A. Remote sensing applications
35. Application of remote-sensing technology (China). In
agriculture, LANDSAT MSS images have been utilised in agriculture to compile
geological maps, and to investigate changes in the acreage of the Yellow River
Delta, and migration of river channels, etc.
36. Use of remote-sensing technology in forestry (Thailand).
The Royal Forest Department of Thailand has utilised LANDSAT imagery for
surveying existing forest land for the whole country, surveying and assessing
areas of shifting cultivation in Northern Thailand and for conducting a change
detection study of forest conversion in the seven eastern provinces of the
country. Other studies done by means of remote-sensing techniques in Thailand
include the measurement of rubber plantations in the eastern and southern parts
of the country.
The use of remote sensing techniques reduced the time and
personnel required for forest surveys and made it possible to draw up policies
and plans for forest conservation and protection.
In the future, remote sensing would be used to monitor the
country’s forest resources on a routine basis, in view of the government
policy to maintain 50 per cent of the country under forests.28
37. Crop inventory applications of remote sensing
(Bangladesh). In Bangladesh remote-sensing techniques were used to measure
the extent of winter rice in some regions. When the results of remote sensing
were compared with field estimates a high correlation was found to
exist.29
38. Soilmapping by remote sensing (Egypt). Remote sensing
techniques were used for mapping soils of an area over 100,000 square kilometres
in El Shazly in Egypt. The maps obtained were at a scale of 1:500,000 and
analysis differentiated arable from non-arable land. The soils were classified
further into seven grades. This basic soil classification enables priority areas
for agricultural development to be identified.30
39. Detection of areas of copper deposits (Pakistan). A
rock classification map, derived from LANDSAT images over Pakistan, has been
used to predict copper deposits in the country. Of the 19 sites chosen from the
map, five were found to have evidence of surface mineralization indicating the
possibility of an enriched copper zone below the surface.31
40. Identification of salt-affected soils (India). A
study in India has succeeded in delineating salt-affected soils around the
Ganges Plain area. Salt-affected soils were easily detected in the MSS bands
four and five. This information is important in an attempt to reclaim soils for
agriculture in areas where population pressures make this
necessary.32
41. IDRC remote sensing project (Sudan, Bolivia, Bangladesh,
Mali and United Republic of Tanzania).33 In the Sudan project,
personnel was trained, a remote-sensing unit was set up and thematic maps of the
surface water hydrology, soils and erosion, vegetation and soil use in parts of
the Kordofan and White Nile provinces were obtained.
In Bolivia, a series of thematic maps on geology, soils and soil
use was produced. This was compiled in the form of an atlas entitled “Area
Desaguadero Procesamiento Digital de Datos Multispectrales”. In addition a
training programme on remote-sensing techniques was undertaken.
The Bangladesh project also had a training component and
involved production of thematic maps by computers. Coloured LANDSAT images were
analysed to produce hydrological maps of the hydrology of the Ganges Basin.
In Mali, a large number of maps on geology, hydrography, soil
use, forest cover and agricultural potential in the south western part of the
country were produced.
The main purpose of the project in Tanzania was to assess the
natural resources in the Rukwa region. Maps outlining the biophysical zones of
the Sumbawanga and Mpanda districts, and the agricultural potential of the
entire region (for crops such as rice, corn, tobacco and cotton) were produced.
Details on the geology, accessibility and irrigation possibilities were also
obtained.
