Introduction to Remotely Sensed Data

Remote sensing is a general term which describes the action of obtaining information about an object with a sensor which is physically separated from the object. Such sensors rely upon the detection of energy emitted from or reflected by the object. Two common examples of remote sensing are human vision, which relies on the detection of reflected light, and sonar, qhich detects sound waves. In the context of microBRIAN, remote sensing is primarily concerned with deriving information about the Earth's surface using an elevated platform. Remotely sensed dataprovide an ideal 'view' of the Earth for various resource inventory and monitoring studies. As such, remote sensing has saved considerable effort and cost in terms of tradiitonal surveyng methods and providesa consistent base for extrapolation and interpolation of ground reconnaissance data.