Glossary¶

Plain-language definitions of the terms and acronyms used across the training. Terms are grouped for ease of reference. Where a term is IsDB-specific, that is noted.

Earth Observation & geospatial concepts¶

Earth Observation (EO) — Gathering information about the Earth's surface using sensors, most commonly satellites, but also aircraft and drones.

Geoinformatics — The discipline of collecting, storing, analysing, and presenting geographic (location-based) information.

GIS (Geographic Information System) — Software and methods for mapping and analysing data tied to locations on the Earth.

Remote sensing — Measuring something about the Earth's surface without physical contact, typically from satellite or airborne sensors.

Satellite constellation — A group of satellites working together to image the Earth (e.g. the Sentinel or Landsat series).

Sensor — The instrument on a satellite that records energy (light, heat, radar) reflected or emitted from the Earth.

Open data — Datasets that are free to access and use. All data used in this training is open access.

Spatializing a project — Representing an IsDB project's sites, boundaries, and areas of influence as spatial (mapped) data so it can be analysed with EO/GIS.

Area of influence — The geographic zone a project affects or is affected by, beyond its immediate site boundary.

Spatial analysis operations¶

Overlay — Combining two or more map layers to see how they intersect (e.g. project sites over a flood-risk layer).

Buffering — Drawing a zone of a set distance around a feature (e.g. a 5 km band around a river).

Zonal statistics — Summarising values of one layer within the zones of another (e.g. average rainfall within each district).

Reclassification — Grouping the values of a layer into new, simpler categories (e.g. turning a slope map into "suitable / unsuitable").

Site suitability analysis — Combining factors such as slope, land use, soil, and proximity to identify the best locations for a project.

Bio-physical EO indicators¶

Surface water analysis — Mapping and monitoring water bodies and their change over time using EO.

Topography analysis — Analysing the shape of the land surface, including elevation and slope.

Crop and irrigation analysis — Using EO to assess cropland extent, crop health, and irrigated areas.

NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) — A widely used index of vegetation greenness and health derived from satellite imagery.

ETa (Actual Evapotranspiration) — The amount of water actually transferred from land to atmosphere via evaporation and plant transpiration; an indicator of water use.

Drought index — A measure combining rainfall and other variables to indicate drought severity.

Flood exposure — The degree to which a location is at risk of flooding.

Land-use change — Change over time in how land is used or covered (e.g. cropland to built-up), detectable from EO.

IsDB platforms & tools¶

GEIDA (Geoinformatics Data Platform) — IsDB's geospatial data platform, the subject of this certification programme.

eToolkit — IsDB's browser-based geospatial platform for supporting operations; participants' first hands-on tool, used before transitioning to the full GEIDA platform.

Google Earth — A free web/desktop tool for viewing satellite imagery of the Earth, used for basic visualisation in the training.

LMS (Learning Management System) — The online system hosting the GEIDA training recordings, exercises, assessments, and forms.

IsDB project cycle¶

Project cycle — The stages an IsDB project passes through from concept to evaluation. EO can add value at each stage.

PCN (Project Concept Note) — Early document outlining a proposed project.

PPRR (Project preparation & Review Report) — Appraisal & Benchmarking

PAD/RRM (Project Appraisal Document / Report & Reccomendation for Management) — Design-stage documentation appraising the project and setting out results and resources.

PIASR (Project Implementation Assessment & Support Report) — Supervision-stage report on implementation progress.

PCR (Project Completion Report) — Report produced at project completion.

PPER (Project Performance Evaluation Report) — Post-completion evaluation of project performance.

Development-finance & sector terms¶

Development finance — Financing provided to support economic and social development, the core of IsDB's mandate.

Operational portfolio — The set of projects an institution is currently financing and managing.

Climate-resilient agriculture — Farming approaches designed to withstand climate stresses such as drought and flooding; one of the training's focus sectors.

Indicator — A measurable quantity used to describe or track a condition (e.g. a bio-physical indicator like vegetation greenness).

Requirement mapping — Matching EO/GIS applications to the specific needs of a given use case or project.