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Abstract

During the past three decades environmental monitoring systems covering an immense variety of environmental problems emerged rapidly throughout the world. In The Netherlands the entire spectrum of monitoring systems is present. Their development is especially interesting because of the Dutch complex environmental landscape: a result of the combination of a natural setting with a high small-scale variation and an intense use of the available space by both industry and agriculture. This necessitates a well balanced environmental policy wherein monitoring of both environmental compartments and environmental policy itself plays an important role. In this article we focus on abiotic systems, whereby the development of monitoring will be related to that of environmental policy in general. Some general lines emerge: from quantity towards quality, from single pollutants towards environmentally harmful processes as a whole, and from a focus on human health and safety towards integrated environmental management. Because The Netherlands is a highly organized and highly educated society, reacting fast and flexible to new problems, this progression has happened quickly. However, still much remains to be desired and flexibility not necessarily guarantees optimal routes of development. Paramount is the development of sophisticated and robust monitoring systems that truly support integrated environmental management. This asks for clear objectives based on solid scientific insights.

Near real-time event detection for watershed monitoring with CANARY

“…Environmental monitoring efforts face numerous challenges associated with equipment cost, availability of power, security of equipment or likelihood of intentional or unintentional damage, and communication. 10,11 Assuming that all these challenges can be overcome, the analysis of data from remote equipment can still be a hurdle to effectively implement remote monitoring. The availability of cheaper hardware and improvements in remote power options (e.g., solar with battery backup) makes environmental monitoring efforts more accessible; however, more sensors means more data to analyze and process, which could be an issue.…”

Development of a Dynamic Web Mapping Service for Vegetation Productivity Using Earth Observation and in situ Sensors in a Sensor Web Based Approach

“…They allow vast amounts of relevant information to be collected with a high temporal frequency for a network of point locations that are remote, inaccessible, or lack the necessary resources to acquire such information in a different manner [1]. For example, ground water levels in the Netherlands are monitored through a network of 4,000 semi-automated groundwater wells [2]. Recent developments in the miniaturization of electronics and wireless communication technology will enhance the opportunities of sensor networks for real-time monitoring of the natural environment [3].…”