Illegal or Unsustainable Resource Exploitation
Use Case Description
Illicit or unsustainable exploitation of natural resources often takes place in politically unstable or remote areas where on-the-ground monitoring is restricted or insecure. Such activities include illegal logging, mining, uncontrolled overfishing, illegal agriculture and expansion, and water resource exploitation.
Satellite Earth Observation (EO) is a dependable, effective, and scalable approach to creating meaningful evidence that can serve effective decision-making. The wide range of spatial, spectral and temporal characteristics of satellites can be used to better understand both short-term and long-term environmental changes. EO-based information is particularly valuable for uncovering patterns and warning signals of unsustainable practices.
Satellites have largely shown outstanding performance in identifying illicit mining operations, tracking uncontrolled urban or agricultural development that harms and extracts vital natural resources, and identifying rapid deforestation activities. Aside from identifying land cover transformations, satellites are also able to record indirect signals, including pollution plumes, excessive sedimentation in water bodies, night-time illumination, vessel movement, and heat anomalies. These signals may be pointers to illegal activities like illegal fishing, mining, and deforestation.
As there are different types of satellite sensors, data can be produced day and night to enable analysts to assess the causes, scale, and effect of resource exploitation and thus prioritize enforcement and prevention measures. In all, EO is revolutionising natural resource management in promoting more effective, equitable, and sustainable practices.
