ability of remote sensing researchers to systematically monitor and evaluate land
use/land cover changes and their impacts on water quality and quantity. In that
context, practitioners developed classification schemes specifically tailored for use
with remotely sensed imagery and for systematic assessment of land use change.
Since then, land observation technologies have evolved to allow extensive and
intricate land use monitoring techniques, and now, in the twenty-first century,
include the use of lasers for 3-D analyses and unmanned aerial systems. Such
technologies have enabled land use assessment to contribute not only to its original
focus in urban and regional planning but to a broad range of environmental and
social issues. This chapter provides an overview of remote sensing, its technological evolution, and remote sensing applications in land use and land cover
mapping and monitoring, with a focus upon implications for watershed assessment
and management.
Keywords Electromagnetic spectrum • Land cover • Land use • Remote sensing •
Water resources
1 Introduction
Land use and land cover mapping date back to Egyptian and Babylonian civilizations thousands of years BC [1] and have long formed essential components to
understanding Earth’s resources including water, its most vital resource. Approximately, 70 % of Earth’s surface is covered with water versus 30 % land cover. And,
it’s estimated that, over time, humans have modified over 50 % of the natural land
cover [2], thereby creating conditions that affect natural water resources and its
quality.
Key land use changes that adversely impact water resources include deforestation, desertification, and urbanization. Deforestation outcomes typically change
to either agricultural or urban land uses. Although land conversion from forests to
agriculture impacts water quality, the level of impact is highly dependent on
agricultural practices (i.e., tillage technique, chemical use versus organic practices,
or size and type of conservation easements). Current agricultural practices have a
greater impact on water quantity because of over-withdrawal from groundwater
supplies (estimated up to 35 %) or diversion of water into water-poor areas for
irrigation purposes [3, 4].
Urbanization is the most extreme form of land cover and land use changes as it
results in losses of agricultural and forested lands coupled with notable expansion
of impervious surface cover [5, 6]. These effects, combined with associated
decreases in vegetative cover, result in significant local hydrologic modifications
[7–9] and habitat destruction [10]. Hydrologic modifications represent the most
significant water quality and quantity issues present today [7, 9, 11]. Stormwater
runoff from impervious surfaces in urban areas degrades water quality through
2
T.E. Parece and J.B. Campbell
use/land cover changes and their impacts on water quality and quantity. In that
context, practitioners developed classification schemes specifically tailored for use
with remotely sensed imagery and for systematic assessment of land use change.
Since then, land observation technologies have evolved to allow extensive and
intricate land use monitoring techniques, and now, in the twenty-first century,
include the use of lasers for 3-D analyses and unmanned aerial systems. Such
technologies have enabled land use assessment to contribute not only to its original
focus in urban and regional planning but to a broad range of environmental and
social issues. This chapter provides an overview of remote sensing, its technological evolution, and remote sensing applications in land use and land cover
mapping and monitoring, with a focus upon implications for watershed assessment
and management.
Keywords Electromagnetic spectrum • Land cover • Land use • Remote sensing •
Water resources
1 Introduction
Land use and land cover mapping date back to Egyptian and Babylonian civilizations thousands of years BC [1] and have long formed essential components to
understanding Earth’s resources including water, its most vital resource. Approximately, 70 % of Earth’s surface is covered with water versus 30 % land cover. And,
it’s estimated that, over time, humans have modified over 50 % of the natural land
cover [2], thereby creating conditions that affect natural water resources and its
quality.
Key land use changes that adversely impact water resources include deforestation, desertification, and urbanization. Deforestation outcomes typically change
to either agricultural or urban land uses. Although land conversion from forests to
agriculture impacts water quality, the level of impact is highly dependent on
agricultural practices (i.e., tillage technique, chemical use versus organic practices,
or size and type of conservation easements). Current agricultural practices have a
greater impact on water quantity because of over-withdrawal from groundwater
supplies (estimated up to 35 %) or diversion of water into water-poor areas for
irrigation purposes [3, 4].
Urbanization is the most extreme form of land cover and land use changes as it
results in losses of agricultural and forested lands coupled with notable expansion
of impervious surface cover [5, 6]. These effects, combined with associated
decreases in vegetative cover, result in significant local hydrologic modifications
[7–9] and habitat destruction [10]. Hydrologic modifications represent the most
significant water quality and quantity issues present today [7, 9, 11]. Stormwater
runoff from impervious surfaces in urban areas degrades water quality through
2
T.E. Parece and J.B. Campbell