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Title: Remote sensing technology transfer in enviromental management: application of a theory of information; a case study of moose habitat assessment for gas field development planning

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:6887780

Use of the information theory is illustrated by a case study of the application of Landsat visual and digital analysis to the identification of critical winter moose habitat in the foothills of west-central Alberta, Canada.The potential benefits of the study are considered in relation to the information needs of the client, Amoco Canada. These needs include a biophysical inventory and route and site location. The remote sensing application development process is related to the objectives and criteria for effective technology transfer. A ''user-driven'' approach in which the application development follows from the changing information needs of the planning project is identified as one of the key elements of a successful transfer process. Specialists associated with organizations producing remotely sensed data products, in an effort to promote the use of the technology, can compromise the effectiveness of environmental planning process. However an independent application scientist, freed of the transfer mission, may be more flexible. The products of remote sensing are informaion products that, by their nature, can be a source of power. As a consequence, the availability of remote sensing products and analysis capability has important political power in favor of resource development. In view of their political nature, decisions affecting the price of image data in the public domain should be considered as public policy decisions and not simply as economic decisions.

OSTI ID:
6887780
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Thesis (Ph.D.)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English