In severe cases, drought can last for many years, and can have devastating effects on agriculture and water supplies. Nearly every aspect of our lives is tied into the vegetation and ground cover that surround us. For years scientists across the world have been mapping changes in the landscape to prevent disasters such as floods and drought. By using imaging satellites, scientists have the ability to observe large tracts of the Earth's surface in a fraction of the time needed to complete aerial or ground surveys. Coccolithophores are one-celled plants that live in large numbers throughout the upper layers of the ocean.
Phytoplankton are microscopic plants that are the foundation of the marine food chain.
Because they also exert a global-scale influence on climate, phytoplankton are of primary interest to oceanographers and Earth scientists around the world. Sunspots and the Solar Max A sunspot is a region on the surface of the sun that is temporarily cool and dark compared to surrounding regions. The year 2000 marks another solar maximum. Why Isn't Earth Hot as an Oven Sunlight is the source of energy for the Earth's oceans, atmosphere, land, and biosphere. This article provides an introduction to the history of viewing our planet from space and how we are better able to understand our environment as a result.