21-01-2016, 03:16 PM
Remote sensing is one of a suite of tools available to land managers that provides up-to-date, detailed information about land condition. Remote sensing uses instruments mounted on satellites or in planes to produce images or 'scenes' of the Earth's surface. This process may be split into active remote sensing, when a signal is first emitted from or passive (e.g. sunlight) when information is merely recorded.Remotely sensed images can be used in many applications, for example for mineral exploration, monitoring ocean currents, land use planning, and monitoring the condition of forest and agricultural areas, LIDAR (light detection and ranging) etc. The uniqueness of satellite remote sensing lies in its ability to show large land areas and to detect features at electromagnetic wavelengths which are not visible to the human eye. Remote sensing data is processed and analyzed with computer software, known as a remote sensing application which comes in a variety of packages.