Technological advancement has brought new methods and tools to curb the deforestation issue. One of the greatest tools that can be used in this field is remote sensing. Remote sensing is a modern tool that can monitor the area by examining its radiations. These radiations are then used to conclude. In the fight for deforestation, remote sensing has played a vital role as it is used to achieve various goals.
Some of the applications of remote sensing techniques in deforestation are:
1. Change Detection
Special tools (cameras) and satellites are used in remote sensing techniques to collect the data. The collected data can then be used to detect any changes within the study area. The sensed data initiate the process of controlling and addressing the deforestation menace.
2. Mapping of cleared areas
Satellite data can be used to analyze and show areas that were forested and now are not. The satellite images come in different colors that have different meanings. For example, the Red-color shows areas that were forested before and now are bare soils. This sensed data could be used to initiate the re-cultivation process, hence controlling deforestation.
3. Analyzing Rate of Deforestation
Remote sensors play a vital role in the process of analyzing the rate of deforestation. Some areas are difficult to visit, and this poses a great challenge in collecting data for analysis. With the introduction of Remote sensing technology, the process of collecting and analyzing deforestation data has been eased. This technique involves airborne tools, and thus it can be used in all areas.
4. Examining Burned areas
Forest burns greatly contribute to deforestation. In most cases, forest burns can happen and go unnoticed. This leads to a reduction in the number of trees in the forest. However, with remote sensing technology, Forest burns can easily be noticed. This helps to solve the problem of deforestation.
5. Source of information
In many areas and countries, deforestation is highly discouraged. To prevent deforestation cases, the government and other weather officials employ the technique of remote sensing to monitor areas that are affected by deforestation. Since it uses airborne tools, the areas can be monitored at any time.
6. Updating forest inventories
Forest inventories contain information about the existing data concerning forests. However, numerous changes occur to the forest, and thus there’s a need to update the inventory from time to time. Deforestation, for example, is one of the greatest changes that alter the existing information in the inventory. Therefore, to change the records, remote sensing tools are used to take an image of the environment, and these data are used to make changes in the inventory report.
7. Re-cultivation process
The re-cultivation process is a measure to curb the deforestation menace. It is the planting of trees where they were original. This process employs the remote sensing technique in identifying areas affected by deforestation and the progress of the re-cultivation process. The technique plays a major role in monitoring the cultivated trees.
Therefore, the Remote sensing technique has improved the forestry sector and helped in reducing the rates of deforestation.
