scientists better understand global weather patterns and providing critical near-real-time information for tracking rainfall and anticipating extreme events such as floods and landslides. Source: NASAThis image labels the major components of the GPM Core Observatory, including the GMI, DPR, HGAS, solar panels, and more. From 1997 to 2015, the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) provided detailed estimates of moderate and heavy rainfall in the tropics. A collaborative mission of NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the TRMM mission combined active RADAR, passive radiometer, and other instrumentation to characterize the type, size, density, and distribution of water particles in the atmosphere. When calibrated with ground measurements, these data yielded reliable estimates of precipitation over vast and continuous area of the earth’s tropical and subtropical zones. This information allowed for better forecasting of flood and drought events that in turn improved disaster preparedness and response planning. Building on the pioneering TRMM mission, the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission was launched by NASA and JAXA in 2014. Using a similar but improved combination of active RADAR and passive radiometer instruments, the GPM mission is actually made up of numerous satellites with one “Core Observatory” that carries an advanced microwave receiver to interpret and harmonize signals from all other satellites in the constellation. This configuration provides estimates of rain and snowfall at a resolution of 25 km x 25 km extending to the 65° north and south latitudes every three hours. GPM data are now crucial inputs to information services related to weather and flood forecasting, water resource management, and soil moisture and crop conditions. Source: NASAA Japanese H-IIA rocket with the NASA-Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory onboard, is seen launching from the Tanegashima Space Center on Friday, Feb. 28, 2014 (Japan Time), in Tanegashima, Japan.  SERVIR-Mekong and GPM Given the diverse landscape of Southeast Asia, the continuous record of TRMM and GPM and the ongoing near-real-time data streams now provided by the GPM mission offer a powerful opportunity to better manage agricultural production and reduce societies vulnerability to weather-related natural disasters. SERVIR-Mekong is currently working with partners to leverage the power of TRMM and GPM data in two flagship decision support products. The Virtual Rain and Stream Gauge Data Service provides TRMM and GPM data to users in the form of customized grid datasets representing the periods and areas required by users or as links to near-real-time data feeds that can be embedded in applications designed to better inform water resource management, enable improved flood forecasting, and facilitate more accurate landslide risk assessments. The Regional Drought Information System, a collaboration of SERVIR-Mekong, a team at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Mekong River Commission’s Drought Management Team, and other partners uses GPM data as a key input to several indices of drought. The value of such information was underscored by the severe drought conditions experienced by much of the region during the first half of 2016.   Link for additional information: NASA: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/GPM/overview/index.html  



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RADAR Altimetry

29 August 29 2016 04 Author(s): SERVIR-Mekong
Source: NASA Shedding new light on land subsidence and sea level rise and facilitating flood early warning Satellite-borne RADAR altimeters emit pulses of electromagnetic energy and analyzes the time it takes a pulse to bounce off of a target and return to the device. Given that all electromagnetic energy travels at the same speed (“the speed of light” or about 3.0 * 108 meters per second), an accurate measure of the signal return time combined with information about a central reference (such as the Earth’s center) provides an estimate of the height or elevation of a surface. A key advantage of RADAR telemetry (compared to, for example, Laser-based approaches) is that RADAR easily travels through clouds--making measurements more dependable in the many cloud-prone regions in the Lower Mekong Region.   Source: NASAThe NASA-French space agency Ocean Surface Topography Mission/Jason-2 satellite launched aboard a Delta II rocket from Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., at 12:46 a.m. PDT. Photo Credit: Carleton Bailie/United Launch Alliance  There area a number of satellite-borne altimetry devices in orbit including the Altika device carried by the SARAL satellite of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Space Agency of France (CNES) and the Poseidon-3 radar altimeter aboard the multi-national Jason-2 satellite mission of NASA and CNES. Both of these satellites follow low earth orbits tracing the same path over the surface of the earth as the earth rotates below them (with a return period of approximately 2 hours). Information from these missions provides data for a diverse range of applications from sea level rise to land subsidence to stream height data that can be used in flood early warning applications. SERVIR-Mekong and RADAR Altimetry All Lower Mekong Region countries would like to expand their network of stream height gauges that provide critical information for managing water resources, forecasting floods, or signaling when flows in rivers drop below thresholds needed to sustain the communities and ecological processes of a given river system. However, current networks of field stream gauges are sparse and for the most part, insufficiently maintained. As part of a Virtual Rain and Stream Gauge Information Service, SERVIR-Mekong will leverage RADAR altimetry measurements from the Jason-2 satellite to provide estimates of stream height at selected locations. Since experience has shown that stream crossings of less than 1000 meters yield poor water height estimates, the set of locations are all of the crossings that measure more than 1000 meters in width. The approximately 80 locations for which stream height data will be estimated will provide near real-time information (every 2 hours) on river heights that can serve as inputs into flood and water resource management applications. With an increased pool of accurate and consistent data on river levels in the region, government agencies and other partners in the Lower Mekong Region will be in better position to plan and manage water-related risks and resources. Links for additional information: RADAR Altimetry: http://www.altimetry.info/  Altika: https://cnes.fr/en Jason-2: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/ostm/main/index.html#.V05zFfl97IU
Source: NASA Shedding new light on land subsidence and sea level rise and facilitating flood early warning Satellite-borne RADAR altimeters emit pulses of electromagnetic energy and analyzes the time it takes a pulse to bounce off of a target and return to the device. Given that all electromagnetic energy travels at the same speed (“the speed of light” or about 3.0 * 108 meters per second), an accurate measure of the signal return time combined with information about a central reference (such as the Earth’s center) provides an estimate of the height or elevation of a surface. A key advantage of RADAR telemetry (compared to, for example, Laser-based approaches) is that RADAR easily travels through clouds--making measurements more dependable in the many cloud-prone regions in the Lower Mekong Region.   Source: NASAThe NASA-French space agency Ocean Surface Topography Mission/Jason-2 satellite launched aboard a Delta II rocket from Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., at 12:46 a.m. PDT. Photo Credit: Carleton Bailie/United Launch Alliance  There area a number of satellite-borne altimetry devices in orbit including the Altika device carried by the SARAL satellite of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Space Agency of France (CNES) and the Poseidon-3 radar altimeter aboard the multi-national Jason-2 satellite mission of NASA and CNES. Both of these satellites follow low earth orbits tracing the same path over the surface of the earth as the earth rotates below them (with a return period of approximately 2 hours). Information from these missions provides data for a diverse range of applications from sea level rise to land subsidence to stream height data that can be used in flood early warning applications. SERVIR-Mekong and RADAR Altimetry All Lower Mekong Region countries would like to expand their network of stream height gauges that provide critical information for managing water resources, forecasting floods, or signaling when flows in rivers drop below thresholds needed to sustain the communities and ecological processes of a given river system. However, current networks of field stream gauges are sparse and for the most part, insufficiently maintained. As part of a Virtual Rain and Stream Gauge Information Service, SERVIR-Mekong will leverage RADAR altimetry measurements from the Jason-2 satellite to provide estimates of stream height at selected locations. Since experience has shown that stream crossings of less than 1000 meters yield poor water height estimates, the set of locations are all of the crossings that measure more than 1000 meters in width. The approximately 80 locations for which stream height data will be estimated will provide near real-time information (every 2 hours) on river heights that can serve as inputs into flood and water resource management applications. With an increased pool of accurate and consistent data on river levels in the region, government agencies and other partners in the Lower Mekong Region will be in better position to plan and manage water-related risks and resources. Links for additional information: RADAR Altimetry: http://www.altimetry.info/  Altika: https://cnes.fr/en Jason-2: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/ostm/main/index.html#.V05zFfl97IU



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Landsat Missions

29 August 29 2016 04 Author(s): Author(s): SERVIR-Mekong
Producing a long-term record of our changing planet ​​​​​​Climate change, land conversion, and urbanization all have powerful impacts on the well-being of people and the planet. However, these patterns are not always perceptible at ground level or over short periods. Long-running earth observation programs such as Landsat provide critical perspective to support analyses and planning to assist climate change adaptation and overall development efforts. The Landsat Program, jointly managed by NASA and the United States Geological Survey (USGS), is the world’s longest running earth observation system, providing comparable data since the first Landsat satellite and sensors were launched in 1972. The value of Landsat project is reflected in the multiple times the US government has authorized and funded the deployment of overlapping missions including the currently active Landsat 7 and Landsat 8 missions.  The Landsat 9 satellite platform is currently under development and scheduled for launch in 2023. In 2008, the USGS announced plans to make all Landsat data freely available for public use. As a result, downloads of Landsat data increased from less than a million total in 2008 to more than 42 million by June of 2016.  Each pixel of a Landsat image represents 30 x 30 meters on the ground--a spatial resolution suited to characterizing land cover distribution and change over large areas. The Landsat instruments all measure visible and infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum in energy from the sun that has been reflected by the earth’s atmosphere and surface. By combining measurements from multiple “bands” or portions of the spectrum, analysts can optimize recognition of phenomena such as bare ground, water, and green vegetation. This flexibility means that Landsat data is frequently applied in fields as diverse as climate change monitoring, agricultural forecasting, land cover change detection, and urban planning. SERVIR-Mekong and Landsat Recognizing the wide application value of the rich and growing Landsat data archive, SERVIR-Mekong has prioritized capacity building and application development efforts to ensure that regional stakeholders can access and use Landsat data to improve decision-making. Together with the US Department of the Interior – International Technical Assistance Program, SERVIR-Mekong conducted an interactive “Landsat Expert Training Course” in 2015. Subsequent events, such as a regional Mangrove Mapping and Monitoring Workshop co-hosted with the Silvacarbon project, have provided decision-makers with decision support tools that leverage Landsat data for improved management of ecosystems and climate change adaptation planning. SERVIR-Mekong is working with partners to develop decision support systems that use the power of cloud computing provided by Google Earth Engine to gain insight from the extensive Landsat archive in ways that were simply not possible as recently as 10 years ago. The first of these, a Surface Water Mapping Tool, uses automated surface water detection rules to uncover patterns of flooding and seasonal water distribution over months or years. In another effort, perhaps its most ambitious to date, SERVIR-Mekong is working with institutions throughout the Lower Mekong Region to design and implement a Regional Land Cover Monitoring System that will deliver high-quality, consistent regional land cover products on at least an annual basis. Source: http://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Landsat.v.Sentinel-2.png Links for additional information: NASA: http://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/ 
Producing a long-term record of our changing planet ​​​​​​Climate change, land conversion, and urbanization all have powerful impacts on the well-being of people and the planet. However, these patterns are not always perceptible at ground level or over short periods. Long-running earth observation programs such as Landsat provide critical perspective to support analyses and planning to assist climate change adaptation and overall development efforts. The Landsat Program, jointly managed by NASA and the United States Geological Survey (USGS), is the world’s longest running earth observation system, providing comparable data since the first Landsat satellite and sensors were launched in 1972. The value of Landsat project is reflected in the multiple times the US government has authorized and funded the deployment of overlapping missions including the currently active Landsat 7 and Landsat 8 missions.  The Landsat 9 satellite platform is currently under development and scheduled for launch in 2023. In 2008, the USGS announced plans to make all Landsat data freely available for public use. As a result, downloads of Landsat data increased from less than a million total in 2008 to more than 42 million by June of 2016.  Each pixel of a Landsat image represents 30 x 30 meters on the ground--a spatial resolution suited to characterizing land cover distribution and change over large areas. The Landsat instruments all measure visible and infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum in energy from the sun that has been reflected by the earth’s atmosphere and surface. By combining measurements from multiple “bands” or portions of the spectrum, analysts can optimize recognition of phenomena such as bare ground, water, and green vegetation. This flexibility means that Landsat data is frequently applied in fields as diverse as climate change monitoring, agricultural forecasting, land cover change detection, and urban planning. SERVIR-Mekong and Landsat Recognizing the wide application value of the rich and growing Landsat data archive, SERVIR-Mekong has prioritized capacity building and application development efforts to ensure that regional stakeholders can access and use Landsat data to improve decision-making. Together with the US Department of the Interior – International Technical Assistance Program, SERVIR-Mekong conducted an interactive “Landsat Expert Training Course” in 2015. Subsequent events, such as a regional Mangrove Mapping and Monitoring Workshop co-hosted with the Silvacarbon project, have provided decision-makers with decision support tools that leverage Landsat data for improved management of ecosystems and climate change adaptation planning. SERVIR-Mekong is working with partners to develop decision support systems that use the power of cloud computing provided by Google Earth Engine to gain insight from the extensive Landsat archive in ways that were simply not possible as recently as 10 years ago. The first of these, a Surface Water Mapping Tool, uses automated surface water detection rules to uncover patterns of flooding and seasonal water distribution over months or years. In another effort, perhaps its most ambitious to date, SERVIR-Mekong is working with institutions throughout the Lower Mekong Region to design and implement a Regional Land Cover Monitoring System that will deliver high-quality, consistent regional land cover products on at least an annual basis. Source: http://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Landsat.v.Sentinel-2.png Links for additional information: NASA: http://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/ 



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Gender and GIS Guidance: Infographic

08 August 08 2016 04 Author(s): -



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Regional Drought Information Service

06 June 06 2016 04 Author(s): SERVIR-Mekong



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SERVIR-Mekong Products and Services Summary

28 April 28 2016 04 Author(s): SERVIR-Mekong
SERVIR-Mekong is a USAID-NASA partnership program designed to improve environmental management and resilience to climate change in the Lower Mekong Region through the increased application of geospatial data and technologies to policy formulation, planning, and other decision making processes. SERVIR-Mekong is one of four SERVIR hubs in operation across the developing world. Each hub strengthens a locally-based and regionally-focused institution to serve as a sustainable regional service provider of data, analytics, training and best practices for improved decision-making. SERVIR-Mekong is implemented by the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), a regional non-governmental organization working closely with governments in Asia to build resilience against natural hazards. The initial five year phase of SERVIR-Mekong is supported by consortium partners Spatial Informatics Group (SIG), Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), and Deltares. SERVIR products and services include the following: Decision support tools (such as online mapping portals) Custom data products. Information services (such as automatically updated precipitation data) Knowledge products. Capacity building (such as training events, knowledge exchanges, and technical work in co-developing products).
SERVIR-Mekong is a USAID-NASA partnership program designed to improve environmental management and resilience to climate change in the Lower Mekong Region through the increased application of geospatial data and technologies to policy formulation, planning, and other decision making processes. SERVIR-Mekong is one of four SERVIR hubs in operation across the developing world. Each hub strengthens a locally-based and regionally-focused institution to serve as a sustainable regional service provider of data, analytics, training and best practices for improved decision-making. SERVIR-Mekong is implemented by the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), a regional non-governmental organization working closely with governments in Asia to build resilience against natural hazards. The initial five year phase of SERVIR-Mekong is supported by consortium partners Spatial Informatics Group (SIG), Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), and Deltares. SERVIR products and services include the following: Decision support tools (such as online mapping portals) Custom data products. Information services (such as automatically updated precipitation data) Knowledge products. Capacity building (such as training events, knowledge exchanges, and technical work in co-developing products).



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A Needs Assessment of Geospatial Data and Technologies in the Lower Mekong Region

20 March 20 2016 04 Author(s): SERVIR-Mekong
Rapid economic and population growth in the Lower Mekong Region (LMR) – comprising Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam – continue to drive changes in the region’s water regimes as well as the loss and degradation of natural vegetation and soils. These changes, in turn, are having impacts, often negatively, on ecosystem services, food and water security, and biodiversity. All of these impacts are exacerbated by climate change, further highlighting the need for improved governance and decision making in virtually all sectors. Geospatial data and technology can contribute significantly to more timely and informed decision making. For example, satellite radar-estimated rainfall can extend the early warning period for serious floods. However, in order to be useful in a given planning, policy or other decision making context, information must reach the right people and institutions at the right time and in the right form. SERVIR-Mekong, the latest addition to a USAID and NASA-initiated global network of hubs supporting the application of geospatial data and technologies for decision making, carried out a needs assessment in late 2014 and early 2015 to inform the program’s strategic focus as well as provide a resource for other stakeholders seeking to improve the effective application of geospatial data and technologies in the LMR. This report is the result of that assessment.
Rapid economic and population growth in the Lower Mekong Region (LMR) – comprising Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam – continue to drive changes in the region’s water regimes as well as the loss and degradation of natural vegetation and soils. These changes, in turn, are having impacts, often negatively, on ecosystem services, food and water security, and biodiversity. All of these impacts are exacerbated by climate change, further highlighting the need for improved governance and decision making in virtually all sectors. Geospatial data and technology can contribute significantly to more timely and informed decision making. For example, satellite radar-estimated rainfall can extend the early warning period for serious floods. However, in order to be useful in a given planning, policy or other decision making context, information must reach the right people and institutions at the right time and in the right form. SERVIR-Mekong, the latest addition to a USAID and NASA-initiated global network of hubs supporting the application of geospatial data and technologies for decision making, carried out a needs assessment in late 2014 and early 2015 to inform the program’s strategic focus as well as provide a resource for other stakeholders seeking to improve the effective application of geospatial data and technologies in the LMR. This report is the result of that assessment.



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Commodity-Driven Forest Loss: A Study of Southeast Asia

05 February 05 2021 04 Author(s): U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service (USFS), Spatial Informatics Group (SIG), World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), and SERVIR-Mekong