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Q.1 (a)

What is EMS? State which EMS is mostly useful in agriculture

purposes and why?
(5 Marks)

Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS):

The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of all types of
electromagnetic radiation, which differ in wavelength and
frequency. Remote sensing systems use this spectrum to detect
and measure reflected or emitted energy from the Earth's surface.

The EMS includes:

Gamma rays

X-rays

Ultraviolet (UV)

Visible light (400–700 nm)

Near-infrared (NIR: 700–1300 nm)

Shortwave infrared (SWIR: 1300–3000 nm)

Thermal infrared (TIR: 3 µm – 14 µm)

Microwave (>1 mm)

EMS Useful in Agriculture: The Visible (VIS), Near-Infrared (NIR),

and Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) regions are most important for
agricultural applications. This is because:

VIS helps in observing the natural color of crops.

NIR is sensitive to vegetation health due to strong reflectance

from healthy leaves.

SWIR is useful for moisture content estimation in soil and

vegetation.

Why NIR is Most Useful in Agriculture:

Healthy vegetation reflects more NIR light and absorbs visible

light (especially red) for photosynthesis.

The difference in red and NIR reflectance is used in indices like

NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), which assesses
crop condition, stress, and biomass.

NIR penetrates atmospheric haze better, providing clearer

information.

Thus, NIR (700–1300 nm) is primarily used for agricultural remote

sensing because it gives a clear indication of plant health and
vigor.

Q.1 (b)

Enlist the morphometric properties of the watershed and write

steps to determine in GIS environment.
(5 Marks)

Morphometric Properties of Watersheds:

Morphometry is the quantitative measurement and analysis of the

configuration, shape, and dimensions of the earth’s surface
features, especially drainage basins.

1. Linear Aspects:

Stream order

Stream number

Stream length

Stream length ratio

Bifurcation ratio

2. Areal Aspects:

Drainage density

Stream frequency

Form factor

Circularity ratio

Elongation ratio

Drainage texture

3. Relief Aspects:

Basin relief

Relief ratio

Ruggedness number

Slope

Steps to Determine Morphometric Properties in GIS:

1. Delineate Watershed Boundary:

Use a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) in software like ArcGIS.

Fill sinks to remove depressions.

Generate flow direction and flow accumulation maps.

2. Stream Network Extraction:

Use flow accumulation thresholds to derive stream networks.

Assign stream orders (Strahler method).

3. Calculate Linear and Areal Parameters:

Measure stream lengths and areas using tools like “Measure”,

“Zonal Geometry”.

Use vector and raster analysis tools in GIS to extract parameters.

4. Relief Analysis:

Use elevation data to calculate relief, slope, and ruggedness.

Compute height differences using “Spatial Analyst” tools.

5. Use Formulas for Indices:

Apply standard morphometric equations in attribute tables.

Perform spatial statistics and generate final maps.

Q.2 (a)

Write basic components of GIS and discuss in detail each

component. Also write advantages and limitation of GIS over
traditional methods.

(5 Marks)

Basic Components of GIS :

1. Hardware:
Computers, digitizers, GPS devices, printers, servers—responsible
for data input, storage, and output.
2. Software:
GIS software (like ArcGIS, QGIS) provides tools for spatial analysis,
database management, and visualization.

3. Data:

Spatial Data: Geographic coordinates, maps, satellite imagery

Attribute Data: Information about the features (e.g., soil type,

land use)

4. People:
Analysts, surveyors, engineers, decision-makers who manage and
operate GIS.

5. Methods:
Well-defined rules, models, and workflows to collect, process, and
analyze geographic data.

Advantages of GIS Over Traditional Methods:

Integrates multiple data layers for analysis.

Faster and accurate decision-making.

Allows spatial visualization and simulation.

Easy data updating and sharing.

Useful in environmental monitoring, land-use planning, disaster

management.

Limitations:

High initial cost of hardware and software.

Requires skilled personnel.

Data compatibility and standardization issues.

Time-consuming data collection.

Q.2 (b)

Differentiate between raster and vector data.

(5 Marks)

Raster Data:

Represents data as a matrix of cells (pixels).

Suitable for continuous data (e.g., elevation, temperature).

Each cell holds a value representing information.

Requires more storage space.

Easy overlay and analysis using remote sensing images.

Vector Data:

Represents data as points, lines, and polygons.

Suitable for discrete data (e.g., roads, boundaries).

Efficient in terms of storage.

More accurate representation of features.

Preferred for mapping and cadastral applications.

Example: DEMs are raster, while roads and rivers are vector
features.

Q.3 (a)
Write the classification of remote sensing data and discuss in brief
each.

(5 Marks)

The remote sensing data is classified as:

1. Based on Source:

Passive sensors: Use natural energy (e.g., sunlight), e.g., Landsat,

LISS-IV.

Active sensors: Emit their own energy (e.g., radar), e.g., RISAT.

2. Based on Platform:

Ground-based, airborne (drones, aircraft), and satellite-based.

3. Based on Resolution:

Spatial: Pixel size (e.g., 10m, 30m).

Spectral: Number and width of bands (e.g., multispectral,

hyperspectral).

Temporal: Frequency of data acquisition.

Radiometric: Sensitivity to detect subtle differences in energy.

4. Based on Application:

Optical, thermal, and microwave remote sensing.

Q.3 (b)

What are the different phases of remote sensing? Explain with

figures.
(5 Marks)

The remote sensing involves the following phases:

1. Energy Source:
Provides electromagnetic energy to the target (usually the Sun for
passive sensors).

2. Interaction with Atmosphere and Earth Surface:

EM radiation interacts with the atmosphere and surface features
via reflection, absorption, and transmission.

3. Sensor Detection:
Sensors on satellites or aircraft record reflected or emitted
radiation.

4. Data Transmission and Processing:

Data is transmitted to ground stations, processed for correction
and enhancement.

5. Image Interpretation and Analysis:

Data is classified and interpreted manually or digitally using
GIS/RS software.

6. Application:
Used in agriculture, forestry, hydrology, disaster management,
etc.

Q.4 (a)

Discuss about the elements of image visualisation and

interpretation.

(5 Marks)

The image interpretation involves identifying features using:

1. Tone: Brightness of features (e.g., water bodies are dark).

2. Texture: Smooth or rough appearance (e.g., forests show

coarse texture).

3. Shape: Regular or irregular shape (e.g., circular water tanks vs.

natural lakes).

4. Size: Relative or absolute size (roads are narrow; rivers wide).

5. Shadow: Helps in identifying height (buildings, towers).

6. Pattern: Spatial arrangement (grid patterns for urban areas).

7. Association: Relationship with other features (e.g., bridges near

rivers).

8. Location: Geographical setting of the object.

Q.4 (b)

What is mean image geo-referencing? Write the steps of geo-

referencing.

(5 Marks)

Image Geo-referencing:
Geo-referencing is the process of aligning spatial data (e.g.,
satellite images) to a known coordinate system so that they can
be viewed and analyzed in GIS.

Steps of Geo-referencing (Lillesand et al., 2015):

1. Load the Image:

Open the raw image (e.g., scanned map or satellite data).
2. Identify Ground Control Points (GCPs):
Choose recognizable points (road intersections, water bodies) that
have known coordinates.

3. Assign Coordinates:
Input real-world coordinates for each GCP using a base map or
GPS data.

4. Transformation:
Apply a mathematical model (e.g., affine transformation) to
convert image coordinates to map coordinates.

5. Resampling:
Interpolates pixel values to correct image distortion (Nearest
Neighbor, Bilinear, Cubic).

6. Save and Export:

Save the rectified image in a geo-referenced format (e.g.,
GeoTIFF).

Q.5 (a)

Classify the sensors and their application.

(5 Marks)

Sensor Classification :

1. Based on Energy Source:

Passive Sensors: Landsat, IRS (used for vegetation, soil, land use).

Active Sensors: RADAR, LiDAR (used for elevation, terrain,

structure).
2. Based on Platform:

Spaceborne (satellites), airborne (drones), and ground-based

sensors.

3. Based on Spectral Response:

Panchromatic: Single band, high resolution (e.g., Cartosat).

Multispectral: Several broad bands (e.g., LISS-III, Landsat).

Hyperspectral: Hundreds of narrow bands (e.g., Hyperion, AVIRIS).

4. Thermal and Microwave Sensors:

Used for heat detection, soil moisture, and cloud-penetrating

observations.

Applications:

Agriculture, forestry, geology, urban planning, environmental

monitoring, disaster management.

Q.5 (b)

Write the image characteristics.

(5 Marks)

As per Lillesand et al. (2015), main image characteristics include:

1. Spatial Resolution:
Size of ground area covered by one pixel. Higher resolution =
finer details.

2. Spectral Resolution:
Number and width of bands. More bands = better material
differentiation.
3. Radiometric Resolution:
Ability to detect slight differences in energy. Represented in bits
(e.g., 8-bit = 256 levels).

4. Temporal Resolution:
Frequency of image acquisition (e.g., daily, weekly).

5. Swath Width:
Ground area covered in one pass of the sensor.

6. Viewing Angle:
Determines distortion; important in oblique vs. nadir viewing.