Evologic Software Technologies Pvt Ltd

Imagine you have been asked to investigate how temperature changes in a large body of water such as the Arabian Sea affect shellfish populations. Or imagine that you have been asked to perform an analysis of how land use in your region has changed over the past decade. Such projects are very real and very important on a regional scale, and the results of very similar environmental research are often used as the basis for policy decisions by local and state governments.

As you consider such a task, numerous questions come to mind. What kinds of measurements would you need to make? How often would you need these measurements? How much area should your research cover? What tools are available for such a research project? What are the costs involved? In many cases the answers to these questions identify a need for measurements and observations on temporal (time) and spatial scales that are impossible for a single person (or even a well organized group of researchers) to meet. Additionally, the manpower and the funding is often not available to carry out such research using traditional methods of field research.

These problems are increasingly faced by researchers by turning to remote sensing as a cost effective tool for performing environmental research on local and regional scales. Remote sensing is not a new concept and has been used extensively in global environmental research over the past several decades. However, recent advances in remote sensing technologies, lower cost, and greater availability of remotely-sensed data has made it a much more attractive a solution for local and regional governments, schools and universities interested in performing environmental research that may have real impact on their communities.

What is Remote Sensing?

Remote sensing can be defined as the study of something without making actual contact with the object of study. More precisely, it can be defined as: "The acquisition and measurement of data/information on some property(ies) of a phenomenon, object, or material by a recording device not in physical, intimate contact with the feature(s) under surveillance"

Whatever working definition you use to describe remote sensing, the key concept is that remote sensing involves making observations remotely, or without physical contact with the object under investigation. The remote nature of these technologies allow us to make observations, take measurements, and produce images of phenomena that are beyond the limits of our own senses and capabilities.

Remote sensing tools can be used to study things on all scales, ranging from the smallest particles within the atom to the universe as a whole.

Remote sensing of our environment also allows research to occur on time scales, both in duration and frequency, which was previously impossible

Measurements of key environmental indicators can be automated and made remotely at any time interval necessary to provide better insight into natural phenomena. For example, satellite data depicting the degree of vegetative cover in a particular region can be produced on a weekly basis over the course of several years, providing researchers with valuable insight into how weather, climate change, and human interaction may affect our agricultural production.

Another benefit of remote sensing is that it often allows the investigation of portions of the Earth that are difficult or dangerous to reach. Satellite and aircraft sensors can help us investigate the Earth's polar regions, upper atmosphere, forest fire and volcanic activity, remote oceans, and desert landscapes without having to send people into these dangerous locations.