ASSIGNMENT TOPIC: ADVANTAGES AND

LIMITATION OF REMOTE SENSING

SUBMITTED
BY
RADHA JAIN
MSc. 1st SEM
ENROLL NO. – A903138024002
INTRODUCTION
Remote sensing provides information about objects at or near the surface of the Earth and
atmosphere based on radiation reflected or emitted from those objects. The information is usually
captured at a distance from above in the form of image data. Such data allow us to determine the
composition and nature of the Earth’s surface and atmosphere from local to global scales, and
assess changes by analysing images captured at different points in time. In this sense, remote
sensing is useful in providing spatial information that is otherwise difficult or impossible to obtain.
In the social sciences remote sensing is useful for visualizing (providing alternative and synoptic
views) and classifying human environments. Social science researchers commonly integrate
remotely sensed data or its derivatives with other socioeconomic data sets within geographic
information systems (GIS) to conduct spatial analyses.

There are two types of remote sensing, active remote sensing and passive remote sensing, and they
are generally used for different applications.

1. Active remote sensing: It involves sending out a signal and waiting for its return to the
sensor. RADAR and LIDAR are examples of active remote sensing, as they send out
 energy, microwave and laser pulses respectively, and record the signals as they bounce
back (Derr & Little, 1970). Since this effectively measures the distance between the sensor
and the target, one of the major uses of active remote sensing is to generate three-
dimensional models of surfaces and elevation. RADAR remote sensing also has the
advantage that it passes through cloud cover, allowing for imaging even in cloudy
atmospheric conditions (ESA Earthnet Online, 2014).

2. Passive Remote Sensing: This does not send out a signal to be returned; rather, it records
information using energy already present in the environment. This means that passive
imagery is generally collected during the day, when the sun provides plenty of incoming
radiation to reflect off the Earth’s surface. This type of remote sensing can be in the form
of aerial photographs, but like the active approaches, it can go beyond what we think of as
pictures. One of the most powerful elements of remotely sensed imagery is that it lets us
see information outside the visible spectrum. Human eyes can see only a narrow portion of
the electromagnetic radiation (EMR) spectrum, but wavelengths that fall outside our range
of vision can tell us a great deal about the natural world.
Using information from multiple bands of the EMR spectrum, remotely sensed imagery can help
us to identify objects and materials on the surface of the Earth. Every material will respond
uniquely to incoming solar radiation, absorbing, transmitting, and reflecting EMR in differing
amounts depending on the physical properties of that material and the incoming radiation’s
wavelength.

ADVANTAGES OF REMOTE SENSING

1. Aspects of Feasibility: Because ground surveys are inaccessible in many parts of the
terrain, remote sensing is the only scientific method for data collection.
2. Time Saving: Remote sensing saves time and manpower because it can cover a larger area.
3. Unobtrusiveness: The area of interest is not disturbed if the remote sensors collect
information passively by recording the electromagnetic energy reflected or emitted by the
ground object. It also ensures that information is collected in its natural state.
4. Gives real-time data: Remote sensing uses technology to measure certain characteristics of
the environment without physically going to those locations. A sensor measures the amount
of radiation (light) reflected off a surface or emitted by a substance. The information
gathered by remote sensors is then processed and interpreted to determine what the object
being measured is. Remote sensing provides valuable information about the condition of
the land, water, air, vegetation, and even people.
5. Provides accurate measurements: With the use of remote sensing, scientists have been able
to gather precise measurements of various environmental factors. These measurements
help them understand how these factors change over time. Scientists can use remote
sensing to monitor changes in the environment caused by natural disasters, human
activities, and climate change.
6. Can be applied to many different fields: Remote sensing can be used to study everything
from agriculture to forestry to oceanography. It can also be used to detect and identify
hazardous materials.
7. Increases efficiency: One of the biggest advantages of remote sensing is its ability to
increase efficiency. If you want to know the exact location of a problem, you can use remote
sensing to find the solution. In addition to locating problems, remote sensing can be used
to predict future conditions based on current ones.
8. Is non-invasive: Unlike traditional methods, remote sensing does not require physical
contact with the objects being studied. This makes it safer than other types of sampling
techniques.
9. Allows for quick analysis: Remote sensing can analyze data much faster than traditional
methods. This means that scientists can make decisions based on their findings much
quicker.
10. Systematic Data Collection: Remote Detection systems collect information from the
ground surface in a systematic manner over a specific time interval, eliminating the
selection bias introduced in some in situ investigations.
11. Biophysical Data Derivation: Under controlled circumstances, remote sensing can provide
foundational biophysical information such as location, elevation, temperature, moisture
content, and so on.
 12. Multi-disciplinary Applications: The very same remote sensing data can be used by
researchers or workers from various disciplines, such as geology, forestry, agriculture,
hydrology, planning, and defense, increasing the overall benefit-to-cost ratio.

LIMITATIONS OF REMOTE SENSING

1. Understanding the application limit: The biggest restriction of this method is that its
functionality is frequently overstated. Remote sensing cannot provide all of the information
required for any scientific study on its own. These tools and techniques' applicability is
limited to the selection of appropriate sensors, resolutions, data collection time, and
appropriate post-processing procedures.
2. Expensive technique: Remote sensing can become expensive, primarily due to the cost of
hiring skilled analysts. The analysis and interpretation of remote sensing data require
expertise, making it a significant budgetary consideration. Luckily, satellite data itself has
become far more affordable in the market, particularly if you work with an aggregator like
Sky Watch that provides the industry’s top providers without minimum spend contracts.
3. Human involvement: In processing remote sensing data, such as specifying resolutions,
calibrating sensors, and selecting the appropriate platform, can introduce errors and bias
into the data. Hiring a Geographic Information System (GIS) specialist can help limit
human errors in the data you are collecting, as they are trained in analysing and interpreting
remote sensing and other types of geospatial data. If you don’t have a specialist on your
team, working closely with customer support resources from your satellite imagery
providers can help support your goals.
4. Calibration Issues: Remote sensing instruments may become uncalibrated over time,
leading to inaccurate data. Regular calibration and maintenance are essential to ensure data
quality.
5. Atmospheric Conditions: Remote sensing data can be affected by atmospheric conditions,
such as clouds, haze, and aerosols, which can distort or obscure images. The impact of
atmospheric conditions can limit the accuracy and usefulness of remote sensing data.
6. Sun Angle: The angle of the sun can create shadows and distortions in remote sensing
images, making it challenging to interpret some features accurately. The impact of sun
angle can limit the application of remote sensing technology in some areas.
7. Limitations of Identifying Underground or Deep Ocean Features: Some features, such as
underground resources or deep ocean features, cannot be accurately identified using remote
sensing techniques, making it difficult to gain a complete picture of certain areas. The
limitations of identifying underground or deep ocean features can limit the usefulness of
remote sensing data in some applications.
8. Seasonal Changes: Remote sensing data can be affected by seasonal changes, such as
vegetation growth, snow cover, or changes in weather patterns, which can affect the
accuracy of data. The impact of seasonal changes can limit the usefulness of remote sensing
data in some applications.
9. Human-made Structures: Remote sensing data can be affected by the presence of human-
made structures, such as buildings, roads, and bridges, which can obscure the underlying
natural features and make it challenging to interpret the data accurately. The impact of
human-made structures can limit the accuracy and usefulness of remote sensing data in
some applications.
10. Electromagnetic Interference: Remote sensing can be affected by electromagnetic
interference, such as radio waves, power lines, and other sources of electromagnetic
radiation, which can affect the quality and accuracy of the data. The electromagnetic
interference can limit the reliability and usefulness of remote sensing data in some
applications.
11. Ethical Considerations: Remote sensing raises ethical considerations, particularly when
used for military, surveillance, or intelligence purposes, which can have implications for
human rights, privacy, and security. The ethical considerations can limit the use and
accessibility of remote sensing data in some applications.
12. Data Storage and Management: Remote sensing can generate large amounts of data, which
can be challenging to store, manage, and analyse, requiring specialized hardware and
 software. The challenges in data storage and management can limit the usefulness and
accessibility of remote sensing data in some applications.

CONCLUSION
Remote sensing is undeniably a valuable tool for gathering spatial, spectral, and temporal
information about our environment. However, it is essential to recognize its limitations and
challenges. Researchers and practitioners must use remote sensing data judiciously, understanding
that it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. By acknowledging the disadvantages of remote sensing
and taking steps to mitigate them, we can harness the full potential of remote sensing while
ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the information it provides.
REFERENCES
https://skywatch.com/

https://www.studocu.com/in/
https://www.javatpoint.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-remote-sensing#google_vignette

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/remote-sensing