A preliminary approach to the examination of population-environment dynamics in the United States/Mexico border region using integrated remote sensing and field data

Since new international trade regulations and reforms affect economic and social change, it is very important to establish frames of reference within which current and future conditions can be compared with a baseline set of conditions. In this project the reference frame is not limited to facts and figures, but uses remote sensing data to observe change in a spatial context. The present study discusses ways in which spatial information, some already compiled and some yet to be collected, could best be integrated in order to establish a monitoring system that would allow detection of the most important social, economic and environmental changes occurring in the border region, compared them in order to determine their state of transition and to model them in order to predict changes, anticipate undesirable conditions and to suggest policy prescriptions to prevent correct or improve a given situation. Remote sensing, transition theory and computer simulations are the tools on which the project is based. This paper also describes the type of information that can be gathered by using off the shelf images. The authors conclude that a great deal of information can be obtained. This paper also addresses the fact that higher resolution, both spatial and spectral, could greatly improve the quality and quantity of information while remaining very cost effective. The possibility of projecting the information obtained to other regions where conditions and local laws and regulations are similar, is also explored.