Remote Sensing and Ecology

Ecosystems are dynamic places comprised of  vegetation and organisms that function as a result of their interaction with each other and the surrounding environment. The success of an ecosystem is contingent upon the success of its inhabitants and the environmental conditions, it is improtant to monitor these factors in order to conduct quality research and contribute to maintaining healthy conditions.

Remote sensing is a tool ecologists can use for collecting data in a variety of settings. In ecology, as with  other disciplines, remote sensing gives researchers the opportunity to collect information about otherwise inaccessible places, with a higher temporal frequency then may otherwise be possible.

 

Many  platforms and sensors can be used  to gather data for ecologic research. Landsat imagery has been  used extensively in ecological studies.  For virtually every sensor and platform there is an application to the study of ecology.

Ecologist can gain crucial information about multiple aspects of an ecosystem by studying qualitative and quantitative data collected remotely. For example, changes indicated in Landsat images of a difficult to reach wetland area may explain changes in a specie's population .  Sea surface teperature data can be studied to understand a geograpic shift in a species. In many regions of the world remote sensing may be the only option for habitat monitoring and conservation. 

 

When reviewing the applications of remote sensing in ecology, it becomes clear that remote sensing is an extremely useful means of gathering data in many branches of ecology.