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Writer's pictureSindhu Sivakumar

Applications of Remote Sensing

Remote sensing technology has transformed land administration, providing a diverse set of applications that improve efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making processes. Remote sensing has become a useful tool for land resource management due to its use of numerous sensors and data processing techniques.

It plays important role in:

Land use planning:

Remote sensing is important in modern land administration because it allows for more effective monitoring and control of land resources. It provides authorities with reliable spatial data for land-use planning, environmental evaluation, and boundary demarcation, resulting in more informed decision-making and sustainable development.

Some of the areas where Remote Sensing is used include:

o   Land use and Land cover classification

o   Urban planning and development

o   Environmental management

o   Disaster management

High-resolution images and geospatial data help planners to assess land cover, analyse spatial patterns, and forecast urban growth. This information is crucial for making informed decisions that balance development with environmental sustainability.



Agriculture:

Remote Sensing pays way for monitoring agricultural areas without being physically present at the location. It helps farmers in knowing the crop health, growth and yield with minimal labour. Some of the areas where remote sensing helps in agricultural production are:

o   Soil Moisture content

o   Soil characteristics

o   Crop type identification and classification

o   Crop condition assessment

o   Crop damage detection

o   Yield estimation


(Remote Sensing for agriculture monitoring: Sentinel-2 features and precision agriculture)


Furthermore, remote sensing supports large-scale agricultural planning and food security assessments by providing comprehensive data on crop production and land use changes.



Forestry:

Remote sensing has transformed forest management by enabling regular monitoring of forest cover, biodiversity, and deforestation. Satellite imagery and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology offer detailed insights into forest structure, biomass, and carbon storage. This information helps to direct conservation efforts, support sustainable forestry practices, and contribute to the preservation of key ecosystems. Remote Sensing helps in keeping in track of the regulation (EUDR) for sustainable forestry.

 

The most significant forest information derived from remotely sensed data can be generally classified into the following categories:

o   Detailed forest inventory data (e.g., within-stand characteristics)

o   Broad-scale monitoring of forest health and natural disturbances.

o   Assessment of forest structure to promote sustainable forest management.

 


Weather:

Satellites measure radiation from the earth's surface and cloud tops. By taking such observations at appropriate wavelengths and using physical and statistical methodologies, a wide range of weather monitoring and forecasting products can be computed. Some of the areas where remote sending is applied in weather forecasting are:

o   Temperature

o   Precipitation monitoring

o   Recording wind movement

o   Monitoring cyclone and storms in certain areas


(High-resolution (1-km) precipitation rate received by C-band weather radar during the extreme convection event in northern Poland)



Hydrology:

Remote sensing data is now widely used for regional and global monitoring of rainfall, water levels, and floods. In the upcoming years, new and advanced satellite sensors will be specifically tailored for hydrological applications. Some applications of remote sensing in the hydrology sector include the following:

o   Wetlands mapping and monitoring

o   Soil moisture estimation

o   Measuring snow thickness

o   River and lake ice monitoring

o   Flood mapping

o   River/ delta change detection

Remote sensing also aids in watershed management, providing data for modelling water flow, sediment transport, and the impact of land use changes on water quality.

 


Conclusion:

To conclude the applications of remote sensing in these various disciplines reveal its transformational power. Remote sensing improves decision-making processes by providing precise, real-time data and extensive geographical analysis, supports sustainable practices, and addresses global concerns such as climate change, food security, and environmental conservation. As technology advances, the scope and effect of remote sensing are anticipated to broaden, encouraging innovation and advancement across a wide range of fields.

 

 

References:



  • Abad-Segura, E.; González-Zamar, M.-D.; Vázquez-Cano, E.; López-Meneses, E. Remote Sensing Applied in Forest Management to Optimize Ecosystem Services: Advances in Research. Forests 202011, 969. https://doi.org/10.3390/f11090969


  • Mitra, A.K. (2023). Use of Remote Sensing in Weather and Climate Forecasts. In: Gahalaut, V.K., Rajeevan, M. (eds) Social and Economic Impact of Earth Sciences. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-6929-4_5


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