Remote Sensing
One of the most advantageous applications of remote sensing is the study of vegetation cover through the use of satellite images and digital maps that can distinguish the status of vegetation cover and diagnose plant condition. Satellite imaging aids in the monitoring of vegetation cover, estimating its extent, classifying it, predicting its production and illnesses, estimating vegetation density and changes in plant biomass, and distinguishing between various vegetation coverings.
There are two major types of remote sensing methods: passive remote sensing and active remote sensing. Passive sensors collect radiation generated or reflected by the item or its surroundings. The most prevalent source of radiation recorded by passive sensors is reflected sunlight. Film photography, infrared, charge-coupled devices, and radiometers are examples of passive remote sensors. Active sensors produces energy to scan objects and spaces, after which a sensor detects and measures the reflected or backscattered radiation from the target. Active remote sensing techniques such as RADAR and LiDAR measure the time delay between emission and return to determine an object's position, speed, and direction.
The Process
The information about a vegetation / area is being collected without making physical contact with the land and thus in contrast to on-site observation. This is done through the use of remote sensing technology, such as satellite imagery, aerial photography, radar, sonar and lidar. Remote sensing of plants mostly makes use of electromagnetic radiation in the visible and infrared spectrum. Vegetation may be detected on remotely sensed images due to absorption of red and blue light for photosynthesis and strong reflection of infrared light by mesophyll cells.
This information is collected and stored in databases. Then using an advanced or various similar softwares, data is merged to several layers for effective visual representation. The generated image will be further processed to identify and mark specified indexes like color, area, distribution etc. This is called mapping. It helps to divide areas into various risk levels from low to high according to the specified index. This may be done using heatmaps.
The Application
Remote Sensing and How it Can be Used to Monitor Plant Growth (keywords: remote sensing for agriculture, agriculture monitoring software, agriculture remote sensing system, aerial imagery)
Crop and horticulture management softwares can be improved for uplifting farmers throughout the world. Imaging of the crops can drastically reduce the risk of plant diseases such as blight or other nutrient deficiencies. This can help to grow economy of the country. Plant health affects the yield and needs to be closely monitored. Agriculture monitoring softwares helps to do the same, and can be used to monitor the invasive weeds too.
Mapping of Reforestation Efforts is rarely done in many parts of the country. Some NGOs and other nature conservationists have to become the watchdogs. This problem may easily be erased through constant updation of the maps, intermittent field analysis teams along with advanced image analysing softwares. Privately or otherwise owned farms, plantations need some Landscape policies which will have to be deviced as a part of their social responsibility. Waste water management and Rainwater Management is not done by majority. New laws may be introduced combining revenue department and geology department. Thereby formulating policies during applying for construction of buildings or registering new land assets for water conservation and replenishing plants. Evaluation of tree loss due to felling and encroachment can be monitored effectively.
Modeling and control of recurring wildfire and vegetation loss can be done with GIS. One of the major problems in ecology is the relevance and practices for management of weeds and other introduced species. This disrupts the natural habitat and has deadly potential to affect the vegetation and harbouring organisms negatively. Stricter regulations and laws can be deviced by studying the modelled data for air and water quality along with Erosion control. This will reduce the floods and landslides by replenishing barren lands with crops or natural forest cover.
The Challenges
Most remote sensing systems anticipate to extrapolate sensor data in respect to a reference point, including distances between known sites on the ground, in order to produce sensor-based maps. This is determined on the type of sensor utilised. For example, with traditional pictures, distances are correct at the centre of the image, with measurement distortion rising as you move away from the centre. Another element is the platen against which the film is pushed, which can produce significant mistakes when using pictures to determine ground distances. This may be rectified by geotagging areas of interest. Use of GPS to mark locations and vegetation cover can be helpful.
The Conclusion
The Future of Remote Sensing for Plant ecosystem is very bright. We look forward to lower carbon footprint society, and it needs drastic measures along with sustainable technological reforms. People should be made aware of the changing climate scenarios and the impact on nature and our own health. Everyone must assign themselves as ambassadors of nature and must give paramount efforts to conserve and stabilise the nature. This can be done, and it must be done at the earliest.
