72
The Pros and Cons of Integrating Remote Sensing in Nature
Conservation
The use of remote sensing is strongly recommended to complement traditional
long-term ecological monitoring programs based on field sampling (Gross et al.
2009; Willis 2015; Rodríguez-González et al. 2017). Monitoring at a landscape
scale provides a synoptic view of natural processes and enhances the interpretation
of data collected in field plots. In addition, historical time series of remote sensing
images are now widely available, and this can inform our selection of reference
points for restoration projects (Reif and Theel 2016) or to assess temporal trends,
anomalies or shifts of relevant ecological and biodiversity indicators (Pettorelli
et al. 2016; Skidmore et al. 2015).
However, the major constraints for conservation managers using remote sensing
applications arise from:
• A lack of sufficient knowledge and skilled staff to integrate remote sensing techniques into decision making.
• A lack of clear guidelines on how to apply the procedures or to access the most
reliable data available online.
• The lack of specific scientific and technical committees offering assessment and
supervision on the optimal products, methods and technologies to be used in the
long run to manage and preserve natural areas.
In addition to these specific limitations, the users of remote sensing images and
products are aware of the limited lifetime of sensors and satellites: this can be an
issue for the agencies responsible for maintaining continuity in their missions.
Hopefully, the recent launching of Landsat 8 with the OLI instrument and the
constellation of Sentinel satellites by ESA has secured the provision of Earth
Observation images to the remote sensing community and will increase the use of
its applications.
Conclusions
While traditional long-term ecological monitoring programs are typically underpinned solely on field sampling, a combined approach incorporating remote sensing
tools is essential to providing a landscape-scale perspective. The integration should
be carried out according to the specific monitoring program targets and implemented with complementary methods of ground-truth.
Acknowledgments The monitoring program at landscape scale would not be possible without the
continued support and funding by Consejería de Medio Ambiente y Ordenación del Territorio of
the Andalusian Government, Junta de Andalucía. The whole monitoring program was initially
funded by Organismo Autónomo de Parques Nacionales and also supported by Confederación
R. Díaz-Delgado
The Pros and Cons of Integrating Remote Sensing in Nature
Conservation
The use of remote sensing is strongly recommended to complement traditional
long-term ecological monitoring programs based on field sampling (Gross et al.
2009; Willis 2015; Rodríguez-González et al. 2017). Monitoring at a landscape
scale provides a synoptic view of natural processes and enhances the interpretation
of data collected in field plots. In addition, historical time series of remote sensing
images are now widely available, and this can inform our selection of reference
points for restoration projects (Reif and Theel 2016) or to assess temporal trends,
anomalies or shifts of relevant ecological and biodiversity indicators (Pettorelli
et al. 2016; Skidmore et al. 2015).
However, the major constraints for conservation managers using remote sensing
applications arise from:
• A lack of sufficient knowledge and skilled staff to integrate remote sensing techniques into decision making.
• A lack of clear guidelines on how to apply the procedures or to access the most
reliable data available online.
• The lack of specific scientific and technical committees offering assessment and
supervision on the optimal products, methods and technologies to be used in the
long run to manage and preserve natural areas.
In addition to these specific limitations, the users of remote sensing images and
products are aware of the limited lifetime of sensors and satellites: this can be an
issue for the agencies responsible for maintaining continuity in their missions.
Hopefully, the recent launching of Landsat 8 with the OLI instrument and the
constellation of Sentinel satellites by ESA has secured the provision of Earth
Observation images to the remote sensing community and will increase the use of
its applications.
Conclusions
While traditional long-term ecological monitoring programs are typically underpinned solely on field sampling, a combined approach incorporating remote sensing
tools is essential to providing a landscape-scale perspective. The integration should
be carried out according to the specific monitoring program targets and implemented with complementary methods of ground-truth.
Acknowledgments The monitoring program at landscape scale would not be possible without the
continued support and funding by Consejería de Medio Ambiente y Ordenación del Territorio of
the Andalusian Government, Junta de Andalucía. The whole monitoring program was initially
funded by Organismo Autónomo de Parques Nacionales and also supported by Confederación
R. Díaz-Delgado