Objective Mapping of Surface Features—Innovative and Broad Applications of Remote Sensing

Dear Colleagues,

The reduction in subjectivity in mapping the surface features of reality has been of interest to the scientific community since the last decade of the 20th century. For the Earth or any other planet, remote sensing tools greatly improve the objective mapping of geomorphic features on surfaces. The development of objective procedures for mapping geomorphic features is key to the design of robotic sensors for analyzing the existing surface reality on planets.

Using aerial or terrestrial laser scanning, digital photogrammetry, or any other measurement technique, it is possible to obtain high-spatial-resolution digital elevation models (HRDEMs). These methods, duly treated by remote sensing and image processing techniques, allow researchers to obtain vectorial contacts or feature geomorphic references (FRGs), the latter of which provide an accurate representation of the reality of and the objects present on the studied surface. Other new procedures also provide similar solutions.

The analysis of images captured using sensors (LiDAR, Radar, spectral sensors, traditional imaging cameras, CT scans, etc.) mounted on aircraft (planes, drones, or space platforms) or integrated into short-range devices plays a crucial role in achieving these objectives. Whether processed with remote sensing and GIS tools, image filtering algorithms, or any 3D application, as well as new methodological approaches, these images contribute significantly to generating surface models. These models are essential for carrying out an objective representation of natural features.

This SI aims to compile the latest research on remote sensing applications for the objective mapping of surface features. This SI invites papers on the aforementioned topics related to the objective mapping of natural surface features. This includes the construction of inventories detailing the geometrical characteristics of these geomorphic features and the analysis of their dynamics through these features. This extends to features associated with external or internal geological processes, trace fossils, atmospheric gases, and any feature studied in geoscience that can be automatically examined by robotic sensors in the near future.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following:

We invite you to submit scientific, technological, or review articles about recent research within one or more of these topics:

• The objective mapping of geomorphic features for geoscience studies.
• Making realistic inventories of surface features on planetary bodies.
• Detection and measures of earth surface changes using multitemporal remote sensing signals.
• Mapping, modeling, and/or monitoring approaches in earth surface changes and deformations.
• Automatic landmark extraction to the geometric morphometrics analyses of body fossil remains.

Prof. Dr. Alberto González-Díez
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Remote Sensing is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• precise DTM or DSM
• image filtering techniques
• modelling in GIS and remote sensing environments
• interferometric measurements
• LiDAR cloud of points
• digital photogrammetric models
• precise measurements of surface deformation
• inventories of planetary geoforms
• landmark extraction