Resource and Environmental Monitoring

Terms of Reference

• Methodology of visual image interpretation
• Methodology of computer-aided analysis of sensor data
• Spectral, spatial and temporal radiation properties of objects
• Environmental studies, resources inventories, and interpretative aspects of thematic mapping as applied in studies of vegetation, forestry, agriculture, soils, land and water use, geology, geomorphology, hydrology, oceanography, coastal zones, snow and ice, atmospheric sciences, archaeology, human settlements and engineering
• Integration of remote sensing and GIS techniques for the monitoring of resources and environment

WORKING GROUPS of ISPRS COMMISSION VII

• WG VII/1 - Fundamental Physics and Modelling
• WG VII/2 - Application of Remote Sensing and GIS for Sustainable Development
• WG VII/3 - Thematic Applications of High Spatial Resolution Satellite Imagery
• WG VII/4 - Computer Assisted Image Interpretation and Analysis
• WG VII/5 - Global Monitoring
• WG VII/6 - Radar Applications
• WG VII/7 - Non-Renewable Resources and Geotechnical Applications

WG VII/1 - Fundamental Physics and Modelling

WG VII/1  Terms of Reference

• Physical measurements and modelling related to remote sensing
• Studies of spectral measurements and calibration at different spatial scales
• Standardisation and harmonisation of experimental methods and procedures in remote sensing
• Remote sensing of minor constituents of the atmosphere
• Spectral, spatial and temporal radiation and polarisation properties of objects

WG VII/2 - Application of Remote Sensing and GIS for Sustainable Development

WG VII/2  Terms of Reference

• Development of concepts for sustainability indicators
• Promotion of applications in environmental and natural resource management
• Monitoring and assessment of environmental hazards and disasters
• Monitoring environmental changes including socio-economic factors

WG VII/3 - Thematic Applications of High Spatial Resolution Satellite Imagery

WG VII/3  Terms of Reference

• Data integration for urban planning and management
• Applications for improved rural management, including precision farming
• Support of local environmental impact studies

WG VII/4 - Computer Assisted Image Interpretation and Analysis

WG VII/4  Terms of Reference

• Integration of remote sensing with geospatial data
• Multi-spectral, multi-resolution, and multi-sensor data for image interpretation
• Knowledge encapsulation for purposes of automatic image analysis
• Investigation of performance of advanced classification techniques

WG VII/5 - Global Monitoring

WG VII/5  Terms of Reference

• Identification of the remote sensing data requirements for models to support global change studies
• Seek affiliations with organisations and programs involved in global change studies such as the IGBP/HDP (International Geosphere Biosphere Program/Human Dimension Program) programs for: land use cover change (LUCC); biospheric aspects of the hydrological cycle (BAHC); global change and terrestrial ecosystems (GCTE); International global change atmospheric chemistry program (IGAC); global terrestrial observing system (GTOS); and global ocean observing system (GOOS)
• Modelling of global change processes from long term data and indicators
• Collaboration with WG IV/6 ('Global Databases and Monitoring')

WG VII/6 - Radar Applications

WG VII/6  Terms of Reference

• Extension of the use of multi-wavelength and multi-polarimetric radar data in investigations on earth surface characteristics and environmental analysis
• Provision of information on, and assessment of the suitability of, airborne and satellite radar systems for earth surface analysis
• Development of case studies of applications of radar data in: land cover classification; biomass estimation; forest inventory; wetland mapping; agricultural crop monitoring; urban analysis; and sea state conditions
• Provision of a network for collaboration between researchers involved in developing radar models from backscatter information, capable of predicting selected geophysical parameters such as soil moisture and biomass
• Investigation of the potential of applications of combined radar and optical data

WG VII/7 - Non-Renewable Resources and Geotechnical Applications

WG VII/7  Terms of Reference

• Application of remote sensing digital image processing and analysis techniques, to mineral and petroleum exploration, geotechnical and geological applications
• Use of high spectral resolution sensor data from aerial photography and satellite sensors for earth resource surveys, with special emphasis on mineral classification and geotechnical characterisation of rocks and soils
• Multi-data integration, including geophysical images.