MADDA WALABU UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF COMPUTING

DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

REMOTE SENSING AND GIS APPLICATIONS IN

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCESGOOGLE DOCUMENT
REVIEW
GIS GROUP ASSIGNMENT

BY

NAME ID. NO.

1. ASHENAFI ABERA…………UGR/21237/13
2. NEBIYU MATHEWOS……..UGR/22344/13
3. EYERUSALEM ELIYAS…...UGR/24319/13
4. ESAYAS ISRAEAL………….UGR/24304/13
5. LELISTU JIREGNA………..UGR/24574/13

SUBMITTED TO: MR. ADUGNAWU

Robe, Ethiopia

Jan 6 2016 E.C

 REMOTE SENSING AND GIS APPLICATIONS IN
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

The document titled "Remote Sensing and GIS Applications in Environmental Sciences - A
Review" discusses the significance and applications of remote sensing and Geographic
Information System (GIS) in environmental mapping and management. It was authored by S.
Senthil Kumar, S. Arivazhagan, and N. Rangarajan.

The abstract highlights the role of remote sensing and GIS in various fields such as mineral
exploration, agriculture, forestry, geology, water, and disaster management. It emphasizes the
availability of high-resolution satellite data and their increasing applications. The paper focuses
on the applications of remote sensing and GIS in specific environmental issues, including mining
environment, urban environment, coastal and marine environment, and wasteland environment.

The introduction section provides an overview of the environment and the impact of human
activities on it. It mentions the global environmental challenges faced by humanity and the need
for integrated approaches to environmental conservation. The section also emphasizes the
importance of data collection and environmental impact studies for developmental projects.

The document further discusses the applications of remote sensing and GIS in environmental
studies, including the mapping of land surface changes, water quality, soil, atmosphere, and the
distribution of plant and animal species. It highlights the use of satellite imagery and the
interpretation of Landsat TM images for environmental analysis.

The concepts of remote sensing and multispectral remote sensing are explained. Remote sensing
is described as the acquisition of information about objects or phenomena without physical
contact, using electromagnetic radiation. Multispectral remote sensing involves the acquisition of
images in multiple wavelengths to differentiate land surfaces based on their spectral reflectance.

The document also introduces hyperspectral remote sensing, which offers high spectral
resolution and allows for direct identification of materials based on their reflectance
characteristics. It mentions the advantages of hyperspectral data in identifying specific minerals,
rocks, soils, and vegetation.
Geographic Information System (GIS) is defined as a tool for collecting, storing, analyzing, and
visualizing geographically referenced information. GIS is highlighted as a valuable tool for
various applications in environmental sciences.

Here are some additional details about the content of the document:

 The document emphasizes the importance of remote sensing and GIS in addressing
environmental challenges at different scales, from local to regional and global levels. It
mentions that human activities have a significant impact on the Earth's systems, leading
to global climate change, biodiversity loss, and unsustainable development.
 The authors highlight the role of remote sensing and GIS in environmental mapping and
monitoring. They mention that these technologies provide valuable information for
activities such as mineral exploration, infrastructure planning, disaster mitigation, and
management.
 The paper specifically discusses the applications of remote sensing and GIS in various
environmental contexts. It highlights the use of these technologies in analyzing and
managing mining environments, urban environments, coastal and marine environments,
and wasteland environments.
 The authors mention the availability of high-resolution satellite data, which enables
detailed analysis and monitoring of environmental features. They note that remote
sensing data, such as aerial photographs and satellite imagery, can be used to identify and
study environmental changes over time.
 The document discusses the integration of remote sensing and GIS for studying different
aspects of the environment, including land surface changes, water quality, soil conditions,
and atmospheric parameters. It mentions that these technologies have been successfully
applied to map plant and animal species, ecosystems, landscapes, and factors influencing
invasions.
 The document explains the concept of multispectral remote sensing, which involves
acquiring images of the Earth's surface simultaneously in multiple wavelengths. It
highlights that different materials reflect and absorb light differently at different
wavelengths, allowing for the classification and identification of land surfaces based on
their spectral reflectance.
  The authors introduce the concept of hyperspectral remote sensing, which offers even
higher spectral resolution than multispectral remote sensing. They mention that
hyperspectral data can provide more detailed information about specific materials, such
as minerals, rocks, soils, and vegetation, based on their unique spectral signatures.
 The document defines GIS as a powerful tool for collecting, storing, analyzing, and
visualizing geographically referenced information. It mentions that GIS is widely used in
environmental sciences for spatial analysis, modeling, and decision-making.

Overall, the document provides a comprehensive review of the applications of remote sensing
and GIS in environmental sciences, highlighting their role in understanding, monitoring, and
managing various environmental issues. It emphasizes the importance of these technologies in
supporting sustainable development and environmental conservation efforts.