This paper summarizes the development and application of spatial statistical models in satellite optical remote sensing. The paper focuses on the development of a conceptual model that includes the measurement and sampling processes inherent in remote sensing. We organized this paper into five main sections: introducing the basis of remote sensing, including measurement and sampling; spatial variation, including variation through the object-based data model; advances in spatial statistical modelling; machine learning and explainable AI; a hierarchical ontological model of the nature of remotely sensed scenes. The paper finishes with a summary. We conclude that optical remote sensing provides an important source of data and information for the development of spatial statistical techniques that, in turn, serve as powerful tools to obtain important information from the images.
This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Spatial Statistics. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Spatial Statistics, 50, 100646, 2022 DOI: 10.1016/j.spasta.2022.100646
