@unpublished{Nault2026,
title = {Exploring Essential Variables for Landscape Characterization through Earth Observation: An Insightful Review},
author = {Isabelle Nault and Vincent Delbar and Samuel Alleaume and Agnès Bégué and Anne-Elisabeth Laques and Louise Lemettais and Sandra Luque},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05590520/},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-04-13},
abstract = {Analysis and characterization of landscapes are crucial for effective planning and management strategies to ensure sustainable land and natural resource use in particular within the framework of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Developing multidisciplinary strategies for landscape analysis is essential, given the inherent complexity and variability of landscapes. We aim to investigate how Earth Observation (EO) related techniques for identifying, mapping and delineating landscapes and landscape elements have evolved over time. In particular, we are interested in the use of RS-ELVs (Remote Sensing-enabled Essential Landscape Variables), which are used to provide insights into the prevalence and patterns of variables considered critical for describing and characterising landscapes using EO technologies in particular remote sensing. This is a bibliometric analysis conducted to systematically reviewing and analyzing scientific literature . The analysis was conducted to identify publications relating to remote sensing and landscape indicators, particularly those concerning landscape monitoring and extent. We used first the Scopus results analysis tool and the online tool SciVal for a global analysis of the corpus. We then used CorTexT Manager, that is a text analysis platform designed to process and visualize scientific and technical information. The analysis of remote sensing studies focusing on landscapes revealed a significant growth in the number of relevant publications from 1990 to 2021. Initially comprising just 3 references in 1990, the Remote Sensing-Landscape (RS-L) corpus expanded to 353 references by 2021, marking a hundredfold increase. Although growth stagnated after 2009, a renewed increase was observed from 2017 onward, coinciding with a productive period for remote sensing research in general. Despite fluctuations, the proportion of landscape-focused publications within the broader field of remote sensing has remained relatively stable since the late 2000s. Remote sensing and landscape emerged as the predominant terms in our study, representing the largest category of publications. Conversely, urban studies featured less prominently, with even fewer contributions in agriculture and hydrology. Publications focusing on other related research topics often emphasized spatiotemporal analysis. The availability of vast image archives such as Landsat and the deployment of satellite constellations like Copernicus have significantly bolstered global ecosystem and landscape monitoring efforts. Constructing effective queries and meticulously cleaning data were pivotal for ensuring accuracy and relevance. While our computational tools offered substantial capabilities, the human element and expert consultation were indispensable for the preparation of data, essential for the success of our analysis. },
note = {hal-05590520 , version 1},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {forthcoming},
tppubtype = {unpublished}
}
