2012 Volume 28 Issue 4 Pages 137-144
This report showed footprints of a scientist who tried to establish measurement of ecosystem functions using remote sensing technology. First, the author started a study of grassland ecosystems, and then shifted to agriculture, forest and satoyama ecosystems. In this process, he encountered with remote sensing technology which was making rapid advances. He tried to establish “satellite ecology”, as a new dogma. Around 2000 and after, satellite sensors attained remarkable progresses in spatially, spectrally, and temporally. In the period, both hardware as computers, and software as GIS (Geographic Information System) had also improved. As the results, ecological researchers could compare and analyze experimental data obtained in the fields and satellite data directly. In the analysis, the author tried to keep ecosystem as it was, not to divide small orders, because it may possible to extract own ecosystem functions. Remote sensing has broad base and the study of synthetic sciences. In the tenor of JASS (Japanese Agricultural Systems Society), it says that the mission of JASS may integrate the divided agricultural sciences climbing over the fence of existing studies. This idea may common for satellite ecology.
