Quantitative Remote Sensing of Land Surfaces [Hardcover]

Shunlin Liang (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471281662 | ISBN-13: 978-0471281665 | Publication Date: December 15, 2003 | Edition: 1

Processing the vast amounts of data on the Earth's land surface environment generated by NASA's and other international satellite programs is a significant challenge. Filling a gap between the theoretical, physically-based modelling and specific applications, this in-depth study presents practical quantitative algorithms for estimating various land surface variables from remotely sensed observations.
A concise review of the basic principles of optical remote sensing as well as practical algorithms for estimating land surface variables quantitatively from remotely sensed observations.
Emphasizes both the basic principles of optical remote sensing and practical algorithms for estimating land surface variables quantitatively from remotely sensed observations
Presents the current physical understanding of remote sensing as a system with a focus on radiative transfer modelling of the atmosphere, canopy, soil and snow
Gathers the state of the art quantitative algorithms for sensor calibration, atmospheric and topographic correction, estimation of a variety of biophysical and geoph ysical variables, and four-dimensional data assimilation

Editorial Reviews

Review

“…a well-researched book that the environmental modelling community will find an indispensable reference.” (Progress in Physical Geography, Vol.29, No.1, 2005)

“…extremely well produced, with good layout, clear type, a useful list of acronyms and a comprehensive index…timely and refreshing...” (The Photogrammetric Record, December 2004)

"This volume a very useful and practical addition to the literature on remote sensing.” (E-STREAMS, August 2004)

From the Back Cover

A comprehensive resource of basic principles and practical algorithms

Remote sensing of land surfaces has entered a new era. A series of operating satellites from the NASA Earth Observing System (EOS) program, other international programs, and commercial programs are producing tremendous volumes of data at significantly higher levels of measurement precision. In order to effectively interpret the data and estimate Earth surface variables, scientists require ever more sophisticated and targeted quantitative algorithms. Quantitative Remote Sensing of Land Surfaces fills this reference need, connecting theoretical, physically based modeling to specific applications.

Shunlin Liang divides his much-needed resource into two parts. The first presents the current understanding of optical remote sensing with an emphasis on radiative transfer modeling of the atmosphere, canopy, soil, and snow. The second, greater part of the text, discusses a variety of practical algorithms for estimating land surface variables quantitatively. It includes state-of-the-art quantitative algorithms for:

• Sensor calibration
• Atmospheric and topographic correction
• Estimation of a variety of biophysical and geophysical variables
• Four-dimensional data assimilation

The book cites more than 1,300 references, and the companion CD-ROM includes useful computer program codes and valuable data sets. The author assumes no special mathematical background beyond a good working knowledge of statistics, calculus, and linear algebra on an undergraduate level.

Graduate students as well as practitioners of interdisciplinary research on the Earth’s land surface environment will find Quantitative Remote Sensing of Land Surfaces to be a peerless addition to the professional literature.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 560 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Interscience; 1 edition (December 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471281662
• ISBN-13: 978-0471281665
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,320,100 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.