## 3 Advanced Techniques in Remote Sensing of EBC
### Integration of RS and GIS  
RS and GIS have a complementary nature and should develop interdependently. RS routinely provides extracted information from remotely sensed data at scales ranging from local to global and the purpose of GIS is to store, analyze and visualize spatial data [102]. Although [PERSON] has reviewed well the combined use of remotely-sensed data and vector GIS data [103], [PERSON] and [PERSON] claimed the integration of RS and GIS has actually become increasingly apparent since [PERSON] [104,105]. [PERSON] and [PERSON] listed key factors to benefit the integration, including development of theory and analytical methods, advances in computing (hardware and software) and global positioning system (GPS) technology [104]. A state-of-the-art definition of the integration is given as 'the use of each technology to benefit the other, as well as the application of both technologies for modeling and decision support' [104]. [PERSON] _et al._ proposed a three-level taxonomy of the integration [106]. First-level integration happens in the level of separate but equal data exchange between GIS and image analysis systems, e.g., displaying GIS (usually vector) data and remotely sensed (raster) data simultaneously. Second-level integration permits seamless tandem or combined raster-vector processing based on a common use interface. Certain RS or GIS software has capability of performing the second-level integration. For example, the aforementioned Definiens' Developer is capable of incorporating GIS data directly into image processing - image segmentation [69]. Third-level integration operates RS and GIS as a unified system, and finally generates an integrated model of the real world, e.g., accommodating raster and vector data in a hierarchical structure. Moreover, [PERSON] pointed out GPS must be involved with the integration to build up seamless RS-GIS-GPS integration for geospatial information analysis [107]. [PERSON], and [PERSON] and [PERSON] summarized the contribution of RS to GIS, and GIS to RS [25,104]. The contribution of RS to GIS includes: (1) RS develops thematic layers for GIS, such as surface elevation (Digital Elevation Model [DEM]), land use and land cover mapping, biophysical parameters, feature extraction and landscape change; and (2) RS provides orthoimagery as base data, which plays key role in positioning, registration and geo-referencing. The contribution of GIS to RS consists of (1) mission planning; (2) ancillary data for geometric and radiometric correction, and image classification; and (3) collection, organization and visualization of reference data.  
[PERSON] demonstrated many commonly used examples of RS and GIS for biodiversity applications. The following review focuses on the promising applications of the integration in EBC in 2009 [102]. For example, an adaptable method integrating low-cost remote sensing imagery and GIS was developed to assess forest cover change and conversion in support of decision-makers in assessing regional and local land use and planning forest conservation measures [108]. [PERSON] _et al._ applied data generated from RS and GIS to categorize habitats, and then determined the relationship between the habitat categorizations and species-distribution patterns in tropical rain forests of Southern Western Ghats (India) [109]. [PERSON] _et al._ pointed out that the integration of high-resolution RS images and GIS technique is an effective way to analyze the landscape changes at river basin scale [110]. In the management of water resources, RS and GIS integration techniques were used to design sustainable development plan of area and locale watershed [111], river inundation impact reduction [112], rainwater harvesting for drinking [113].