Remote Sensing for Environmental Sciences

This course offers the basic theories in the field of remote sensing, starting from the information needs of various land applications. It is directed at providing a basic knowledge of remote sensing concepts and methods: recording techniques in the optical and microwave region, image construction, geometric and atmospheric correction procedures and the subsequent quality of images. As a next step, image classification and validation are dealt with. The estimation of biophysical object properties is treated using spectral and radar backscatter indices and time series analysis. Throughout the course attention is paid to the possibilities and limitations of remote sensing from airplanes, drones and satellites as a source of information for the inventory and monitoring in the fields of agriculture, forestry, land use, agro-hydrology, nature conservation and other environmental issues. Hands-on skills for handling remote sensing data are central in the practical exercises.