sensing-based systems for the continuous monitoring of forests
and other renewable natural resources. Although Aldrich's prediction in 1975 of the accuracy of satellite
remote sensing for monitoring forest change was not quickly or easily achieved, today it is well
established that remote sensing imagery, particularly digital data, can be used to monitor and map
changes in forests and other land cover types. Recent results (e.g., Collins & Woodcock, 1994; Coppin
and Bauer, 1995) have demonstrated that it is feasible to develop automated forest cover monitoring
methodologies. When the inherent limitations of digital approaches are appropriately dealt with,
preprocessing is adequately incorporated, and optimal change detection algorithms are selected, then
Aldrich's prediction can be met.