1. Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems

One of the most basic types of information used in field work is spatial information about a specific target area. Various types of information are spatial, including information concerning topography, land use, social infrastructure, climate, and manufacturing infrastructure. All of this information must be appropriately gathered in accordance with the objectives of a study. Remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) are among the many useful means for gathering and analyzing such spatial information. Using aerial photography and satellite images obtained through remote sensing, one can gather information covering wide geographic areas, such as information about natural resources or about the environment. For example, the distribution of vegetation can provide clues regarding the expansion of desertification or the state of food production. In addition, more detailed spatial information can be compiled by combining these methods with field work or existing data. Positioning data attached to spatial information ca.n then be analyzed using a geographic information system (GIS). A GIS is both a database of spatial information and a tool for its analysis. For example, GIS analysis of landform data or precipitation data may be used to predict natural disasters. In this chapter, we review these methods of gathering and analyzing data.