Remote sensing of land degradation: experiences from Latin America and the Caribbean.

摘要: Land degradation caused by deforestation, overgrazing, and inappropriate irrigation practices affects about 16% of Latin America the Caribbean (LAC). This paper addresses issues related to application remote sensing technologies for identification mapping land features, with special attention LAC region. The contribution is analyzed from compilation a large set research papers published between 1980s 2009, dealing water wind erosion, salinization, changes vegetation cover. analysis undertaken found that Landsat series (MSS, TM, ETM+) are most commonly used data source (49% report their use), followed aerial photographs (39%), microwave (ERS, JERS-1, Radarsat) (27%). About 43% works use multi-scale, multi-sensor, multi-spectral approaches degraded areas, combination visual interpretation advanced image processing techniques. more expensive hyperspectral and/or very high spatial resolution sensors like AVIRIS, Hyperion, SPOT-5, IKONOS tends be limited small surface areas. key issue indicators can directly or indirectly help recognize features in visible, infrared, regions electromagnetic spectrum discussed. Factors considered when selecting establishing baselines include, among others, scale, spectral characteristics sensors, time acquisition. validation methods assess accuracy maps produced satellite discussed as well.