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broad-ranging application of AVHRR data for mapping 
and monitoring environmental change. Using satellite 
data, in combination with archived oceanographic and 
meteorological surface observations, analysts can 
actually monitor environmental changes in renewable 
and non-renewable natural resources. 
The AVHRR satellite data are now used operationally 
by the USDA and NOAA to monitor crop growth in 
primary grain regions worldwide, by FAO to monitor 
desert-locust breeding habitats, by the government of 
Senegal to monitor t^e availability of vegetation for 
grazing animals, and by the U.S. Bureau of Land 
Management to monitor the condition of foliage in 
fire-prone districts. Since 1982, NESDIS has 
produced weekly composite vegetation index images of 
Northern and Southern hemispheres. AVHRR data 
continues to be helpful in monitoring possible 
climatic changes as well as regional phenomenon such 
as droughts, desert creep and deforestation. Such 
satellite products are just one of many future 
applications of AVHRR data to large-scale 
environmental and climatic concerns facing today's 
policymakers. 
Bussell Ambroziak, "Global Crop Monitoring: An 
Integrate Approach. SPIE Conference, May 3, 1984, 
Crystal City, Virginia.