Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Earth Remote Sensing can be defined as the detection, measurement and
analysis of electromagnetic energy reflected, emitted or diffracted by an Earth
surface feature without being in physical contact with it (Lillesand et al.
2008
).
This broad definition includes aerial imaging in the ultraviolet, visible and infrared
(near, mid and far) reflective part of the spectrum, as well as thermal imaging and
active technologies like radar, and moreover, geo-electric and geo-magnetic
measurements. The use of remote sensing is essential in recording a variety of
information about the Earth's surface and the atmosphere. This form of data
gathering is an important tool in numerous sciences such as meteorology, envi-
ronmental research and cartography. To make full use of the information potential
of
remote
sensing,
data
must
be
processed,
interpreted
and
evaluated
systematically.
The used techniques for interpretation of remotely sensed data are based on
many compatible disciplines including: remote sensing; pattern recognition; arti-
ficial intelligence; computer vision; image processing; and statistical analysis. The
progress in automated analysis of remotely sensed data is optimistic by the
growing volumes of data, the great developments in computer science (software
and hardware) that processes these data, as well as the high cost and effort
involved in ground surveying. The new generation of remote sensing sensors
provides superior spatial and spectral resolution data, leading to the use of
remotely sensed products and further underlining the need for more automated and
simplified forms of processing, interpretation, and analysis. Earth Observation
Remote Sensing has led to the development of human perspectives and increased
greatly our understanding of the planet (Steffen and Tyson
2001
). Beginning with
data from the successful CORONA missions in 1960 and the start of the
LANDSAT-program in the early 1970s, remotely sensed data are now globally
available and deliver an exceptional amount of information about the Earth surface
and the biosphere, thereby offering an enormous potential of information for
monitoring (Campbell
2002
; Jensen
2007
).
A mainly central application of remote sensing is the production of LULC-
maps from satellite imagery. Compared to more conventional mapping approaches
such as terrestrial survey and basic aerial photo interpretation, LULC-mapping
using remote sensing imagery has the competitive advantages of low cost, repet-
itive large area coverage. Earth Observation Systems (EOS) have the potential to
offer spatially-distributed and multi-temporal information on LULC and its envi-
ronmental state over extended areas. Furthermore, satellite systems offer near-real
time information, which is particularly important for natural hazards and disaster
management, as one example. Overall the conduction of LULC-information from
remote sensing imagery is a significant application, concerning the support of
multilateral environmental agreements, decision-making and monitoring systems.
Its future use promises to be rewarding, judging by recent and rapid developments
in sensor technology. Mainly remarkable in this view aspect is the superior spatial
and spectral resolution of the imagery captured by new satellite sensors. As well as
existing sensors such as LANDSAT-TM and SPOT-HRV, a number of new remote
sensing sensors with up to 1 m spatial resolution are already in operation.
Search WWH ::
Custom Search