GARDENING
OF GIS
AND
REMOTE
SENSING
TECHNIQUES
IN
LANDSCAPE
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing are both support systems which
can broadly use in the sustainable cultural landscape resources planning and management. These two fields
are both involve in the data acquisition methods, data processing procedures and techniques, the applications
it is used for and so on. These two support systems are also a fast developing system in many fields.
Geographic information systems (GIS) can be used widely in varieties of activities involving planning,
management and analysis of spatial information while Remote Sensing imagery can be used as the baseline
dataset in documenting and analysing the historical and contemporary effects of human activities at cultural
heritage sites. An integrated Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) allows cultural
resource managers, historians, planners, and engineers to catalogue and assess the organizational and
structural patterns of such sites and able to determine sustainable tourism and urban development within
their regions. A regional dynamics survey can be used for analysis of cultural heritage resources by applying
a multi-scalar remote sensing approach to demonstrate patterns of land use and land cover. Remote sensing
method can be used to create an urban dynamic model that visualizes future consequences of environmental
and man-made threats, thereby enabling mitigation and management of these non-renewable resources. GIS
allows us to measure our assets, understand our patterns of change, better understand the resources that we
are using and identify the impact of human activities on the resources or geographic change. GIS also help
us to utilise the resources and manage our resources with the analysis tools that support planning as well as
operational activities.
Introduction
Cultural landscape resources are something of the past encompassing a countrys cultural
entities and became part of the things we see today. Cultural landscapes can be defined as a long and
intimate relationship between mankind and their natural environment. They are protected landscapes or
areas placed in a larger ecosystem context. It symbolises the growing recognition in the links of local
communities with their heritage as well as humankind and its natural environment. According to Rossler, a
cultural landscape has a combination of both tangible and intangible components of nature and culture,
encompassing a range of both biological and cultural diversity.
GIS is a computer based technology and methodology that deal with the real world by
collecting, storing, manipulating, retrieving and even analysing the spatial data or geo-referenced data.
Remote sensing, cartography, surveying are some of the field instruments use for data collection and allow
further data acquisition. Cartography and surveying are examples of mapping process.
In the aspect of resource management, it is an efficient and effective deployment and
allocation of an organization's resources when and where they are needed. Resource management includes
planning, allocating and scheduling of resources to tasks. In term of landscape resource development, it
involves the actual use of a resource during a transformation of the natural material into a commodity or
service to serve human needs and aspirations according to Dr. Phillip Mwanukuzi Geography Department in
UDSM.
Any natural or economic activity with a spatial dimension cannot be properly understood
without reference to its spatial qualities. Spatial data have two essential parts which are location and also
attributes. In term of location, it typically referred to latitude, longitude and national grid references that can
be used to identify the location. However, postcodes can also be used as one of the geospatial codes that
allow identification of location. Attribute referred to any locality that has a number of characteristics or
properties that associated with it. They are kept in the form of tables with contain useful information like
vegetation types, population, annual income and the others.
1
GIS represents real world through digital data. Inputting data in to the GIS, one needs to
specify identities of the objects on the map as well as their spatial relationships. Data representation in GIS
is done by raster method and vector method. IN raster method, the data are arranged in rows and columns in
which each of the cells may be categorized by its individual data. Through vector method, geometries such
as points and lines can be used to represent objects.
Data
spatial coordinates on the surface of the earth or location data
Geographic
reference
GIS = G + IS
Information
Database
systemof attribute data providing information for decision making.
Remote sensing can be defined as the collection of information about an object, area without
the need of physically having contact with the object and interpreting the collected data. Remote sensing
means sensing things from a distance. Of our live senses, we use three as remote sensors which is sense of
sight, sense of smell and sense of hearing. Aircraft and satellites are the examples of common platforms used
for remote sensing of the earth and its natural resources. In collecting information over a large numbers of
wavelength bands, it is able to produce multispectral or hyper-spectral data. The further development of
unmanned satellites has enhanced the collection of remotely sensed data offering low cost information
obtaining way over large areas. The capacity of remote sensing to identify and monitor land surfaces and
environmental conditions has expanded greatly over the last few years and remotely sensed data will be an
essential tool in natural resource management.
The diagram below shows the flow of data acquisition in remote sensing:
(A) Energy Source or Illumination
(B) Radiation and the Atmosphere
(C) Interaction with the Target
(D) Recording of Energy by the Sensor
(E) Transmission, Reception, and
Processing
(F) Interpretation and Analysis
(G)Application
into GIS to have a complete set of data in many resources application areas. Effective environmental
practice considers the whole spectrum of the environment.
Land and air quality
Vegetation and land-use type
Population density
Jurisdiction boundaries
Urban development
Land features
Hydrographic data
Protection of environment
Water resources management
Urban planning and transportation
3
Watershed management
Terrain characteristic and evaluation
Agriculture
Forestry
Biodiversity and others
Remote sensing
Remote sensing is the acquisition of information via aerial or satellite sensors. Such
information, particularly imagery obtained from satellite platforms, may be of limited value in and of itself.
Aerial photography in the visible portion of the electromagnetic wavelength was the original form of remote
sensing but technological developments has enabled the acquisition of information at other wavelengths
including near infrared, thermal infrared and microwave. Collection of information over a large numbers
of wavelength bands is referred to as multispectral or hyperspectral data. However, when evaluated by
expert analysts, such imagery can reveal or yield important intelligence. That intelligence -- in the form of
analysis -- may then be integrated into geographic information systems (GIS) to produce map-based or
tabular products that are operationally exploitable by emergency managers and decision-makers at all levels
of the response structure.
a. Aerial-Derived Information. This type of information (typically electro-optical photography, but
also including radar, infrared, and multispectral imagery) is obtained from sensors aboard manned and/or
unmanned aircraft. Either commercial or federal sources may be used to provide manned aerial support, as
determined by the needs of the particular situation. Unmanned aerial support is available through military
and commercial sources.
b. Satellite-Derived Information. This type of information (typically electro-optical photography,
but also including radar, infrared, and multispectral imagery) is obtained from sensors aboard geostationary
or orbiting satellites. Generally, commercial or unclassified federal satellites are used to provide imagery
support, although support may be requested from classified National Technical Means (NTM) satellites
under certain conditions.
Capability of Remote Sensing
The development and deployment of manned and unmanned satellites has enhanced the
collection of remotely sensed data and offers an inexpensive way to obtain information over large areas. The
capacity of remote sensing to identify and monitor land surfaces and environmental conditions has expanded
greatly over the last few years and remotely sensed data will be an essential tool in natural resource
management. Remote sensing capabilities are differ according to a wide range of factors, including (but not
limited to) availability, sophistication of collection and measurement systems, type of platform, and data
processing requirements. Specific capabilities are outlined below.
1. Electro-Optical Imagery. Electro-optical (EO) images are, essentially, photographs. EO imagery can be
obtained from satellites, aircraft, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In general, satellite EO imagery is
of much lower spatial resolution than can be obtained from aerial or UAV imagery, but covers a much
larger area. This imagery, although readily subject to lay interpretation, generally yields better
information when exploited by experienced imagery analysts. Projected uses include:
a. Assessing levels and patterns of damage within disaster areas.
b. Assessing scope and extent of debris fields within disaster areas.
c. Monitoring and assessing the extent of flooding.
2. Radar Imagery. Radar (an acronym for Radio Detection and Ranging) provides the capability to
remotely observe surface areas regardless of weather or availability of sunlight. Depending on the
situation and conditions, radar waves can or may be able to penetrate clouds, haze, vegetation, ice, and
extremely dry sand. The terms imaging radar and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) are commonly and
4
synonymously used to describe this capability. Because radar imagery provides less resolution than
electro-optical imagery, interpretation by experienced imagery analysts is highly recommended.
Projected uses include:
a. Assessment of damage to weather-obscured disaster areas.
b. Monitoring and assessing the extent of flooding.
3. Infrared Imagery. Infrared is electromagnetic radiation. Infrared remote sensing instruments function by
sensing infrared radiation (IR) that is naturally emitted or reflected by the Earths surface or from the
atmosphere, or by sensing signals transmitted from, and reflected back to a satellite or aircraft. Since
thermal IR data are based on temperatures rather than visible radiation, the data may be obtained day or
night. Infrared imagery is, compared to other forms of imagery, very low resolution; therefore,
interpretation by experienced imagery analysts is highly recommended. Projected uses include:
a. Determining forest fire or wildfire boundaries, or spot fire flare-ups.
b. Determining power availability based on thermal signatures.
c. Assisting in non-urban search and rescue activities.
4. Multispectral Imagery. Multispectral remote sensing is the process of simultaneously measuring
reflected or emitted energy across a variety of relatively narrow spectral bands, ranging from ultraviolet
to the thermal-infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Multispectral imagery may be collected
by both satellite and airborne sensors, however, when comparing their capabilities, satellite sensors
generally sacrifice spatial resolution for wider area coverage. As with other forms of imagery,
interpretation by experienced imagery analysts is highly recommended to achieve maximum
exploitation. Projected uses include:
a. Detecting pollution in or toxic contamination of water and soil.
b. Assessing the impact of drought on agriculture.
c. Providing a broad indication of flood inundation.
Advantages of Satellite Observation
There are a few of advantages using satellite observation such as it enables to observe a broad
area at a time and enables to observe the area for a long period. Besides that, it can use Time series data and
Change detection to make repeat pass observation. Satellite observation also enables us to know the
condition without visiting the area and to know invisible information. Satellite observation is the sensor for
various electromagnetic spectrums including infrared and microwave.
Figure: The reflected or radiated electromagnetic (EM) waves are received by sensors aboard platform. The
characteristics of reflected or radiated EM waves depend on the type or condition of the objects.
When radiation from the Sun reaches the surface of the Earth, some of the energy at specific
wavelengths is absorbed and the rest of the energy is reflected by the surface material. The only two
exceptions to this situation are if the surface of a body is a perfect reflector or a true black body. The
occurrence of these surfaces in the natural world is very rare. In the visible region of the EM spectrum, the
feature we describe as the color of the object is the visible light that is not absorbed by that object. In the
case of a green leaf, for example, the blue and red wavelengths are absorbed by the leaf, while the green
wavelength is reflected and detected by our eyes.
I incident
A absorption
T transmission
R - reflection
Figure: There are three forms of interaction that can take place when energy strikes, or is incident (I) upon
the surface. These are: absorption (A); transmission (T); and reflection (R).
Figure: The following graph shows the typical reflectance spectra of water, bare soil and two types of
vegetation.
Sensors and Platform
Sensor
6
A sensor is a device that measures and records electromagnetic energy. Sensors can be
divided into two groups. Passive sensors depend on an external source of energy, usually the sun. The most
common passive sensor is the photographic camera. Active sensors have their own source of energy, an
example would be a radar gun. These sensors send out a signal and measure the amount reflected back.
Active sensors are more controlled because they do not depend upon varying illumination conditions.
(B)
(A)
Figure : (A) shows the passive sensor and (B) shows active sensor
Platforms
Aerial photography has been used in agricultural and natural resource management for many
years. These photographs can be black and white, color, or color infrared. Depending on the camera, lens,
and flying height these images can have a variety of scales. Photographs can be used to determine spatial
arrangement of fields, irrigation ditches, roads, and other features or they can be used to view individual
features within a field.
Figure. Platforms
Optical
Visible
Reflectance
Near infrared
Reflectance
Thermal infrared
Thermal Radiation
Microwave
Passive
Microwave Radiation
(Scatterometer)
Active
(SAR, Backscatter
Altimeter)
Laser
Active
Intensity, Time
Figure. This table shows the types of sensor
Every material on earth shows its own strength of reflection in each wavelength when it is
exposed to the EM waves. Sensors aboard a platform are capable to acquire the strength of reflection and
radiation in each wavelength.
7
Figure. Strength of reflection and radiation of EM waves from plants, earth and water in each wavelength.
Process of Remote Sensing
divided into seven different regions gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet, visible light, infrared,
microwaves and radio waves.
Figure - A fundamental descriptive feature of a waveform is its wavelength, or distance between succeeding
peaks or troughs.
10
Figure 1. Veale Gardens in the Adelaide Parklands: (a) satellite image of the Adelaide
Parklands, (b) mix of vegetation types in Veale Gardens, (c) satellite image of Veale Gardens.
11