Satellite remote sensing and anthropogenic pressures on biodiversity

This chapter explores how satellite remote sensing can be employed to monitor a wide range of anthropogenic pressures which affect species and ecosystems, in both terrestrial and marine systems. First, it reviews the literature on the use of satellite data to monitor deforestation and forest degradation. It then explores how these data can be used to monitor fragmentation, which is another form of habitat degradation that can represent an important threat to the preservation of biological diversity. This is followed by a review of the use of satellite remote sensing information to monitor urbanisation, night-time light pollution, oil exploration and exploitation, mineral extraction activities, oil spills and run-off, and illegal fishing. The chapter concludes by discussing opportunities for satellite remote sensing to monitor and predict the impact of climate change on biodiversity.