Remote sensing has been defined as the detection, recognition, or evaluation of objects by means of distant sensing or recording devices. In recent decades, remote sensing technology has emerged to support data collection and analysis methods of potential interest and importance in forest management. Historically, digital remote sensing developed quickly from the technology of aerial photography and photointerpretation science. In forestry, information extracted visually from aerial photographs is well-understood, well-used, and integrated with field surveys. Information extracted from digital remote sensing data, on the other hand, is rarely used in forest management. It is thought that many remote sensing data and methods are complex, and are not well understood.
