rEMOTE SENSING TO MAP THE ARCHIPELAGO - HOW DOES IT WORK?
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Written by: Pirta Palola
Published: 1 April 2025 Remote sensing is the detection of objects from distance using electromagnetic radiation. Optical sensors are used to detect the electromagnetic spectrum, including light not visible to the human eye. These sensors can be mounted on satellites or drones to collect data over large areas. Spectral data provides a rich source of information. For example, on land, the spectrum of vegetation changes depending on its water content. At sea, water color changes depending on the abundance of algae. Thus, spectral data can be used to monitor drought stress in forests or harmful algal blooms in coastal waters. In the Island Microbiome project, remote sensing using satellites and drones allows us to map environmental conditions across entire archipelagos. |
Mapping the coastal environment: field work in Tetiaroa, South Pacific, in 2022.
Photo by Melissa Ward.
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Collecting spectral data on the ground supports the development of more accurate remote sensing algorithms. During our expeditions, we plan to collect optical data and contribute towards an open-source spectral library of key habitat-forming species on land and at sea.
