These analyses enable foresters to determine water availability and to predict droughts and flooding. GIS is a decision-making tool based on geographically referenced information. GIS uses different levels of geographical information, such as elevation, hydrology, or location of roads and infrastructure, to create a multi-layered representation of a site. Some remote sensing methods that are used in combination with GIS are aerial videography and Thematic Mapper sensing. These data are available for large areas and can be interpreted to provide information on forest age, tree species distribution, and even estimated timber volume.
Forests are often at risk of being destroyed by forest fires.
Remote sensing can be used in efforts to reduce the risk and minimize damage if a fire occurs. Weather information, such as measurements of precipitation and temperature, allows foresters to calculate risk assessments and isolate the areas most susceptible to fire. 4 Images from these satellites are readily available and small fires show up on them almost immediately. Remote sensing contributes to fire-fighting efforts, as well. Data on wind direction and speed, and the dryness of surrounding areas can help predict the directions and speed at which a fire spreads.