ABSTRACT
The use of sensors in landscape ecology is dominated by satellite and aerial remote sensing, but in situ sensors in actual contact with the entity being sensed are widely used across other areas of ecology. This chapter explores the growing potential of networks of in situ sensors for complementing remotely sensed data and for providing valuable alternative data sources for landscape ecology. To collect data over the broad spatial extents often required for landscape ecology studies, a large number of in situ sensors may be required. Connecting multiple individual sensors using wireless communications to create a sensor network enables efficient management of sensors and data collection. Applications include relating carbon fluxes or groundwater flows to vegetation change and providing data to improve the calibration of remotely sensed data for finer-resolution understanding. Although sensor networks have not been widely used in landscape ecological studies, improvements in sensor, processing, communication, and robotic technologies are now making their use more attractive and valuable.
