Satellite images acquired at night provide a visually arresting perspective of the Earth and the human activities that light up the otherwise mostly dark Earth. These night-time light satellite images can be compiled into a geospatial time series that represent an invaluable source of information for both the natural and social sciences. Night-time light remote sensing has been shown to be particularly useful for a range of natural science and social science applications, including studies relating to urban development, demography, sociology, fishing activity, light pollution and the consequences of civil war. Key sensors for these time-series include the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program’s Operational Linescan System (DMSP/OLS) and the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership Satellite’s Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite Day/Night Band (Suomi NPP/VIIRS DNB). An increasing number of alternative sources are also available, including high spatial resolution and multispectral sensors. This book captures key methodological issues associated with pre-processing night-time light data, documents state of the art analysis methods, and explores a wide range of applications. Major sections focus on NPP/VIIRS DNB processing; inter-calibration between NPP/VIIRS and DMPS/OLS; applications associated with socio-economic activities, applications in monitoring urbanization; and fishing activity monitoring. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of the International Journal of Remote Sensing.

Detailed and accurate information on the spatial distribution of individual species over large spatial extents and over multiple time periods is critical for rapid response and effective management of environmental change. The twenty first century has witnessed a rapid development in both fine resolution sensors and statistical theories and techniques. These innovations hold great potential for improved accuracy of species mapping using remote sensing. Fine Resolution Remote Sensing of Species in Terrestrial and Coastal Ecosystems is a collection of eight cutting-edge studies of fine spatial resolution remote sensing, including species mapping of biogenic and coral reefs, seagrasses, salt and freshwater marshes, and grasslands. The studies illustrate the power of fine resolution imagery for species identification, as well as the value of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery as an ideal source of high-quality reference data at the species level. The studies also highlight the benefit of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data for species identification, and how this varies depending on the species of interest as well as the nature of the context in which the species is found. The broad range of applications explored in the book demonstrates the major contribution of remote sensing to species-level terrestrial and coastal ecosystem studies as well as the potential for future advances. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of the International Journal of Remote Sensing.

Detailed and accurate information on the spatial distribution of individual species over large spatial extents and over multiple time periods is critical for rapid response and effective management of environmental change. The twenty first century has witnessed a rapid development in both fine resolution sensors and statistical theories and techniques. These innovations hold great potential for improved accuracy of species mapping using remote sensing. Fine Resolution Remote Sensing of Species in Terrestrial and Coastal Ecosystems is a collection of eight cutting-edge studies of fine spatial resolution remote sensing, including species mapping of biogenic and coral reefs, seagrasses, salt and freshwater marshes, and grasslands. The studies illustrate the power of fine resolution imagery for species identification, as well as the value of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery as an ideal source of high-quality reference data at the species level. The studies also highlight the benefit of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data for species identification, and how this varies depending on the species of interest as well as the nature of the context in which the species is found. The broad range of applications explored in the book demonstrates the major contribution of remote sensing to species-level terrestrial and coastal ecosystem studies as well as the potential for future advances. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of the International Journal of Remote Sensing.

Satellite images acquired at night provide a visually arresting perspective of the Earth and the human activities that light up the otherwise mostly dark Earth. These night-time light satellite images can be compiled into a geospatial time series that represent an invaluable source of information for both the natural and social sciences. Night-time light remote sensing has been shown to be particularly useful for a range of natural science and social science applications, including studies relating to urban development, demography, sociology, fishing activity, light pollution and the consequences of civil war. Key sensors for these time-series include the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program's Operational Linescan System (DMSP/OLS) and the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership Satellite's Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite Day/Night Band (Suomi NPP/VIIRS DNB). An increasing number of alternative sources are also available, including high spatial resolution and multispectral sensors. This book captures key methodological issues associated with pre-processing night-time light data, documents state of the art analysis methods, and explores a wide range of applications. Major sections focus on NPP/VIIRS DNB processing; inter-calibration between NPP/VIIRS and DMPS/OLS; applications associated with socio-economic activities, applications in monitoring urbanization; and fishing activity monitoring. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of the International Journal of Remote Sensing.