Exploring the Earth From Afar: Remote Sensing and GIS in Environmental Monitoring and Management

Abstract

With environmental concerns on the rise, the integration of modern technology with environmental sciences provides large scale and effective monitoring of the natural resources. This chapter aims to provide the basic understanding about Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), thereby exploring, in depth, the applications of RS and GIS in environmental monitoring. It provides a comprehensive overview of the principles, methodologies, and applications of RS and GIS in environmental monitoring, and offers insights into the practical implementation of these technologies across diverse environmental contexts. Recognizing the interdisciplinary nature of environmental monitoring, the chapter explores the integration of technology with other scientific disciplines like ecology, hydrology, climatology, biodiversity conservation, and disaster management. The chapter also covers a case study on “Decadal Vegetation Cover Change Study in the Forest Near Sandstone Mines in Shankargarh, Prayagraj, India”, which dives into the impact of sandstone mining on the vegetation cover of nearby forest.