Rapid satellite data streams in operational applications have clear benefits for monitoring land cover, especially when information can be delivered as fast as changing surface conditions. Over the past decade, remote sensing has become a key tool for monitoring and predicting environmental variables by using satellite data. This package presents the main applications in remote sensing for land surface monitoring and land cover mapping (soil, vegetation, water...). Tomlinson, C.J., Chapman, L., Thornes, E., Baker, C (2011) <doi:10.1002/met.287>.