Handbook on remote sensing for agricultural statistics / Справочник по дистанционному зондированию для сельскохозяйственной статистики

This chapter describes the data sets that are relevant for the integration of remote sensing for agricultural statistics. First, the remote sensing data sources themselves will be considered. However, the role of reference data and ancillary data layers and their use in stratification and aggregation will also be discussed. A key issue in recent data access is the general trend towards open access. Thus, while the major commercial remote sensing missions are listed for reference, the emphasis will be on open-access sources for a number of reasons: (1) to create wider awareness on data sets that are available under free and open licenses; (2) to promote understanding on how these data can be accessed; and (3) to discuss how open data can be used to optimize acquisition – that is minimize the associated costs – of commercial data. Remote sensing data, both from open or commercial sources, usually require preprocessing for follow-up use in statistical analysis. The use of open-source software for image processing and geospatial analysis is another important development that will accelerate the take-up of remote sensing data. The use of open-source software will be discussed, and a listing of commercial software alternatives will be provided. The chapter will conclude with a discussion of the more recent trend to move data analytics into cloud computing environments. <...>