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Abstract: This article provides an overview of some of the recent research in ecological informatics involving remote sensing and GIS. Attention focuses on a selected range of issues including topics such as the nature of remote sensing data sets, issues of accuracy and uncertainty, data visualization and sharing activities as well as developments in aspects of ecological modelling research. It is shown that considerable advances have been made over recent years and foundations for future research established. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Three decades have passed since the launch of the first international satellite sensor programme designed for monitoring Earth's resources. Over this period, forest resources have come under increasing pressure, thus their management and use should be underpinned by information on their properties at a number of levels. This paper provides a comprehensive review of how satellite remote sensing has been used in forest resource assessment since the launch of the first Earth resources satellite sensor (ERTS) in 1972. The use of remote sensing in forest resource assessment provides three levels of information; namely (1) the spatial extent of forest cover, which can be used to assess the spatial dynamics of forest cover; (2) forest type and (3) biophysical and biochemical properties of forests. The assessment of forest information over time enables the comprehensive monitoring of forest resources. This paper provides a comprehensive review of how satellite remote sensing has been used to date and, building on these experiences, the future potential of satellite remote sensing of forest resources is highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]