Remote sensing is an extremely effective method for mapping and monitoring soil, rock, and the environment. It is a low-cost and efficient method of gathering data over broad areas. Remote sensing data can be used to generate precise maps of soil and rock types, as well as to track environmental changes over time. This data is critical for a variety of applications, including agriculture, forestry, geology, environmental management, and urban planning.

Applications of remote sensing in soil and rock mapping:

• Soil mapping: Delineation of soil types, distribution, and properties (e.g., texture, organic matter, salinity, moisture).
• Rock mapping: Identification and classification of rock types, structures, and alteration zones.
• Geological mapping: Geological maps are essential tools for understanding the Earth's surface. They provide information about the composition, structure, and history of rocks and soils. Remote sensing can be used to create geological maps by identifying and classifying different types of rocks and soils based on their spectral reflectance.
• Mineral exploration: Remote sensing can be used to search for mineral deposits by identifying areas with anomalous spectral signatures. These anomalous signatures may be caused by the presence of minerals that absorb or reflect electromagnetic radiation in a unique way.
• Geotechnical engineering: Geotechnical engineers use remote sensing to assess the properties of soil and rock for construction projects. This information is essential for ensuring the safety and stability of structures.
• Environmental monitoring: Remote sensing can be used to monitor changes in the soil surface over time. This information can be used to track the effects of human activities, such as erosion and land use change.

Role of remote sensing in environment:

• Monitoring of land use and land cover change.
• Assessment of deforestation, desertification, and other forms of land degradation.
• Mapping of natural hazards (e.g., floods, landslides, wildfires).
• Monitoring of water quality and pollution.
• Assessment of climate change impacts.
• Management of natural resources.

You can also read:

Article Remote sensing of soil degradation: Progress and perspective

https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/8/7/296

https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/9/1153

Dr Md Hasanur Rahman thank you for your contribution to the discussion

this chapter very useful

Remote sensing can be used to create geological maps by identifying and classifying different types of rocks and soils based on their spectral reflectance. Mineral exploration: Remote sensing can be used to search for mineral deposits by identifying areas with anomalous spectral signatures.Remote sensing imagery provide land cover and land use information as well as quantifying biophysical variables on temporal and spatial scales. This information can substantially improve understanding of ecosystem resilience. Tracking Earth's soils using ESA Earth observation data aids multiple application areas. Soil maps are most commonly used for land evaluation, spatial planning, agricultural extension, environmental protection and similar projects. Traditional soil maps typically show only general distribution of soils, accompanied by the soil survey report. Remote sensing in geology is remote sensing used in the geological sciences as a data acquisition method complementary to field observation, because it allows mapping of geological characteristics of regions without physical contact with the areas being explored. GIS and remote sensing data can be used to identify areas that are at potential risk to extensive soil erosion, loss of vegetation cover etc. Remote sensing is the process of detecting and monitoring the physical characteristics of an area by measuring its reflected and emitted radiation at a distance (typically from satellite or aircraft). Special cameras collect remotely sensed images, which help researchers "sense" things about the Earth. The use of remote sensing allows for the investigation of damage brought on by natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, floods, and the melting of ice in polar areas. The use of remote sensing may often be used when attempting to forecast the advent of natural disasters. GIS makes it easy to monitor the environment using satellite images. Satellites images help monitor the natural resources, soil, and habitat of different species. With the help of GIS, an organization can observe the distribution of different species and use this information to allocate funds for the species. Remote sensing has provided the means for detecting and quantifying the rates of pollution, and mapping and monitoring sources of pollution and the degree of remediation for their management. Environmental monitoring by remote sensing is based on processing data and images acquired by sensors on satellites and other types of platforms, to extract information about targets on the earth's surface, or processes of interest over time.

Remote sensing aids soil mapping by assessing types, moisture, and fertility.

In rock mapping, it identifies geological features and mineral deposits. In the environment, it monitors deforestation, land cover changes, water quality, and supports disaster management. Overall, remote sensing provides essential data for informed environmental analysis and resource management.

Dr Mahesha D B thank you for your contribution to the discussion

Remote Sensing technology aids in monitoring soil health, assessing agricultural viability, and guiding land-use planning. Remote sensing (RS) technologies have been widely used to investigate soil degradation as it is highly efficient, time-saving, and broad-scope. Remote sensing aids soil mapping by assessing types, moisture, and fertility. In rock mapping, it identifies geological features and mineral deposits. In the environment, it monitors deforestation; land cover changes, water quality, and supports disaster management. Remote sensing plays a vital role in assessing and monitoring geological hazards such as landslides, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. By analyzing changes in land surface features and topography, geologists can identify areas prone to hazards and assess their potential impacts. Remote sensing helps in locating potential groundwater reservoirs by mapping subsurface geological structures and identifying areas with high groundwater potential. This valuable information supports sustainable groundwater management and prevents overexploitation of this vital resource.Remote sensing provides multi-spectral, and multi temporal satellite images for accurate mapping. Land cover/Land use mapping provide basic inventory of land resources. This mapping can be local or regional in scope; it depends on user's objective and requirement. For land use and land cover mapping, remote sensing gives a synoptic picture and multi-temporal data. The use of remote sensing and GIS tools to map LULC and detect changes is a cost-effective means of gaining a detailed understanding of the land cover change processes and their repercussions.Remote sensing technique provides a powerful systematic tool to monitor, map and model the different vegetation cover and provides a precise and accurate road map for many aspects. Band ratioing extracts vegetation from heterogeneous surface features and reduces the spectral biasness also. GIS can store the voluminous amount of spatial (maps) and non spatial (tabular data) information. It has potential uses in land resource management and inventory. The collection of remotely sensed data facilitates the synoptic analyses of Earth. Remote sensing can show how land has changed over time, including areas of soil erosion, vegetation density, and other markers used to inform conservation strategies. Land managers can use this data to identify areas with the highest risks and develop plans to address them. Some of the known RS applications are: monitoring of forest, water courses, agriculture area, regional and urban planning, land use and land cover changes, air and water quality, mineral exploration, natural and manmade hazards etc.Remote sensing is widely used to monitor biological species, habitat and species distribution, and landscape ecosystems. Biodiversity Conservation Priority Areas (BCPA) are core areas of conservation. Remote sensing monitoring of these areas will allow for continuous management of them.