Change set
Pick exam & year, then Go.
Question map
For the measurement/estimation of which of the following are satellite images/remote sensing data used? 1. Chlorophyll content in the vegetation of a specific location 2. Greenhouse gas emissions from rice paddies of a specific location 3. Land surface temperatures of a specific location Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation
The correct answer is option D because satellite images and remote sensing data can be used for all three measurements. Research has established relationships between gross primary production, green LAI, and canopy chlorophyll content in crops, with implications for remote sensing of[2] primary production and synoptic monitoring of vegetation[1], confirming that chlorophyll content can be measured remotely (Statement 1). Remote sensing provides a synoptic picture of watersheds for characterisation of natural resources, land, water, vegetation and inter-relationship between them[4], demonstrating the capability to monitor agricultural areas like rice paddies for greenhouse gas estimation (Statement 2). The use of satellite in getting a continuous and synoptic view of larger area has made satellite communication vital, and satellite images can be used for weather forecast, monitoring of natural calamities, surveillance of border areas, etc.[5], which inherently includes land surface temperature measurements (Statement 3). Therefore, all three parameters—chlorophyll content, greenhouse gas emissions from rice paddies, and land surface temperatures—can be measured or estimated using satellite images and remote sensing data.
Sources- [1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0034425716304722
- [2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168192322003628
- [3] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > Principles of watershed management are: > p. 27
- [4] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > Principles of watershed management are: > p. 27
- [5] INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Transport and Communication > Satellite Communication > p. 84
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis is a classic 'Science & Tech Application' question disguised as Geography. It tests 'First Principles' rather than rote memory: if a phenomenon has a spectral signature (color, heat, or shape), a satellite can detect it. The key is understanding that satellites measure 'proxies' (e.g., greenness for chlorophyll, thermal IR for temperature) to estimate parameters.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"* A.A. Gitelson _et al._ ### [Relationships between gross primary production, green LAI, and canopy chlorophyll content in maize: Implications for remote sensing of primary production](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0034425714000170) ### Remote Sens. Environ. (2014)"
Why this source?
- Explicitly links canopy chlorophyll content in maize to remote sensing of primary production.
- Indicates that chlorophyll content is a target variable for remote-sensing-based monitoring.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"* A.A. Gitelson _et al._ ### Relationship between gross primary production and chlorophyll content in crops: Implications for the synoptic monitoring of vegetation"
Why this source?
- References a work by Gitelson on the relationship between gross primary production and chlorophyll content with implications for synoptic (satellite-scale) monitoring.
- Shows that chlorophyll content is considered in remote-sensing research literature.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"* A.A. Gitelson _et al._ ### Relationship between gross primary production and chlorophyll content in crops: Implications for"
Why this source?
- Cites the same Gitelson relationship between gross primary production and chlorophyll content, tying it to remote sensing monitoring.
- Reinforces that chlorophyll content is used in studies supporting satellite remote sensing of vegetation function.
- Explicitly links canopy chlorophyll content in maize to remote sensing of primary production.
- Indicates that chlorophyll content is a target variable for remote-sensing-based monitoring.
- References a work by Gitelson on the relationship between gross primary production and chlorophyll content with implications for synoptic (satellite-scale) monitoring.
- Shows that chlorophyll content is considered in remote-sensing research literature.
- Cites the same Gitelson relationship between gross primary production and chlorophyll content, tying it to remote sensing monitoring.
- Reinforces that chlorophyll content is used in studies supporting satellite remote sensing of vegetation function.
Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 13: Our Home: Earth, a Unique Life Sustaining Planet > Probe and ponder > p. 211
Strength: 5/5
“The image in the beginning page was taken by an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Earth Observation Satellite and made by combining nearly 3000 smaller images, like pieces of a mosaic. Although it looks beautiful, it's a false colour image, where scientists use different colours to show different types of information. These satellite images help us study plants on land and tiny organisms in the ocean, and can even detect things like ocean temperature, oil spills, and wind direction. In this chapter, we will uncover the unique conditions that make Earth the perfect home for living beings.”
Why relevant
States that satellite images (including false-colour composites) are used to study plants on land and show different types of information.
How to extend
A student could infer that different colours represent spectral responses of vegetation and, using known links between chlorophyll and spectral reflectance, explore whether specific bands/indexes correlate with chlorophyll.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > Principles of watershed management are: > p. 27
Strength: 4/5
“Comprehensive planning for water management starts with obtaining suitable maps through remote sensing techniques. Remote sensing provides a synoptic picture of the watershed for characterisation of natural resources, land, water, vegetation and inter-relationship between them. Besides mapping natural resources, satellite imagery can give the estimate of the area covered by major”
Why relevant
Says remote sensing provides a synoptic picture for characterisation of vegetation and mapping natural resources.
How to extend
From the idea that satellites characterise vegetation over areas, one could extend to using spectral measurements from those sensors to estimate vegetation properties like chlorophyll.
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 11: Agriculture - Part II > Smart Farming > p. 359
Strength: 4/5
“These robots can also be used in harvesting and lifting. Heavy farming vehicles can also be navigated from the comfort of homes through phone screens to perform tasks and GPS can track their positions at every time.• Drones equipped with sensors and cameras are used for imaging, mapping and surveying the farms. They can be remotely controlled or they can fly automatically through software-controlled flight plans in their embedded systems, working in coordination with sensors and GPS. From the drone data, insights can be drawn regarding crop health, irrigation, spraying, planting, soil and field, plant counting and yield prediction and much more.• IoT based remote sensing utilizes sensors placed along the farms like weather stations for gathering data which is transmitted to analytical tool for analysis.”
Why relevant
Notes drones and sensors provide data from which 'insights regarding crop health' can be drawn.
How to extend
If crop health can be inferred from spectral/imagery data at close range, a student could reason that similar remotely sensed spectral indicators from satellites might estimate biochemical measures such as chlorophyll.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > SARASWATI-THE MYSTERY OF A LOST RIVER > p. 27
Strength: 4/5
“palaeochannels as a migratory river. Its initial course flowed close to the Aravalli ranges and the successive six stages took west and north-westerly shifts till it coincides with the dry bed of the Ghaggar River. The course of the Saraswati River in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan is clearly highlighted in the LANDSAT imagery by the vegetation cover thriving on the rich residual loamy soil along its earlier course. The digital enhancement studies of IRS-1C data (1995), combined with RADAR imagery from European Remote Sensing Satellite ERS 1/2, identified subsurface features and recognised the palaeochannels beneath the sands of the Thar Desert.”
Why relevant
Describes LANDSAT and IRS data highlighting vegetation patterns (e.g., palaeochannels) using imagery and digital enhancement.
How to extend
Because multispectral satellite data reveal vegetation patterns, one might extend that spectral signals could be processed to estimate vegetation properties tied to chlorophyll concentration.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 13: Plant Diversity of India > Leaves: > p. 204
Strength: 4/5
“• They are the part of the tree that converts energy into food (sugar). • Leaves are the food factories of a tree. • They contain a very special substance called chlorophyll. It is chlorophyll that gives leaves their green colour. • Chlorophyll is an extremely important biomolecule, used in photosynthesis. Leaves use the sun's energy to convert carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water from the soil into sugar and oxygen.”
Why relevant
Explains chlorophyll is the green pigment in leaves and central to photosynthesis (gives leaves their green colour).
How to extend
Knowing chlorophyll affects leaf colour/reflectance, a student could connect leaf reflectance in visible/near-IR bands (captured by remote sensors) to possible chlorophyll estimation.
States that satellite images (including false-colour composites) are used to study plants on land and show different types of information.
A student could infer that different colours represent spectral responses of vegetation and, using known links between chlorophyll and spectral reflectance, explore whether specific bands/indexes correlate with chlorophyll.
Says remote sensing provides a synoptic picture for characterisation of vegetation and mapping natural resources.
From the idea that satellites characterise vegetation over areas, one could extend to using spectral measurements from those sensors to estimate vegetation properties like chlorophyll.
Notes drones and sensors provide data from which 'insights regarding crop health' can be drawn.
If crop health can be inferred from spectral/imagery data at close range, a student could reason that similar remotely sensed spectral indicators from satellites might estimate biochemical measures such as chlorophyll.
Describes LANDSAT and IRS data highlighting vegetation patterns (e.g., palaeochannels) using imagery and digital enhancement.
Because multispectral satellite data reveal vegetation patterns, one might extend that spectral signals could be processed to estimate vegetation properties tied to chlorophyll concentration.
Explains chlorophyll is the green pigment in leaves and central to photosynthesis (gives leaves their green colour).
Knowing chlorophyll affects leaf colour/reflectance, a student could connect leaf reflectance in visible/near-IR bands (captured by remote sensors) to possible chlorophyll estimation.
This tab shows concrete study steps: what to underline in books, how to map current affairs, and how to prepare for similar questions.
Login with Google to unlock study guidance.
Discover the small, exam-centric ideas hidden in this question and where they appear in your books and notes.
Login with Google to unlock micro-concepts.
Access hidden traps, elimination shortcuts, and Mains connections that give you an edge on every question.
Login with Google to unlock The Vault.