Remote Sensing of Ecology, Biodiversity and Conservation: A Review from the Perspective of Remote Sensing Specialists

Abstract

Remote sensing, the science of obtaining information via noncontact recording, has swept the fields of ecology, biodiversity and conservation (EBC). Several quality review papers have contributed to this field. However, these papers often discuss the issues from the standpoint of an ecologist or a biodiversity specialist. This review focuses on the spaceborne remote sensing of EBC from the perspective of remote sensing specialists, i.e., it is organized in the context of state-of-the-art remote sensing technology, including instruments and techniques. Herein, the instruments to be discussed consist of high spatial resolution, hyperspectral, thermal infrared, small-satellite constellation, and LIDAR sensors; and the techniques refer to image classification, vegetation index (VI), inversion algorithm, data fusion, and the integration of remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS).

An Overview of Hyperspectral Remote Sensing and its applications in various Disciplines

“…Mapping and monitoring biodiversity is very tedious due to the multifaceted nature of biodiversity [9]. By utilization of hyperspectral remote sensing data it is possible to collect ample spectral information across the spectrum generally [9].…”

“…Ecology: Ecological studies involve the investigation of organisms and their surrounding environment, including biotic and abiotic entities [9]. Mapping and monitoring biodiversity is very tedious due to the multifaceted nature of biodiversity [9].…”

“…Parameters like LAI, chlorophyll content, water content and nitrogen content indicate physiological state and stress conditions which affect crop yield and therefore it is important to establish mathematical relationship between various hyperspectral indices and crop parameters. [9].Various characteristics like species, LAI, biomass stress can be assessed effectively by hyperspectral vegetation indices because these indices reduce multispectral remote sensing data to single numbers. [12].…”

Earth observation satellite sensors for biodiversity monitoring: potentials and bottlenecks

“…Only a few articles illustrate the use and potential of airborne and spaceborne sensors for observations in the field of biodiversity and conservation. Ten years ago, Turner et al (2003) presented a review of sensors available for indirect biodiversity monitoring via the derivation of biophysical parameters, and Wang et al (2010) reviewed spaceborne remote sensing for ecology, biodiversity, and conservation studies, mainly focusing on high-resolution, hyperspectral, lidar, and small CubeSat sensors. However, no publication exists that is half-way up to date and presents a holistic overview of all spaceborne available optical, infrared, thermal, and radar imaging sensors as well as highlighting their most suitable fields of application related to biodiversity-type assessments.…”

Mapping and evaluation of landscape ecological status using geographic indices extracted from remote sensing imagery of the Pearl River Delta, China, between 1998 and 2008

“…The development of remote sensing techniques has meant that satellite remote sensing has become widely used for the derivation of the ecological and biophysical parameters used in ecological applications, such as monitoring vegetation cover change, urbanization, and desertification (Pontius et al 2004(Pontius et al , 2011Fan et al 2009). Comprehensive reviews have been conducted regarding the application of various types of satellite remote sensing data and techniques in studies of ecological status (e.g., Wang et al 2010). Such applications have usually focused on one aspect of ecological status, and they have extracted information and analyzed the change of a single ecological factor, such as monitoring land cover change, and change analysis of wetlands and land surface temperature (LST) (Zhang et al 2007;Bradley et al 2009;Singh et al 2014).…”