Remote Sensing and its Potential Role in Pest Management

Remote sensing is the acquisition of data by electronic or photographic systems not in direct contact with objects or phenomena under study (5, 6 and 7). Remote sensing can best be compared with surveillance or the monitoring of events which can be documented by photographic, electronic, or hybrid photoelectronic systems (8). Remote sensing involves the manipulation of remote sensing systems and knowledge of the electromagnetic spectrum and its component energy parts and their role in radiance, reflectance, absorption, and emission (7 and 8) . There are advantages to different types of both photographic and electronic systems or their hybrid conbinations. It is necessary to study and gather all parameters involved in a study to determine the trade-off necessary to use a specific system or combination for each case at a minimum cost that will give maximum benefit.