Remote sensing changing natural resource management

Excerpt

A major fear is that the remote sensing technology might be over sold. This happened in the 1970s when people were told that they would be able to detect diseases, nitrogen deficiencies, and many other stresses—all which proved false or inconsistent. But the conditions for applying remote sensing to natural resource management are now greatly improved. The improvements have come through advances in sensor technology, as well as dramatic improvements in computer hardware and software, and the ability to rapidly transfer data between remote locations. We must realize however, that we are dealing with complex technologies that require specialized training and patience for achieving success in real applications.

What is remote sensing?

Let's look at what can be done with this new remote sensing technology. Using aircraft sensors to provide data, we have been able to map field boundaries, locate stressed vegetation, and detect unusual conditions within experimental sites and on farmer production fields. Remotely sensed data are also useful in helping to define management units. Areas with similar responses within a field can be identified and sampled together. This directed sampling approach could replace typical grid sampling techniques that disregard soil variability. ...