Use of near real time earth observation data infrastructures and open source tools for water resources monitoring and assessment

Since several years, a rapid and ever increasing public use of geo-information data derived from earth observation satellites is noted. The use of Google and Microsoft Virtual Earth engines can be seen as generic examples of this trend. For hydrology, water resources research and professional practice, we also note a growing availability of earth observation (EO) data and products, needed for operational land and water management. Many of these data are public domain and made freely available using low-cost global data dissemination infrastructures like GEONETCast, managed by the spaces agencies EUMETSAT and NOAA amongst others, within the context of the GEOSS framework. Also web-based data provision and servicing is increasing. Today, a multitude of software packages can be legally downloaded and used with little restrictions, including source code access. The near real time and open access aspect of many satellite datasets make their use and application for land and water resources motivating. This short paper shows the use of near real time satellite and in-situ data, coupled to an open source geospatial analysis system. The versatility of the open toolbox concept is shown using a number of project-based applications for water resources, food security and weather. The public domain nature of both the EO data and geospatial software permit the water and climate community to develop applications of choice at user-defined spatial scale, ranging from regional and country level to river basin and small catchment or field-scale.