Imaging spectroscopy of changing Earth's surface: a major step toward the quantitative monitoring of land degradation and desertification

Imaging spectroscopy makes direct identification of surface materials possible in a spatial context based on diagnostic visible and near-infrared properties. Advanced methodologies permit the deconvolution of complex surface signatures. It opens a number of possibilities for characterizing and monitoring mineralogical and/or biogeochemical surface properties and changes, particularly in the field of land desertification, where understanding of processes involve the quantitative description of the interplay between soils and vegetation components.