SERVIR: A Regional Monitoring and Decision Support System for Mesoamerica

Mesoamerica is a prime example of a multi-national region with natural and human induced stresses that benefits from information provided by observation systems. The region is severely threatened by extensive deforestation, illegal logging, water pollution, and uncontrolled slash and burn agriculture. Additionally, Mesoamerica's distinct geology and geography result in disproportionate vulnerability of its population to natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, drought, and volcanic eruptions. NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, the University of Alabama in Huntsville and numerous SERVIR* partners are developing data products, knowledge extraction methods and decision support tools for environmental monitoring, disaster response and sustainable growth planning in Mesoamerica. The combination of space- based observations from NASA's Earth Observing Satellites with information management and knowledge extraction technologies has yielded a robust system for use by scientists, educators, environmental ministers and policy makers. These resources enhance the ability to monitor and forecast ecological changes, respond to natural disasters and better understand both natural and human induced effects. Now in its fourth year SERVIR has become a partner in the International Space and Major Disasters Charter. In the past year the Charter provided commercial satellite imagery to aid in disaster response to Hurricanes Dean, Felix and Noel. Overcoming roadblocks to coordination and data sharing between countries, organizations and disciplines SERVIR is providing environmental monitoring and decision support products and applications that directly map to several Observation GEOSS societal benefit areas. This paper provides an overview of the ongoing accomplishments of the SERVIR project. *SERVIR is a Spanish verb meaning "to serve" or "be useful" is also an acronym for the Spanish name of the capability: Sistema Regional de Visualizacion y Monitero.