Remote Sensing of Water Environments

Remote sensing approaches in freshwater research and management have proliferated rapidly in the last decade. Technological advances have made it more feasible and cost-effective to use these techniques in basic and applied science. Satellite-based imagery is higher in spatial, temporal, and spectral resolution and is now widely available at little or no cost, making it accessible to a broad range of scientists and practitioners. High-resolution topographic data from light detection and ranging (lidar) is rapidly replacing photogrammetrically derived topographic maps throughout much of the world. Dramatic increases in the stability, ease of use, and affordability of drones mounted with compact imagers in visible, near infrared, and thermal bands is revolutionizing spatial analysis of freshwaters. These new tools and approaches make it possible to address scientific questions and management challenges that were beyond the reach of water resources professionals in the past. Moreover, the ability to visualize spatial patterns in freshwater environments and how they change over time has led to a whole new way of perceiving water environments as “riverscapes”. This collection highlights WIREs Water articles that contribute to this rapidly advancing area of analysis and application.