4D (Multi-Temporal) Remote Sensing: Opportunities, Challenges and Issues for Environmental Monitoring over Time

Dear Colleagues,

In recent decades, multitemporal high-resolution topography (HRT; e.g., photogrammetry, LiDAR, GNSS) data sets are becoming increasingly available, improving our ability and opportunities to monitor landscape evolution at different scales and times. Indeed, some HRT techniques allow performing multitemporal (4D) surveys with adequate frequency to detect changes at an appropriately temporal scale at which surface processes operate. However, in order to obtain comparable results over time, it is necessary to implement methodologies and workflows that consider the issues associated with 4D surveys (e.g., the assessment of accuracy and uncertainties and the use of appropriate georeferencing and co-registration approaches). Moreover, topographic surveying platforms, georeferencing systems, and processing tools have seen important developments in the last two decades; therefore, HRT data acquired at different epochs may be characterized by different accuracy and precision over time. As a consequence, old “legacy” data sets and recent surveys can often show comparison problems, especially when multitemporal data are not homogeneous in terms of quality and uncertainties.

This Special Issue invites studies involving 4D surveys or datasets, focusing on in-depth assessment and comparison of current solutions or developing new methodologies for comparing multitemporal data acquired at different scales in various environmental contexts (e.g., steep slopes, agricultural, glacial) and possibly with diverse techniques. Topics may cover any type of technology, from historical data (e.g., historical images) to novel HRT techniques (e.g., UAS-LiDAR). Hence, multisource data integration (e.g., multispectral, hyperspectral, and thermal), multiscale approaches or studies focused on data fusion and comparison of HRT techniques are welcome. Articles may address but are not limited to the following monitoring applications:

• Geomorphological changes;
• Soil erosion process;
• Land use changes;
• Agricultural and crop dynamics;
• Forest changes;
• Glacial and periglacial dynamics.

Dr. Sara Cucchiaro
Dr. Eleonora Maset
Dr. Manel Llena
Dr. He Zhang
Dr. Mihai Niculita
Guest Editors

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