Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #107838
Title: BRDF RESEARCH RESULTS DIFFUSION: A CALL FOR OUTREACH AND EDUCATION

Author
item Walthall, Charles
item BARNSLEY, MICHAEL - UNIVERSITY OF WALES

Submitted to: Remote Sensing Reviews
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The use of a bidirectional reflectance, or multiple view angle (MVA) remote sensing imagery will significantly improve many earth science remote sensing applications. Unfortunately, this has not been adequately transferred to the applications or education communities. Some reasons for this, a lack of understanding of what the value-added character of MVA imagery is, a notable lack of MVA imagery for research and applications, a lack of user-friendly standardized tools for data processing and analysis, and a lack of case studies applying MVA methods. Suggestions for increasing the diffusion of BRDF research include: addressing the value-added element of MVA data relative to spectral data information, making bidirectional reflectance data and associated specialized tools available, and improving the process of communicating MVA research results, so those outside the bidirectional reflectance research community will clearly understand its benefits. The addition of MVA concepts and case studies to remote sensing textbooks is recommended so those lacking mathematical backgrounds can better understand the concepts. Providing sample data sets and associated software tools would also help.

Technical Abstract: The earth science, earth observation, and remote sensing education communities fail to recognize that bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) remote sensing research is creating better remote sensing methods. There are several reasons for this: 1) a lack of understanding the orthogonality of the information content of bidirectional reflectance data relative to that of spectral reflectance data, 2) a lack of understanding on how bidirectional reflectance approaches provide better results, 3) a lack of availability of multi-angle data for research and applications, 4) a lack of user-friendly standardized tools for data processing and analysis, and 5) a lack of case studies applying bidirectional reflectance methods. Suggestions for increasing the diffusion of BRDF research include: 1) addressing the orthogonality of bidirectional reflectance information relative to spectral data information, 2) making bidirectional reflectance data and tools for handling and analyzing the data available, and 3) improving the communication process. Urging textbook authors to include BRDF discussions which describe BRDF qualitatively and quantitatively, providing examples of case studies and sample data, and providing learning tools (hardware and software) are ways to improve education of BRDF.