1. Introduction

    The objective of this project is to evaluate the recent studies developed on understanding the Amazonia Basin region using remote sensing techniques. The Amazon forest area covers approximately half of South America. The forest system plays a very important role in the hydrological cycle by transporting heat and moisture to the mid-latitudes. The main objective is to identify the relationship between the physiographical effects such as sea-continent interface, river-land-lakes circulations, topography and forest-cleared areas, and the tropical rainfall. Special attention will focus on the new TRMM satellite that was launched recently and covers the area of study. Our hypothesis is that forest-cleared areas may create local circulations that could change the rainfall pattern.

    First, recent studies were analyzed regarding the climatological rainfall and surface characteristics. Second, the TRMM satellite radar signal is compared with the ground radar data from the calibration field experiment held in January and February of 1999. Special cases were studied using this data in order to understand the behavior and structure of the convective systems that occurred during this period. Finally, the rainfall rate from the TRMM satellite is evaluated and compared with the surface features.