What sets 21st Century Ecology apart?

Scientists are generally aware of the utility remote sensing can provide in social investigation; as physical changes in urban populations and natural ecosystems can be viewed over time through aerial or satellite imagery (Eigenbrod et al., 2010). Yet many remain unaware of the byzantine process required to translate photographs of the Earth into accurate, scientific or economic information that is readily applied to policy-making processes (Barbosa et al., 2015).

Moreover, capabilities are becoming more specialized and inexpensive due to investment and development in sensor and computer processing technology (Kennedy et al., 2009). Indeed, distilling the key technical concepts from a remote sensing study or application can be challenging for a non-expert. However, 21st Century Ecology has the extensive experience and education to bridge this gap. While most environmental remote sensing reviews focus on evaluating sensor types and analytical methods for quantification or change detection, few elaborate on how results may be applied in long-term management goals; specifically, the relevant capabilities, assumptions, and constraints required to understand what long-term monitoring capability is feasible (Kennedy et al. 2009). Again, crafting clear environmental policy and organizational decision making based on a scientific underpinning is what we do best.

Why is measuring the environment important and how can remote sensing technology add value?

When all the benefits derived from the environment are not entirely or accurately represented in economic transactions, then ecosystem changes that impact the health and well-being of society arise. Thus, there exists unmet opportunities to expand our ability to both capture and better understand these values (Barbosa et al., 2015; People and Pixels, 1998). As the UN’s Millennium Ecosystem Assessment concludes, failing to do so could result in declines in resource environment supplies and quantities, and subsequently in social welfare. Mankind’s largest impacts on the ecosystem result from ever-growing demands for food, water, timber, fiber, and fuel (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005).

Remote sensing technologies can bolster the economic analyses and the subsequent policies needed to sustain these needs by providing more frequent, accurate, and comprehensive information representing the values that the environment bestows (Brouwer et al., 2015; Freeman et al., 2014). For decades remote sensing has offered unique advantages over traditional natural-resource mensuration: the ability to cover large areas, acquire multiple captures over time, allow for precise measurements, and ultimately provide valuable information for studying mankind’s interaction with the environment (People and Pixels, 1998). There is demonstrated value for remote sensing technology to enhance natural resource management, and many opportunities continue being experimented and explored (Casu et al., 2017; Wang, 2013; Rindfuss et al., 2012).