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 properties of 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 backscatter) reflected or emitted from the Earth.

Open access — Datasets that are freely downloadable. Open access does not automatically imply unrestricted use; licence terms vary.

Spatialising 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.

Derived indicator — A quantity calculated from raw satellite measurements through a processing chain (e.g. ETa derived from reflectance and temperature data). Distinct from a direct field measurement.

Modelled dataset — Data produced by a numerical model (e.g. a climate model, a hydrological model), which may be calibrated against observations. Distinct from satellite-observed data.

Spatial analysis operations¶

Overlay — Combining two or more map layers to examine where and how they intersect (e.g. project sites overlaid on a flood-risk layer).

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

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

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

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

Bio-physical EO indicators¶

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

Topography analysis — Analysing the shape of the land surface, including elevation and slope, typically using a Digital Elevation Model (DEM).

DEM (Digital Elevation Model) — A gridded representation of terrain elevation.

Crop and irrigation analysis — Using EO to assess cropland extent, crop condition, and irrigated area.

NDVI (Normalised Difference Vegetation Index) — A widely used index of vegetation greenness and health, derived from satellite reflectance measurements in the red and near-infrared bands.

ETa (Actual Evapotranspiration) — The quantity of water transferred from land to the atmosphere through evaporation from the soil surface and transpiration from vegetation, expressed per unit area and time. A satellite-derived indicator of water use.

AETI (Annual Evapotranspiration & Interception) — Total annual water use combining evapotranspiration and interception of rainfall by vegetation canopies.

RZSM (Relative Root Zone Soil Moisture) — Soil moisture content in the plant-accessible root zone, expressed as a fraction of saturation. A satellite- derived indicator relevant to agricultural water management.

NBWP (Net Biomass Water Productivity) — Dry above-ground biomass produced per unit of water consumed. Used as a proxy for crop water productivity.

LULC (Land Use / Land Cover) — Classification of the Earth's surface into categories (e.g. cropland, forest, built-up, water) derived from satellite imagery.

Drought index — A measure combining rainfall and other variables to characterise drought severity. Multiple indices exist; the appropriate choice depends on application and data availability.

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

Land-use change — Change over time in how land is used or what it is covered by (e.g. cropland converting to built-up area), detectable from satellite imagery time series.

Nighttime-light intensity — A satellite observation of artificially emitted light at night. Used as an indirect proxy for electrification, urban extent, and economic activity at broad scales. Subject to sensor-specific calibration differences, blooming effects, and seasonal variation.

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; the primary tool for this training, providing automated EO analysis reports.

Google Earth — A free web and desktop tool for viewing satellite imagery of the Earth, used for area visualisation and boundary drawing 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 post-completion evaluation. EO can contribute evidence at each stage.

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

PPRR (Project Preparation & Review Report) — Appraisal and benchmarking document.

PAD / RRM (Project Appraisal Document / Report & Recommendation for Management) — Design-stage documentation setting out project rationale, results framework, and resource requirements.

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 & programme 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 systems and practices designed to maintain productivity under climate stresses such as drought, variable rainfall, and heat.

GEMS (Geo-Enabling Initiative for Monitoring and Supervision) — A World Bank programme supporting field-appropriate digital data collection, monitoring, supervision, and risk management, with particular application in fragile and conflict-affected settings. Distinct from any system with a similar acronym.

ESA GDA (Global Development Assistance programme) — An ESA programme that supports the mainstreaming of Earth Observation into development finance operations, including thematic tools, knowledge products, and capacity building for international financial institutions.

WaPOR (Water Productivity Open-access Portal) — FAO's platform providing satellite-derived water use and productivity data for Africa and the Near East at three spatial levels.

Indicator — A measurable quantity used to describe or track a condition (e.g. a bio-physical indicator such as ETa or NDVI, or a programme indicator such as irrigated area in hectares).

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