Aerial photographs in Land use and forest surveys

Large amount of literature on the subject of photointerpretation, photogrammetry and comparatively recently developed subject of remote sensing is available in the developed countries. The literature, however deals essentially with the local conditions, mostly of temperate regions. Comparatively, reference on tropical and subtropical conditions, as in major part of India and some adjacent countries, regarding scope, utility and limitations of aerial photography and photointerpretation, is limited and scattered. Even though the aerial photographs are used for topographical surveys for about fifty years or so in India, their use in natural resources surveys is recent. They are now being increasingly used by the foresters, soil scientists, engineers geologists, etc. A need is therefore felt for a comprehensive handbook as more and more people take to this technique for productive as well as pure research work in various disciplines.
This book is arranged in four parts, covering all aspects of aerial photography from the historical background to the remote sensing. Types of aerial photography, its planning, procurement, cost, etc. are dealt with in detail. Camera, films and other sensors are fully explained. Photogrammetry, essential for the photointerpreters, is adequately covered. A chapter on map making covers all essential details. Remote sensing is explained in sufficient details including the latest Earth Resources Satellites. Training facilities in India and abroad are indicated. An exhaustive glossary of technical terms, a typical photointerpretation key for forest inventory and a detailed guide on tree height measurements, are given as appendices. Measurements of tree and stand characteristics and forest inventory with aerial photographs are exhaustively dealt with, incorporating important findings of research workers in the field in India and abroad, and experience of the authors. A standard classification system for landuse and forest covertypes is suggested for the first time in India. Liberal use is made of figures to explain the text. Many ground stereograms and photographs are added to make the book lucid and illustrative.