Remote sensing

Although we have described the use of raster GIS (geographic information system) databases in prior chapters of this book, it is evident that foresters and natural resource managers need remote sensing knowledge in order to communicate well with other colleagues. Therefore, this chapter is devoted to describing the electromagnetic spectrum of energy and some of the various platforms that have been devised to collect it, from satellites to small aircraft, to drones. The resolutions (spatial, spectral, temporal, radiometric) related to the products derived from these systems can vary dramatically, and an understanding of the potential advantages and drawbacks of each is necessary for addressing contemporary natural resource management issues. Recent work in obtaining databases utilizing laser scanners and terrestrial LiDAR (light detection and ranging) units allowing for data collection processed for canopy and bole structure, volume estimates, and wood quality estimates is mentioned. Remotely sensed GIS databases are often important sets of information for habitat assessment and inventory design for natural resources managers, serve as inputs for model development, and are utilized to identify landscape changes over time.