The next step is to take that image and classify the different land types.

By using the spectral signatures of materials within the satellite image, scientists can then identify different land usage patterns. The image above classifies the land into three significant types: agricultural, forest, and residential/urban.

One of the many applications of remote sensing is to take this land-type classified data and analyze how land use is changing. Understanding changing land use gives insight into the workings of environmental and climate systems. To learn more about land-use change in the Lehigh Valley, click Pennsylvania Sprawl.