How can environmental monitoring data help identify trends and patterns?

1 Why monitor the environment?

Monitoring the environment is essential for understanding the baseline conditions, the changes, and the outcomes of environmental interventions. By collecting and analyzing environmental data, you can assess the current and future state of the environment, identify the sources and drivers of environmental problems, evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of environmental solutions, and communicate the results and recommendations to stakeholders and decision-makers.

2 What types of environmental data are available?

Environmental data can be collected and analyzed for a variety of purposes, ranging from air quality data that measure the concentration of pollutants and greenhouse gases to water quality data that measure physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water bodies. Additionally, soil quality data can measure properties and functions of soil, land use and cover data can measure the distribution and change of land categories, biodiversity data can measure the variety and abundance of living organisms, and climate data can measure weather and climate parameters. Collectively, these types of environmental data provide a comprehensive view of the environment.

3 How to collect environmental data?

When collecting environmental data, there are various methods and tools to choose from, depending on the type, scale, frequency, and accuracy of the data needed. For instance, remote sensing utilizes satellites, aircrafts, drones, or other platforms to capture images or signals from a distance. In situ monitoring involves sensors, probes, meters, samplers, or other instruments to measure or collect environmental data from the field. Modeling estimates or predicts environmental data through mathematical equations, algorithms, or simulations based on existing data. Lastly, surveying gathers environmental data from people through questionnaires, interviews, observations, or other techniques that could include perceptions, attitudes, behaviors, or preferences.