1.       Introduction  Available remote sensing spatially explicit data products provided by the different Earth Observation (EO) programs such as Copernicus or GEO-GEOSS are definitely contributing to enhance and complement the long-term in situ datasets for the monitoring of ecosystem processes and trends subjected to global change. However, most of these products, generated at global or

1.       Introduction Thermal infrared (TIR) remote sensing has emerged as a powerful tool for generating time series of land surface temperature (LST) data at both global and local scales. TIR sensors measure the radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface in the 8–12μm range, which is directly related to the surface temperature. This capability is valuable

1.       Introduction Anthropogenic disturbances driven by population growth and technological advancements have profoundly altered natural ecosystems, leading to persistent modifications in their structural and functional attributes (Birch, 2014). Over the past few decades, increasing recognition of these transformations has fostered efforts to protect, manage, and restore ecosystems. Within the framework of integrated ecosystem management, the

1.       Introduction Water is essential for agricultural management as it plays a crucial role in promoting plant growth, fruit quality, and crop yield (Fischer, 1981, Hsiao et al., 1976). Efficient irrigation strategies are vital for maximizing water productivity, minimizing yield losses, optimizing irrigation practices, and ensuring sustainable resource management. To achieve these goals, growers require

1.       Introduction  Natural events become disasters when they impact people, requiring a swift and coordinated response from multiple organizations. Accurate geospatial information is a keystone, and satellite remote sensing data constitutes one of the most relevant data sources to obtain timely and scalable information. Ideally, an early warning system should be already in place –

1.       Introduction  Black Carbon (BC) is one of the major pollutants linked to anthropogenic emissions that can contribute to accelerated melting of glaciers and snow due to changing of the surface albedo. It is primarily produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass and is considered the second-largest contributor to anthropogenic radiative forcing

1.       Introduction  The Pantanal, spanning approximately 140,000 square kilometers across Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay, is the largest continuous wetland on Earth and one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and Biosphere Reserve, it supports an extraordinary variety of flora and fauna, including several endangered species (Silva

1. Introduction In semi-arid climates, accumulated water in the form of snow at the mountains is an important asset, especially for agriculture, which in regions like the Mediterranean consumes on average a 69% of all water supply (Malek & Verburg, 2017; FAO, 2016). In fact, the Mediterranean is recognized by several studies as one of the