Integration of GIS and Remote Sensing

In an age of unprecedented proliferation of data from disparate sources the urgency is to create efficient methodologies that can optimise data combinations and at the same time solve increasingly complex application problems. Integration of GIS and Remote Sensing explores the tremendous potential that lies along the interface between GIS and remote sensing for activating interoperable databases and instigating information interchange. It concentrates on the rigorous and meticulous aspects of analytical data matching and thematic compatibility - the true roots of all branches of GIS/remote sensing applications. However closer harmonization is tempered by numerous technical and institutional issues, including scale incompatibility, measurement disparities, and the inescapable notion that data from GIS and remote sensing essentially represent diametrically opposing conceptual views of reality. The first part of the book defines and characterises GIS and remote sensing and presents the reader with an awareness of the many scale, taxonomical and analytical problems when attempting integration. The second part of the book moves on to demonstrate the benefits and costs of integration across a number of human and environmental applications. This book is an invaluable reference for students and professionals dealing not only with GIS and remote sensing, but also computer science, civil engineering, environmental science and urban planning within the academic, governmental and commercial/business sectors.

In an age of unprecedented proliferation of data from disparatesources the urgency is to create efficient methodologies that canoptimise data combinations and at the same time solve increasinglycomplex application problems. Integration of GIS and RemoteSensing explores the tremendous potential that lies alongthe interface between GIS and remote sensing for activatinginteroperable databases and instigating information interchange. Itconcentrates on the rigorous and meticulous aspects of analyticaldata matching and thematic compatibility - the true roots of allbranches of GIS/remote sensing applications. However closerharmonization is tempered by numerous technical and institutionalissues, including scale incompatibility, measurement disparitiesand the inescapable notion that data from GIS and remote sensingessentially represent diametrically opposing conceptual views ofreality.The first part of the book defines and characterises GIS andremote sensing and presents the reader with an awareness of themany scale, taxonomical and analytical problems when attemptingintegration. The second part of the book moves on to demonstratethe benefits and costs of integration across a number of human andenvironmental applications.This book is an invaluable reference for students andprofessionals dealing not only with GIS and remote sensing, butalso computer science, civil engineering, environmental science andurban planning within the academic, governmental andcommercial/business sectors.