Remote Sensing Applications Case Studies

Walking in the Footsteps of Remote Sensing Scientists

Introduction

In this module, you will be walking in the footsteps of remote sensing scientists conducting lengthy research projects with Earth Engine! This is supposed to give you the feel of what working on your final projects could be like.

In this course, you gained hands-on experience working with one of the most powerful geospatial analysis platforms available today. You have learned how to use Earth Engine to analyze large datasets, visualize geospatial information, and apply advanced analysis techniques to solve real-world problems.

Today you will test the limit of those skills with these case studies.

What Are Case Studies?

Case studies in remote sensing are real-world examples of how satellite imagery and geospatial analysis are applied to address specific problems or answer research questions. They provide:

Context: Understanding how methods are applied in practice
Workflow: Step-by-step processes from data acquisition to analysis to results
Problem-solving: Strategies for overcoming challenges
Inspiration: Ideas for your own research projects

Featured Case Studies

You will work through several in-depth case studies that demonstrate different applications of remote sensing:

Case Study 1: River Morphology

Explore River Morphology Case Study →

Research Question: How can we measure river width and track changes in river channel morphology over time?

Skills Applied:

Water detection using spectral indices
Image segmentation and masking
Centerline extraction
Width measurements
Temporal analysis

Real-World Application: Flood management, erosion monitoring, ecosystem health

Case Study 2: Global Snow Observatory

Explore Global Snow Case Study →

Research Question: How is snow cover changing globally, and what are the trends?

Skills Applied:

MODIS data processing
Image collection manipulation
Snow cover classification
Frequency analysis
Trend detection
Regional summarization

Real-World Application: Water resource management, climate change monitoring, agriculture planning

Case Study 3: Urban Heat Islands

Explore Heat Islands Case Study →

Research Question: How do urban areas differ in temperature from surrounding rural areas?

Skills Applied:

Land surface temperature retrieval
Urban/rural classification
Temperature differencing
Spatial analysis
Statistical comparison

Real-World Application: Urban planning, public health, energy management, climate adaptation

Case Study 4: Fire Monitoring

Explore Fire Monitoring Case Study →

Research Question: How can we monitor active fires and assess burned areas?

Skills Applied:

Active fire detection
Burned area mapping
Multi-sensor data fusion
UI/UX design for monitoring apps
Real-time data integration

Real-World Application: Wildfire management, emergency response, ecological impact assessment

What Makes a Good Case Study?

As you work through these case studies and develop your own, consider these elements:

1. Clear Research Question

Every case study should start with a well-defined question that guides the analysis.

2. Appropriate Data Selection

Choose datasets that match your spatial, temporal, and spectral requirements.

3. Reproducible Methodology

Document your steps so others can replicate or adapt your approach.

4. Thoughtful Analysis

Go beyond basic calculations—interpret your results in context.

5. Clear Communication

Present findings with effective visualizations and clear explanations.

6. Real-World Relevance

Connect your work to practical applications or policy implications.

Learning Objectives

Through these case studies, you will:

✅ See how course concepts integrate into complete research projects
✅ Practice end-to-end workflows from data loading to final products
✅ Learn to troubleshoot real-world data challenges
✅ Develop project management skills for complex analyses
✅ Build confidence for your own final project
✅ Understand how remote sensing solves real problems

How to Approach the Case Studies

Phase 1: Understand the Problem

Read the background and research question carefully
Consider why this problem matters
Think about what data and methods might be appropriate

Phase 2: Follow the Workflow

Work through each step systematically
Run the code and examine the outputs
Modify parameters to understand their effects
Take notes on key concepts and techniques

Phase 3: Analyze and Interpret

Look at the results critically
Consider sources of uncertainty
Think about limitations and assumptions
Identify potential improvements

Phase 4: Apply and Extend

Try applying the methods to a different location
Experiment with different parameters or datasets
Consider how you might adapt this for your project
Think about related questions you could investigate

From Case Studies to Your Final Project

These case studies serve as templates and inspiration for your final project. Consider:

What Did You Find Most Interesting?

Which environmental problem resonated with you?
Which techniques did you enjoy using?
What questions arose as you worked through the studies?

How Can You Adapt These Methods?

Could you apply river morphology methods to coastlines?
Could you adapt heat island methods to analyze vegetation?
Could you combine techniques from multiple case studies?

What's Your Study Area?

Is there a location you're particularly interested in?
Do you have local knowledge that could inform your analysis?
Are there stakeholders who would benefit from your work?

Tips for Success

💡 Don't rush: These are complex projects—take time to understand each step
📝 Document as you go: Keep notes on what works and what doesn't
🤔 Ask "why": Understand the reasoning behind methodological choices
🔍 Experiment: Try changing parameters to see what happens
🗣️ Discuss: Talk with classmates about challenges and insights
🎯 Think ahead: Consider how these methods apply to your final project

Additional Resources

Remote Sensing Journal - Case studies from published research
Earth Engine Case Studies - Official GEE examples
Earth Engine Tutorials - Community contributions
Earth Engine Community - Code repositories

Ready to Begin?

Choose a case study to start with, or work through them sequentially:

Best of luck and happy mapping! 🗺️🛰️