Preface
The utility of measurements of reflected and emitted radiation from the Earth
system captured by space-borne sensors on satellites has been realized in
numerous scientific disciplines in recent decades. This form of data collection
(called satellite remote sensing) has enjoyed wide application in efforts to study
the Earth system because space-borne sensors can monitor the planet consistently
and at spatial scales not accessible by other methods of observation (Kerr and
Ostrovsky 2003). In addition, the occurrence of significant environmental change
has brought the tools of satellite remote sensing to the forefront of research on the
physical characteristics and processes of Earth’s biosphere (Myneni et al. 1997;
Nemani et al. 2003; Pettorelli et al. 2005). With an eye toward assessing global
environmental change, scientists have harnessed the capabilities of satellite remote
sensing to derive various metrics of the biophysical characteristics of terrestrial
and oceanic ecosystems.
The purpose of this edited volume is to highlight selected Biophysical Applications of Satellite Remote Sensing in terrestrial and oceanic ecosystems for the
benefit of scientists, educators, and students. While the applications presented in
this volume are distinct because they focus on particular biophysical characteristics of terrestrial and oceanic ecosystems, they all relate, in some form, to ecosystem productivity. As a collection of diverse metrics unified by the common
theme of productivity, this volume provides the reader with a sampling of tools
that can be used to better understand Earth’s living systems. Within each chapter,
the reader will find a discussion of the theoretical basis for the biophysical
application, methods of validation, research findings, and future research directions. Chapters 1–6 focus on applications of satellite remote sensing to the study of
terrestrial ecosystems, while Chaps. 7 and 8 concentrate on oceanic ecosystems.
Jonathan M. Hanes
vii
The utility of measurements of reflected and emitted radiation from the Earth
system captured by space-borne sensors on satellites has been realized in
numerous scientific disciplines in recent decades. This form of data collection
(called satellite remote sensing) has enjoyed wide application in efforts to study
the Earth system because space-borne sensors can monitor the planet consistently
and at spatial scales not accessible by other methods of observation (Kerr and
Ostrovsky 2003). In addition, the occurrence of significant environmental change
has brought the tools of satellite remote sensing to the forefront of research on the
physical characteristics and processes of Earth’s biosphere (Myneni et al. 1997;
Nemani et al. 2003; Pettorelli et al. 2005). With an eye toward assessing global
environmental change, scientists have harnessed the capabilities of satellite remote
sensing to derive various metrics of the biophysical characteristics of terrestrial
and oceanic ecosystems.
The purpose of this edited volume is to highlight selected Biophysical Applications of Satellite Remote Sensing in terrestrial and oceanic ecosystems for the
benefit of scientists, educators, and students. While the applications presented in
this volume are distinct because they focus on particular biophysical characteristics of terrestrial and oceanic ecosystems, they all relate, in some form, to ecosystem productivity. As a collection of diverse metrics unified by the common
theme of productivity, this volume provides the reader with a sampling of tools
that can be used to better understand Earth’s living systems. Within each chapter,
the reader will find a discussion of the theoretical basis for the biophysical
application, methods of validation, research findings, and future research directions. Chapters 1–6 focus on applications of satellite remote sensing to the study of
terrestrial ecosystems, while Chaps. 7 and 8 concentrate on oceanic ecosystems.
Jonathan M. Hanes
vii