Remote Sensing for Water Resources and Environmental Management

Overview & Synopsis

Despite the fact that water resources are critical for sustaining life on Earth, the increase in human population, coupled with global environmental change, has exerted pressure on the finite resource. Water scarcity arising from rapid population growth, droughts, erratic rainfall, overexploitation, and increased pollution threatens the supply of water of sufficient quality and quantity to meet the global water demand. Fortunately, the increase in readily available remotely sensed data with improved sensing characteristics, as well as accompanying advancements in geospatial modeling techniques in recent years, provides scientists with indispensable tools for not only monitoring and assessing the state of water resources but also the environment at various spatial scales. This Special Issue focused on innovative and practical applications of cutting-edge remote sensing and modeling techniques on water resources and environmental management. Papers applying remote sensing in assessing and monitoring freshwater quality, quantity, and management to ensure water security were welcome. Themes considered in the Special Issue include but are not limited to applications of remote sensing and attendant development of geospatial techniques that can be used to detect, quantify, and monitor freshwater resources, as well as identify potential threats to this resource.