Applied remote sensing

Description

Interest in remote sensing has grown rapidly in recent years, and the interdisciplinary nature of the subject has made it a valuable integrating tool in the study of the terrestrial environment. In this book Dr Lo aims to convey an understanding of the theories and practices of remote sensing through a series of case studies, each carefully selected to demonstrate a typical approach under the constraints of the data available. This permits an in-depth avaluation of the various techniques in extracting both metric and descriptive invironmental data. After an overview of the sensor types and the principles of electromagnetic remote sensing, the importance of the human population is brought forth as the focus of the study of the environment. This is carried forward to an examination of the applicability of photographic and non-photographic remote sensing systems to study the radiation budget, temperature structure, clouds, rainfall, winds, storms and weather conditions of the atmosphere. Subsequent chapters cover the lithosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere, as well as the cartographic problems involved in land use/land cover and topographic mapping using both photographic and non-photographic systems from airborne and satellite platforms. The book concludes with a discussion on the impact of electronic computers which permit an integration of environmental remote sensing data with other spatial data in the development of geographic information systems. This wide-ranging and authoritative text is aimed at all environmental scientists - geologists, geographers, meteorologists, ecologists, hydrologists and earth scientists - who have an elementary knowledge of remote sensing. It will also be suitable for use in teaching courses on remote sensing, and as a research manual for environmental scientists.

Subjects

Series Statement

• Longman Scientific & Technical