FAIR perspective towards the development of Remote Sensing Imagery Metadata: A Comparative Study Using ISO 19115-1 and ISO 19115-2
Ting-Yu Chang(a*), Jung-Hong Hong(b)

a)Graduate Student, Department of Geomatics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
*tingyu217kk[at]gmail.com
b)Professor, Department of Geomatics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan

Abstract

The FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles are increasingly recognized as essential components in the dissemination and application of scientific data across various professional fields. Remote sensing imagery is crucial for environmental monitoring, as it provides vital spatiotemporal data. However, the degree to which the inherent characteristics of remote sensing data can adhere to the FAIR principles necessitates further exploration. Specifically, achieving interoperability and reusability hinges on the availability of metadata that comprehensively conveys information regarding acquisition context, sensor specifications, spatial frameworks, and processing lineage. This study investigates how the established schema of ISO 19115-1 and its imagery extension, ISO 19115-2, can facilitate the creation of metadata structures that align with FAIR principles for remote sensing images. Through an analysis of metadata standards mapping, we evaluate whether the selected metadata elements offer a structured and machine-actionable framework for detailing image-specific attributes. We assess their effectiveness in promoting semantic clarity, long-term consistency, and platform-independent integration, with a particular focus on enhancing interoperability and reusability across diverse systems and applications. Additionally, we discuss how the proposed metadata can improve the interoperable use of remote sensing images in environmental monitoring and change detection efforts. Our findings underscore the significance of metadata standards not only as documentation tools but also as facilitators of FAIR data governance. By highlighting the importance of interoperability and reusability over time and across platforms, this study contributes to the development of transparent, standardized, and application-ready geospatial data infrastructures.

Keywords: FAIR Principles, Remote Sensing Imagery, ISO 19115

Topic: Topic D: Geospatial Data Integration