8 November, 2024: Soil moisture is a vital element in the Earth’s hydrological cycle, impacting climate patterns, agricultural productivity, and natural hazards like floods and droughts. Traditional soil moisture measurement methods, such as in-situ sensors, are limited in spatial coverage, making them inadequate for regional or global-scale monitoring. Satellite-based remote sensing offers a solution, providing continuous and frequent soil moisture measurements across large areas.
In Southeast Asia, where agriculture is central to the economy and the region faces climate variability and frequent disasters, accurate soil moisture information is essential. However, fully utilizing satellite-based soil moisture data in the region is challenging due to limited awareness among stakeholders, a lack of ground observation networks for data calibration, and the need for tailored methodologies suited to the diverse land cover types and regional characteristics. Addressing these challenges requires collaboration among experts from various fields to explore ways to enhance the use of soil moisture data for societal benefits.
In response, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), in collaboration with NASA, the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), the Hydro Informatics Institute (HII), and Kasetsart University, organized a Hybrid Workshop on Satellite-Based Soil Moisture on November 7, 2024, at AIT.
The workshop titled “Advancing Agriculture, Climate, Environmental, and Disaster Monitoring Through Satellite-Based Soil Moisture Retrieval and Applications in Southeast Asia” aimed to raise awareness among stakeholders in Southeast Asia about the importance of satellite-based soil moisture data. It focused on its various applications and emphasized the necessity for calibration and validation efforts to enhance data accuracy.
The workshop featured several presentations on key themes and included a panel discussion where experts shared insights on promoting satellite-based soil moisture data across Southeast Asia. AIT President, Prof. Pai-Chi Li, inaugurated the workshop with remarks emphasizing the event’s importance and interdisciplinary nature. He stated, “This timely event, spanning multiple disciplines, embodies a holistic approach to addressing pressing global and regional challenges. Today’s platform serves not only for sharing but also for fostering meaningful discussions and strategic insights that drive progress. I hope this gathering inspires collaboration and opens new avenues for future initiatives.”
Keynote speeches were delivered by Dr. Simon Yueh from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Dr. Michael H. Cosh from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dr. Yueh highlighted the significance of remote sensing technologies in soil moisture acquisition, with applications in agriculture, climate, and disaster monitoring. Dr. Cosh emphasized the need for developing validation guidance for satellite soil moisture products and designing networks that meet the region’s stakeholder needs.
Led by Dr. Natthachet Tangdamrongsub, Assistant Professor in Water Engineering and Management at AIT, the workshop aimed to foster collaboration among experts in soil moisture, remote sensing, GIS, climate science, agriculture, and data science. Attendees from international and national agencies, as well as academia, participated both in-person and online.
During the panel discussion, experts reviewed the current state, challenges, and future directions for satellite-based soil moisture data in Southeast Asia. Key recommendations included enhancing regional collaboration and developing pilot studies to demonstrate the benefits of satellite-based soil moisture data for climate resilience, agriculture, and disaster preparedness.
The workshop underscored the role of satellite-based soil moisture data in achieving international targets, such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Notably, satellite-based soil moisture data supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). The event concluded with a call for increased awareness, collaboration, and the establishment of a community of practice to advance soil moisture monitoring efforts across Southeast Asia.
