Remote Sensing and GIS Applications: A Starter Guide

Contents: 1. Eye in the sky. 2. The space, earth and atmosphere. 3. Solar electromagnetic radiation. 4. Spectral reflectance characteristics of objects on earth surface. 5. Aerial photographs and their interpretation. 6. Satellite and sensors. 7. Satellite data and their interpretation techniques. 8. Geographical information system (GIS). 9. Landform classification and mapping. 10. Soil resources classification and mapping. 11. Water resources appraisal and management. 12. Forest resources monitoring and management. 13. Land use/ land cover classification and wasteland mapping. 14. Integration of natural resources.15. Crop acreage and yield estimation.16. Watershed development planning and impact assessment.17. Command area monitoring and management.18. Land degradation and desertification.19. Natural calamities and disaster mapping. References. The Satellite Remote Sensing and GIS, a new fast developing technology, has potential for quick and accurate assessment and characterization of natural resources potentials. Nowadays, for any small query, planning and management of natural resources, one can find quick answer by referring the satellite images. But, satellite images have to be interpreted which requires training and skill. During recent years, at many Universities, at graduate and post graduate degree courses of engineering, agriculture, forestry, geology, geography and environmental sciences, Remote sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) has been added as a part of syllabus. Keeping in mind, this book has been written, in simple explanatory language with illustrations, so that even novice and inexperienced person can understand and interpret the satellite images. There are 19 chapters in the book, covering two aspects, (1) Fundamentals of Remote Sensing Technology which includes satellites and sensors, spectral reflectance characteristics of objects on earth surface, satellite image interpretation techniques and GIS, and (2) Applications of the Technology for identification, mapping and monitoring of landforms, soil, surface and ground water and forest resources; land use/ land cover classification and wasteland mapping; land degradation and desertification classification and mapping; crop identification and acreage estimation, watershed development planning and monitoring; natural calamities and disaster management. Each topic has been elaborately explained with case studies to meet the requirement of the students, teachers and natural resource planners.