has overstretched the use of these natural resources, thus creating pressure on existing forest cover, increasing human‐wildlife conflicts, and creating desert‐like conditions. The depletion of our limited resources has led to changes in local weather patterns, apart from declining benefits in terms of social, economic, and cultural aspects of utilizing these resources. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how to use these resources sustainably to ensure that future generations enjoy their benefits (Oisebe 2012). Sustainable resources development plan starts with the assessment of the natural resources' availability. The assessment process involves four essential functions:
1 Mapping: the collection of qualitative and quantitative data in the spatial format.
2 Measuring: the process of quantifying the attributes of a phenomena and documenting them.
3 Modeling: the process of representing a phenomenon through a set of mathematical equations and simulating the past, present, or future behavior.
4 Monitoring: the routine assessment of the conditions by recording natural phenomena and human activities changes.
Geospatial assessment supported by the Geographic Information System (GIS), Remote Sensing (RS), and Global Positioning System (GPS) caters for compelling techniques of mapping, monitoring, surveying, classification, characterization, and change detection of natural resources. These techniques provide a platform for generating valuable data, creating cartographic products, and performing timely analysis to make sound sustainable development decisions. Remote sensing involves the recording of information distantly without coming in contact with the object using the various electromagnetic spectrum. It employs the use of cameras, lasers, scanners, and specialized sensors that are located on the ground or aerial platforms (Jensen and Im 2007). The principle geospatial components of a study are derived using various methods such as aerial photographs, satellite imaging, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)/Drone data, GPS survey, etc., based on the study's objective. Figure 2.1 displays different remote sensing components for collecting NRM data. Remotely sensed data captured through different satellites and other platforms such as drones platforms has wide applications in natural resource management disciplines. Multiple data from various sources also serve as input for other environmental models (Melesse and Graham 2004). The combined use of GIS, remote sensing data, and GPS has enabled researchers and natural resource managers to establish management plans for various applications (Philipson et al. 2003). The rest of this chapter will focus on multiple geospatial technologies and their application in different natural resource management areas.
Figure 2.1 Different components of remote sensing used for collecting a wide range of information. Based on Manfreda et al. (2018).
2.2 Applications of Geospatial Technology in Natural Resource Management
2.2.1 Forest Management
Forests are critical habitats for a variety of living organisms and provide multiple ecosystem services. Despite their crucial role in the ecosystem, many countries are experiencing forest degradation, deforestation, and impacts at different levels due to various geographically distributed factors. Geospatial technology can be utilized to generate information for forest cover, forest types, the extent of human encroachment into forested areas, and monitoring the progression of desert‐like conditions. This information is vital for developing forest management plans and to develop a decision support system that can be used effectively for the sustainable use of natural resources. A multicriteria analysis approach using remote sensing data can also be used for site suitability analysis of important plant and animal species. Some recent studies utilizing geospatial technologies for natural resource management include the studies by Bogdanov et al. (2018), Kumar et al. (2019a,b,c), Olokeogun and Kumar (2020), Pokhriyal et al. (2020), Polevshchikova (2019), Rasooli et al. (2018), San Juan and Domingo‐Santos (2018), Shrestha (2020), Singh et al. (2020), and Singh et al. (2020a,b). A flow diagram of geospatial techniques for forest management and forest health mapping is shown in Figure 2.2.
Figure 2.2 Applications of geospatial techniques for forest resource assessment and mapping.
2.2.2 Water Resource Management
Water is an essential natural resource for human existence. Over the years freshwater availability for human utilization has been declining, whereas the growing population demand increases. Therefore, there is a pressing need to monitor this vital resource and better understand its sustainable use approach. Water, soil, and vegetation are vital natural resources and hence should be managed effectively and simultaneously. A watershed is the smallest planning unit that efficiently represents a continuum of these three resources. This knowledge can help develop effective water management strategies, and it can be of crucial importance for regions with limited water availability.
GIS renders the technology for delineating land use pattern, land resource assessment, irrigation water management, flood management, and monitoring the environmental impact of watershed projects. It is also an excellent tool for delineating hydro‐morphological units in problematic areas for selecting suitable sites for water harvesting structures. Geospatial techniques have emerged as indispensable tools for mapping and planning natural resources (Mahajan and Panwar 2005; Vittala et al. 2008; Bryan et al. 2011; Burkhard et al. 2012). These techniques play a significant role in various fields of watershed aspects, such as estimating evapotranspiration (ET) (Bashir et al. 2008; Elhag et al. 2011), runoff modeling (Shrivastava et al. 2004; López‐Vicente et al. 2013), soil erosion (Vemu and Pinnamaneni 2011; Esteves et al. 2012), flood‐management (Park and Hur 2012; Steinfeld and Kingsford 2013), and irrigation management (Georgoussis et al. 2009; Saidi et al. 2009). Figures 2.3 and 2.4 show flow diagrams for geospatial technology's role in assessing groundwater potential and its role in watershed prioritization, respectively.
Figure 2.3 Representation of multiple spatial layers that can be developed with the assistance of geospatial technology to assess groundwater potential. Based on Georgoussis et al. (2009).
2.2.3 Water Quality Monitoring
Water quality monitoring is required to be managed on a regular basis for human consumption purposes. Water quality is currently analyzed in the laboratory or through in‐situ measurements. Although these measurements are accurate, they miss the spatial and temporal components needed for water body management. These are also expensive and time‐consuming procedures that cannot satisfy the monitoring needs on a large scale. Remote sensing technology can be employed for monitoring different water quality parameters (i.e. temperature, turbidity, and chlorophyll content). Thermal and optical sensors can retrieve spatial and temporal information required to monitor water quality and develop management practices.
