As with aerial photography, video data can be used for the development of training sets for satellite image classification and in subsequent accuracy assessment. This is particularly useful in remote areas of Africa where physical sampling is difficult, expensive, or even impossible. The use of both oblique and vertical cameras has proven to be worthwhile. Oblique views provide useful qualitative information and even some quantitative information about landscapes that cannot be obtained from vertical views. A common NRM practice in northern agricultural areas is the use of live hedges.
Peanuts are the main crop in the vertical frame.
The low flying altitude resulted in relatively high resolution images that appear to provide the necessary detail for inventory and analysis of many NRM practices. However, some phenomena, such as tree mortality, were only apparent in the zoomed lens setting. Future repeat missions should consider frequent use of the telephoto mode to obtain 10 cm or better resolution, or consider a permanent zoom setting in a third camera. The choice of the late wet season timeframe for the data collection appears to be an appropriate one. In the natural landscapes, environmental problems like tree mortality, soil erosion and productivity, salinity, termite mounds, and overgrazing are readily detected owing to the contrast with the green, vegetated surroundings.