WG VII/1 Terms of Reference 
- Study of spectral, spatial and temporal signatures of var- 
ious earth surface features (land and ocean) with special 
reference to hyper spectral and microwave aspects 
- Studies to understand view angle effects on spectral sig- 
natures 
- System studies to define a set of sensors / constellation 
of satellites for theme applications and radiometric and 
geometric calibration requirements; in conjunction with 
WG1/2 
- Investigations in the area of retrieval of geophysical 
parameters 
- Co-operation with WG Il/5 on advance information 
extraction techniques : classifiers, data fusion techniques 
- Co-operation with institutions maintaining data bases on 
spectral signatures, CEOS CalVal WG and EARSeL SIG 
on Imaging Spectrometry 
WG VII/2 Sustainable Agriculture & Eco-system 
Approach 
Chair: Andrew K. Skidmore (The Netherlands) 
Co-chair: Lei F. Tian (USA) 
WG VII/2 Terms of Reference 
- Improve crop monitoring and yield modelling method- 
ology with synergistic use of space, agrometeorology 
and in-situ observations in GIS environment 
- Investigate the interaction of agriculture with ecosys- 
tems, especially management that reduces agricultural 
impacts on the environment 
-  Geo-information and management requirements for 
the ecosystem approach 
- Ensure optimal use of agriculture inputs for precision 
farming employing high spatial and spectral resolution 
and other data 
- Improve models for assessment, efficient utilisation and 
conservation of water resources for agriculture using 
optical, thermal and microwave data with other data 
- Integrated studies for cropping systems in various 
regional set-ups for attaining sustainable agriculture 
WG VII/3 Integrated Monitoring Systems for Resource 
Management 
Chair: Sandra Maria Fonseca da Costa (Brazil) 
Co-chair: Li Yingcheng (China) 
WG VII/3 Terms of Reference 
- Modelling and management of natural resources using 
integration of RS, in-situ measurements and other data 
in GIS environment 
- Use of spatial information systems for generating alter- 
nate scenarios to facilitate monitoring and optimal 
management: forestry, geology, hydrology, coastal 
zones, snow and ice 
- Contribute to the establishment of reliable indicators of 
sustainability 
- Co-operation with international environmental pro- 
grammes such as IGBP and ICORSE for development 
of process-based models to sustainability 
WG VII/A Human Settlement and Impact Analysis 
Chair: Gabor Remetey-Fülópp (Hungary) 
Co-chair: Carsten Juergens (Germany) 
228 
  
  
WG VII/4 Terms of Reference 
- Data analysis for urban land use studies and for 
improved urban planning using aerial and high spatial 
resolution space borne data 
- Remote observations for monitoring urban environ- 
ment and change detection 
- Use of Remote Sensing & GIS for infrastructure devel- 
opment for rural settlements 
- Study impact of urbanisation, industrial growth, mega 
engineering structures on ecological and social environ- 
ment, urban sustainability; tracking of disease vectors 
- Documentation, conservation and management of nat- 
ural heritage and cultural landscapes in co-operation 
with UNESCO / ICOMOS / CIPA 
- Interface with IHDP 
WG VII/5 Disaster Monitoring, Mitigation and Damage 
Assessment 
Chair: H. Singhroy (Canada) 
Co-chair: Michael Abrams (USA) 
WG VII/5 Terms of Reference 
- Identification of potential risk zones for different type of 
disasters such as forest fire, cyclone, floods, volca- 
noes, earthquake, land slides etc.; 
- Integrated observation and communication strategies 
for disaster detection, monitoring and damage assess- 
ment in co-operation with CEOS and IGOS; 
- Enhance predictive modelling capabilities; 
- Development of disaster management plans for pre, 
during and post disaster situations; 
- Foster the creation of more effective information sys- 
tems to support disaster management activities 
WG VII/6 Monitoring and Modelling Global Change 
Chair: Yoshifumi Yasuoka (Japan) 
Co-chair: Mark Imhoff (USA) 
WG VII/6 Terms of Reference 
- Use of long term regional and global data bases using 
historical and satellite data over terrestrial eco-systems, 
snow and glaciers, atmosphere, oceans to monitor and 
model global change in co-operation with WG IV/8 
- Evolve standards for data exchange and quality evalu- 
ation of satellite derived bio-geophysical parameters 
- Develop strategies and algorithms for assimilating 
remotely sensed data in global change models 
- Co-operation with international programmes, e.g. 
International Global Change Atmospheric Chemistry 
(IGAC), to support implementation of international poli- 
cies and treaties 
Plans of Commission VII 
Two international workshops on Physical Measurement 
and Signatures in Remote Sensing (January 8-12, 2001, 
Aussois, France) and on Spectral Sensing Research (June 
10-15, 2001, Quebec, Canada) are planned. 
A close interaction with the CEOS Cal/Val group and TC | 
is planned. 
International Archives of Photogrammerty and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXIII, Part A. Amsterdam 2000.