Remote Sensing for Ecology and Conservation: A Handbook of Techniques [Paperback]

Remote sensing describes the technique of collecting information from a distance. This book describes the ways that remotely sensed data from research on biodiversity and its conservation can be captured and used, especially for evaluating human impacts on ecological systems.The work of conservation biology has grown from local studies of single species into a discipline concerned with mapping and managing biodiversity on a global scale. Remote sensing, using satellite and aerial imaging to measure and map the environment, increasingly provides a vital tool for effective collection of the information needed to research and set policy for conservation priorities. The perceived complexities of remotely sensed data and analyses have tended to discourage scientists and managers from using this valuable resource. This text focuses on making remote sensing tools accessible to a larger audience of non-specialists, highlighting strengths and limitations while emphasizing the ways that remotely sensed data can be captured and used, especially for evaluating human impacts on ecological systems.PrefaceAcronyms List1. Introduction: Why Ecologists and Conservation Biologists Use Remote Sensing2. When to Use Remote Sensing3. Working with Images4. Measuring and Monitoring Land Cover, Land Use, and Vegetation Characteristics5. Terrain and Soils6. Marine and Coastal Environments7. Wetlands-Estuaries, Inland Wetlands, and Freshwater Lakes8. Atmosphere and Climate9. Disturbances: Fires and Floods10. Landscape Fragmentation11. Human Interfaces and Urban Change12. Protected Area Design and Monitoring13. Integrating Field Data14. Linking Remote Sensing with Modeling15. Global ConservationAppendix 1 The Electromagnetic SpectrumAppendix 2 Image Processing SoftwareAppendix 3 Open Source SoftwareAppendix 4 Satellites and SensorsAppendix 5 Visual InterpretationAppendix 6 Systems for Observing Climate and Atmospheric PhenomenaReferencesIndexNed Horningstarted his 20-year careelƒ1