

Such ‘ground-truth’ information might come from ground-based sensors, higher-resolution remote-sensing sources, like aerial photographs, or researchers in the field. Without proper validation, satellite data should not be taken at face value. For starters, remote sensing data need to be validated, or compared with other sources of information to see if there is agreement. While these new technologies and techniques offer a far greater range of information than has ever been possible before, there are still challenges to using satellite data effectively.

There is no question that satellites and computer models are opening the door to new ways of looking at ecological issues. At the time of publication, it represented the best available science.

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