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Thermal Remote Sensing: A Powerful Tool in the Characterization of Landscapes on a Functional BasisThermal remote sensing instruments can function as environmental measuring tools, with capabilities leading toward new directions in functional landscape ecology. Theoretical deduction and phenomenological observation leads us to believe that the second law of thermodynamics requires that all dynamically systems develop in a manner which dissipates gradients as rapidly as possible within the constraints of the system at hand. The ramification of this requirement is that dynamical systems will evolve dissipative structures which grow and complexify over time. This perspective has allowed us to develop a framework for discussing ecosystem development and integrity. In the context of this framework we have developed measures of development and integrity for ecosystems. One set of these measures is based on destruction of the exergy content of incoming solar energy. More developed ecosystems will be more effective at dissipating the solar gradient (destroying its exergy content). This can be measured by the effective surface temperature of the ecosystem on a landscape scale. These surface temperatures are measured using airborne thermal scanners such as the Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner (TIMS) and the Airborne Thermal/Visible Land Application Sensor(ATLAS) sensors. An analysis of agriculture and forest ecosystems will be used to illustrate the concept of ecological thermodynamics and the development of ecosystems.
Document ID
20000013280
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Jeffrey, Luvall C.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Kay, James
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Fraser, Roydon
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1999
Subject Category
Earth Resources And Remote Sensing
Meeting Information
Meeting: 1999 National Remote Sensing Applications Conference and Workshop
Location: Auburn, AL
Country: United States
Start Date: November 15, 1999
End Date: November 17, 1999
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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