Remote sensing and geospatial analysis for landscape pattern characterization

Abstract

Landscape pattern characterization aims to map, quantify, and interpret landscape spatial patterns, and is therefore a fundamental pursuit in landscape ecology. The advances in remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) have greatly contributed to the development of quantitative methods for landscape pattern characterization. This chapter will review the utilities of remote sensing and GIS for the measurement, analysis, and interpretation of landscape spatial patterns. While remote sensing allows a direct observation of landscape patterns and processes at various scales, GIS provides a technical platform for data integration and synthesis in support of landscape pattern analysis and modeling. The chapter will begin with an overview on the research status identifying some gaps when landscape ecologists utilize remote sensing and GIS techniques in their research. Then, it will examine the utilities of remote sensing and landscape metrics for landscape pattern mapping and quantification, which will be followed by a discussion on GIS-based spatial analysis and modeling techniques for examining patterns, relationships, and emerging trends and for simulation and prediction. While the topics covered in this chapter span the entire spectrum in landscape pattern characterization, our emphasis is not on a comprehensive review but on some methodological issues highlighting caveats and cautions when using remote sensing and geospatial techniques. We believe the issues identified here can help landscape ecologists to better utilize remote sensing and GIS techniques in their specific applications.