Thermal Remote Sensing for Monitoring Terrestrial Environment

Dear Colleagues,

It is well known that everything above absolute zero (-273.1 °C) emits radiation in the thermal infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Based on this fact, thermal infrared (TIR, 3–14 μm) remote sensing detects the transmitted surface-leaving radiation and the emission by the atmosphere. The surface–atmosphere coupling allows the estimate of a number of environmental variables, including land surface temperature (LST), land surface emissivity, air temperature, water vapor, trace gases, the component of surface radiation, and energy balances, etc. Among these variables, LST may be the most widely used one that has been recognized by the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) as one of the essential climate variables. These variables are widely used to study urban climate and environment, environmental and ecological impacts of climate change, resource exploration, etc.

In addition to directly applying the estimated variables to monitor the related terrestrial environment and land surface processes, the TIR image is also employed to detect thermal anomalies, such as coal fire, forest fire, warm water discharge, etc. With the advent of commercial high-resolution (~ a few meters) TIR remote sensing, we can monitor the thermal traces caused by human activities.

In this context, reviewing the achieved progress on thermal remote sensing for monitoring the terrestrial environment and looking forward to future development hold great relevance. In this Special Issue, we will compile state-of-the-art methods for estimating TIR variables, monitoring the terrestrial environment, and detecting thermal anomalies. Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

1. Thermal environment;
2. Urban heat island;
3. Heatwave;
4. Geological mapping;
5. Land cover classification;
6. Landscape thermal responses;
7. Thermal anomaly;
8. Coal fire;
9. Warm water discharge;
10. Active fire detection;
11. Anthropogenic heat emission;
12. Land surface temperature and emissivity;
13. Air temperature;
14. Water vapor;
15. Surface radiation and energy budget.

Prof. Dr. Jie Cheng
Prof. Dr. Qiao Wang
Guest Editors

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