Introduction to the special issue “Uncertainty in remote sensing image analysis”

Abstract

Images obtained from satellites are of an increasing resolution. In addition, the frequency of their observations is increasing, and is expected to continue to increase in the near future. Despite these rapid developments, uncertainty is inherent in images. This occurs in all types of images, sensors and platforms, including multi-spectral (hyper-spectral) images, high spatial resolution images and LiDAR images. Uncertainty is, for example, due to mixed pixels, a lack of precise ground control points, atmospheric distortion and the vague definition of ground objects. It includes both low accuracy, as well as ambiguous definitions.