Adia S.O^a, Rabiu A. B (Phd)^b
aDepartment of Meteorology, Federal University Of Technology, Akure Ondo State
^bSpace Physics Lab, Physics Department Federal University of Technology, Akure Ondo State

Abstract
Remote sensing technology in combination with geographic information system (GIS) can render reliable information on vegetation cover. The analysis of the spatial extent and temporal change of vegetation cover using remotely sensed data is of critical importance to agricultural sciences.

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Gudrun Wallentin
Austrian Academy of Sciences
Research Unit for Geographic Information Science
Salzburg, Austria
gudrun.wallentin@oeaw.ac.at

Abstract
In recent years, airborne LiDAR instruments have become increasingly popular in forest applications. However, due to sensor characteristics as well as feature extraction algorithms, we hypothesise that spatial tree pattern in remotely sensed forest inventories differ depending on the method used. These potential biases in the location and distribution of trees are particularly relevant for data fusion of optical and LiDAR data, for comparing forest inventories as well as for the interpretation of horizontal forest structures.

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P. K. Patanjali
Central Soil & Water Conservation Training & Research Institute (ICAR), Dehradun

P. K. Joshi & K. K. Das
Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (NRSA), Dehradun

1. Introduction
So long as the earth preserves her forests and wildlife, man’s progeny will continue to exist. This is the Hindu approach towards conservation of ecology (Upanishads). Human beings use natural resources available on earth such as land, water, vegetation, minerals and many others to make a living and to shape their culture.

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Affendi Suhaili
Forest Operations Branch, Forest Department Sarawak,

Ainuddin, N.A.
Faculty of Forestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), 43400 Serdang,

Shafri, H.Z.M.
Geomatics Unit,
Department of Civil Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), 43400 Serdang,

Abstract
In forestry operations, the increase in dimensionality of current remote sensing data sets has provided both opportunities and challenges to the users. The use of a rule based or decision tree (DT) classifier offers an alternative approach by focusing on fewer classes and obtaining different features and decision rules at each stage. In this study, the performance of DT models which were derived from classification rules using four different hyperspectral data sets were evaluated for mapping the species compositions of a tropical forest canopy. Our results showed that the amount of useful information that was contained in such data sets would certainly improve the performance of the model (up to 69% classification accuracy) and produce a less complex tree structure. In addition the decision rules were also able to highlight the relative importance of the spectral feature variables in the hyperspectral data.

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Yousif Ali Hussin Mahfud M. Zuhair Michael Weir
Forest Science Division
International Institute for Aerospace Survey and Earth Science (ITC)

Abstract
Mangrove forests form one of the primary coastal ecosystems in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Mangrove ecosystems are very sensitive and fragile. The pressures of increasing population, and the resulting expansion of agriculture and industrial and urban development, have caused a significant proportion of the world’s mangroves to be destroyed. Reliable and timely information is therefore required in order to monitor and manage the remaining mangrove resources. This paper describes research to compare the ability of three different radar satellite imaging systems and three different optical satellite systems to detect mangrove deforestation in the delta of the Mahakam River, East Kalimantan, Indonesia.

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Kiyoo Kamiyama*, Shiro Ochi*, and Ryosuke Shibasaki*
Center for Spatial Information Science and Institute of Industrial Science
University of Tokyo
4-6-1, Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 106-8505, Japan
Tel : +81-3-5452-6417 Fax: +81-3-5452-6417

Abstract
In 21th century, food problem may become much more serious due to the increasing world population. The number of nations importing grains continues to grow steadily. Since water resource is done of the most important limiting factor, quantitative analysis of available water resource is necessary to evaluate the potential growth of agricultural productivity that is enhanced by irrigation system.

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Using NASA satellite data, scientists have produced a first-of-its kind map that details the height of the world’s forests. Although there are other local- and regional-scale forest canopy maps, the new map is the first that spans the entire globe based on one uniform method.

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Dao Huy Giap Yang Yi (Asian Institute of Technology)

Nguyen Xuan Cuong and Le Thanh Luu (Research Institute for Aquaculture, Tu Son, Bac Ninh)

James S. Diana, C. Kwei Lin (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA)

Introduction
A large number of watershed ponds and reservoirs have been constructed mostly for household water supply and crop irrigation in mountainous areas of central and northern Vietnam. Occasionally, these ponds are also used for fish culture. Thai Nguyen district, situated approximately 100 km north of Hanoi, is a population center serving as a gateway to northern Vietnam.

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F. Hoseinali and M.A. Rajabi

Department of Geomatics Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract:
Forest Fire is a natural phenomenon. It is part of the nitrogen cycle and it helps forests to grow healthy. However, “wildfire” is a huge and out of control fire which destroys human wealth and therefore, it is kind of disaster. The very first strategy to defend the forests against wildfire is to avoid it. So fire risk maps are produced and even prescribed burning is done.

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by Reene Grossman and Amy L. Forrester

The Earth is constantly under observation from dozens of satellites orbiting the planet and collecting data. They are engaged in something called “remote sensing”: the act of obtaining information about something without being in direct contact with it.

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