For the first time, scientists have used satellite images to demonstrate a link between rapid city growth and rainfall patterns, as well as to assess compliance with an international treaty to protect wetlands. The results have been published in two studies co-authored by Karen Seto, assistant professor of geological and environmental sciences and a fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment at Stanford University. "The exciting thing is really for the first time, using a time series of satellite images, we can monitor Earth in a way that we haven't been able to," Seto said. "It's not just about urban growth or wetlands—it could be about desertification or deforestation—but it's really just this issue of human modification of the Earth."

For a news article on this study: http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2007/july11/seto-071107.html

For a video clip on this study: http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2007/july11/videos/235_flash.html