Connecting place from Space: The role of sense of place in Earth observation

Keywords: Earth observation, remote sensing, sense of place, perception, communities, engagement, collaboration, intentional science
Abstract Type: Poster Abstract

Abstract

Intentional Earth observation (EO) science is enhanced by considering the implications that accompany visualizing the land people live on or use. People form emotions, attachments, and perceptions of their physical environment, otherwise known as sense of place (SoP). Learning about the relationships and contexts people experience with the regions they study is important to advancing spatial comprehension, developing a detailed understanding of the area and avoiding gaps in information between scientists and the community. Despite EO’s thematic proximity to SoP, few papers in EO literature acknowledge the potential contributions SoP can provide to EO, although some studies inadvertently allude to SoP concepts. This paper seeks to bridge the gap between EO and SoP through a comprehensive literature review that identifies common themes in EO literature that indirectly address SoP’s intrinsic connection to EO studies. We further analyze how the EO studies do or do not engage and interact with local communities within their study regions. We find that language regarding site communities and the preferred practices for scientists collaborating with these communities has evolved through time. We also find that while there are few “ideal” examples of inclusive EO studies, the majority exercised passive collaboration, though some excluded local community members completely. This review articulates the importance of including SoP discussions in EO studies to advance research that considers the knowledge of local communities and connects pixels to people.