558
projection. The two methods are related as SVD is regularly used to find the
eigenvalues of a dataset’s covariance matrix needed by PCA.
Solar spectrum The light emitted by the sun—or solar radiation measured as
irradiance upon a surface—expressed as a function of wavelength. These wavelengths extend from the UV to mid-infrared or from 200 nm to 3.0 μm. Optical
remote sensing is primarily interested in the wavelengths of solar light that penetrate the atmosphere and reach the ground surface, which range from about
370 nm to 2.5 μm.
Spaceborne Measurement sensors mounted on satellites or space stations and
deployed in orbit (as in “spaceborne remote sensing”).
Spatial domain The realm of measurements or properties existing in space.
Spatial grain The spatial resolution (pixel size) of a remote sensing dataset. See
spatial resolution.
Spatial resolution Generally, the size of the smallest measurement unit (pixel)
in an image.
Spatial scale The grain size and spatial extent at which data about a phenomenon
are sampled or expressed.
Spatially explicit Exhibiting spatial properties such as geographic position and/
or extent.
Species A group of organisms of a type, distinct from other such groups. Defining
what constitutes a species remains a contentious discussion in taxonomy, and
several common definitions exist: the biological species concept involves a
group of interbreeding (or potentially interbreeding) organisms; the morphological species concept is based on morphology; the phylogenetic species concept is
based on evolutionary history.
Species distribution model An empirical statistical approach that predicts the
spatial and temporal distribution of species, usually as a function of climatic
and other environmental (soils, topography) variables. See species distribution
modeling.
Species distribution modeling (SDM) A modeling procedure with the purpose
of predicting the occurrence of taxa in geographical space and time as a function
of gridded geographic variables related to climate and environment. See environmental niche model and niche model.
Species diversity Taxonomic diversity at the species level, as distinct from functional diversity, phylogenetic diversity, etc.
Species evenness The relative abundance of species relative to other species in a
given area.
Species richness The number of species found in a given area.
Species turnover Changes in species composition from one community to
another, over space (geographic distance), or time. Often characterized as a rate,
one aspect of beta diversity.
Specific leaf area (SLA) Leaf area per unit dry mass, usually expressed in
m
2
kg
−1
; it is the reciprocal of leaf mass per area (based on unit conventions,
SLA = 1000/LMA).
Spectral band A defined region of the electromagnetic spectrum measured by a
detector. See band.
Glossary
projection. The two methods are related as SVD is regularly used to find the
eigenvalues of a dataset’s covariance matrix needed by PCA.
Solar spectrum The light emitted by the sun—or solar radiation measured as
irradiance upon a surface—expressed as a function of wavelength. These wavelengths extend from the UV to mid-infrared or from 200 nm to 3.0 μm. Optical
remote sensing is primarily interested in the wavelengths of solar light that penetrate the atmosphere and reach the ground surface, which range from about
370 nm to 2.5 μm.
Spaceborne Measurement sensors mounted on satellites or space stations and
deployed in orbit (as in “spaceborne remote sensing”).
Spatial domain The realm of measurements or properties existing in space.
Spatial grain The spatial resolution (pixel size) of a remote sensing dataset. See
spatial resolution.
Spatial resolution Generally, the size of the smallest measurement unit (pixel)
in an image.
Spatial scale The grain size and spatial extent at which data about a phenomenon
are sampled or expressed.
Spatially explicit Exhibiting spatial properties such as geographic position and/
or extent.
Species A group of organisms of a type, distinct from other such groups. Defining
what constitutes a species remains a contentious discussion in taxonomy, and
several common definitions exist: the biological species concept involves a
group of interbreeding (or potentially interbreeding) organisms; the morphological species concept is based on morphology; the phylogenetic species concept is
based on evolutionary history.
Species distribution model An empirical statistical approach that predicts the
spatial and temporal distribution of species, usually as a function of climatic
and other environmental (soils, topography) variables. See species distribution
modeling.
Species distribution modeling (SDM) A modeling procedure with the purpose
of predicting the occurrence of taxa in geographical space and time as a function
of gridded geographic variables related to climate and environment. See environmental niche model and niche model.
Species diversity Taxonomic diversity at the species level, as distinct from functional diversity, phylogenetic diversity, etc.
Species evenness The relative abundance of species relative to other species in a
given area.
Species richness The number of species found in a given area.
Species turnover Changes in species composition from one community to
another, over space (geographic distance), or time. Often characterized as a rate,
one aspect of beta diversity.
Specific leaf area (SLA) Leaf area per unit dry mass, usually expressed in
m
2
kg
−1
; it is the reciprocal of leaf mass per area (based on unit conventions,
SLA = 1000/LMA).
Spectral band A defined region of the electromagnetic spectrum measured by a
detector. See band.
Glossary