Summer Field Program 2008
Remote Sensing: A Brief History and Some Recent Applications in the Coastal Environment
Greg Carter
The science and technology of remote sensing has been under continuous development since the invention of photography. Modern sensor and computer systems enable quantitative analyses of ground or sea features based on the information content of electromagnetic radiation reflected or emitted from the earth. Research at the GCRL utilizes data from advanced remote sensors in conjunction with in situ data to address a variety of topics relevant to the ecology and economy of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Hyperspectral image data from aircraft are being used to detect invasive plant populations in coastal wetlands and assess plant species diversity and seagrass distribution on barrier islands. At somewhat larger scales, satellite data are being employed in developing methods to predict bacterial contamination in oysters and harmful algal blooms. The broad applicability of remote sensing principles facilitates the use of remote sensing as a useful and often indispensable tool in a variety of scientific disciplines.
Presentation Slides
