Life Sciences in the Space Program 



A Landsat 4 Thematic Mapper image of the Mississippi Delta 

 reveals striking patterns in vegetation, human cultural activity, 

 and extensive plumes of sediment earned into the Gulf of 

 Mexico. 



Insufficient joint planning has contributed to the 

 perception of confusion and competition 

 between Biospherics Research and Terrestrial 

 Ecosystems. A program plan now exists for 

 Biospherics Research; it identifies biogeochemical 

 cycles as a primary research focus. Terrestrial 

 Ecosystems is developing a comparable plan that 

 actively supports research into biogeochemical 

 cycling, as well as other topics. It is logical to 

 expect that overlaps will occur between the most 

 biological portion of the Earth Science and 

 Applications Division and the most Earth- 

 oriented portion of the Life Sciences Division. 

 Without a joint plan to manage such overlaps, 

 the existing confusion and misperceptions will 

 work to the detriment of both programs. 

 Throughout the course of the Life Sciences Stra- 

 tegic Planning Study Committee (LSSPSC) 

 efforts, the two programs discussed a 

 Memorandum of Understanding to define their 

 relative roles and responsibilities. This 

 memorandum, which had not come to 

 resolution at the time this volume was 

 published, represents a positive step for both 

 the Biospherics Research and Terrestrial 

 Ecosystems Programs. 



Future Developments 



During the course of the LSSPSC effort, the Biospherics Research Program 

 initiated a plan for the Life Sciences Division's contribution to the study of global 

 biology. This plan, known as Project Terra, is intended to use the Earth Observing 

 System for research conducted within the International Geosphere-Biosphere 

 Programme and to conform to the research objectives outlined in Earth System 

 Science: A Closer Vine (4). Project Terra includes research on globally significant 

 ecosystems (such as forests and wetlands in the tropical and temperate latitudes) 

 processes (modeling and measurement of land-atmosphere interactions locally, 

 regionally, and globally), and human problems (the ecological epidemiology of 

 malaria). Project Terra represents a logical step in the evolution of NASA's program 

 in Earth System Science; it should be integrated into the IGBP currently being 

 defined by the National Research Council. 



Findings and Recommendations 



Findings 



• Biologists, ecologists, and Earth scientists can find compelling challenges 



arth System S I I lo ■ ■ View (NASA, 1988) and Global Change in the 



128 



