McDougal Littell - Biology

Earth Imaging and Remote Sensing

It might seem strange that earth imaging would make the list of the top biological breakthroughs. But, since remote sensing technology allows us to create and analyze detailed pictures of the Earth, we can now better understand large, complex ecosystems such as the Amazon rainforest or the Atlantic Ocean basin. This technology is providing an entirely new window on how living systems work on a planetary scale, which in turn, not only gives us a way to understand how communities of organisms and ecosystems function, but also provides essential tools for understanding the impact of global climate change.