By invitation of the German Remote Sensing Data Center (DFD), the Mexican national commission for biodiversity research (CONABIO) and other Mexican partner organisations, about 120 scientists and governmental experts met from April 22nd to 23rd to discuss the use potential of the DLR earth observation satellite acquisition station in Mexico. In cooperation with Mexican partners, this station is located since mid of 2007 in Chetumal, Yucatan peninsula. It was inaugurated by the Mexican President Felipe Calderon in October last year.
The workshop in Mexico City was opened by José Sarukhan, director CONABIO. The presentations of DLR and of Mexican experts demonstrated applications for the environment and security, which can be performed using existing and future satellite systems. Applications using German earth observation systems – such as TerraSAR-X – have been specifically highlighted.
Following the workshop, the participants had the opportunity to work themselves with the data using image analysis and geographic information systems. Accompanied by experts of DLR, some Mexican participants also visited the antenna system in Chetumal.
The workshop demonstrated the potential of the cooperation between DLR and Mexican organisations and was a forum for the definition of further collaborative projects.
The presentation of the workshop can be downloaded.
