Center for Remote Sensing 

Understanding the impact of humans on the environment, and the subsequent impact of the environment on humans, requires a grasp of interrelationships that often cannot be obtained when standing in the middle of a problem.

Remote sensing is a field of advanced technology in which scientists can view environmental problems from the perspective of looking at earth from space. Born out of secret military capabilities and the desire of military leaders to know what their adversaries are doing, remote sensing has matured into a field that has applications far beyond spying.

UNT is at the forefront of exploring new ways to use remote sensing technology for "peaceful" purposes. The Center for Remote Sensing was established in 1986 to conduct basic and applied research on techniques that enable a better use of data from satellite remote sensing systems for environmental research.

As one of UNT's research centers, CRS serves to focus the significant interdisciplinary expertise in environmental science, management and policy that exists on campus and in the region. Strong ties exist between CRS and the Department of Biological Sciences, the Department of Geography and, particularly, the Institute of Applied Sciences. Projects undertaken by CRS with federal, state and local agencies and private industry are designed to identify and enhance ways in which remote sensing and related geographic information systems (GIS) can aid in understanding and solving environmental problems.

CRS projects have involved water pollution investigations, land use and land use change studies, rangeland and forestland characterization, wildlife habitat evaluation and numerous other types of environmental applications.

BY SAMUEL F. ATKINSON, Director atkinson@unt.edu

Other web resources:

• Center for Remote Sensing

Other featured articles in this issue:

• UNT names Morton to system's governmental affairs office
• UNT style manual is now available online
• Texas Apartment Association chooses UNT to launch new management program
• UNT faculty member to live Olympic dream
• Survey applauds UNT's copyright ownership policy
• Wanted: Your ideas for celebrations honoring UNT athletic accomplishments
• UNT to present film series with multicultural relations focus
• Pohl speaks about the status of 2002-03 raises
• Registration is going on now for the 2002 Equity and Diversity Conference

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