Book excerpt: Detailed and accurate information on the spatial distribution of individual species over large spatial extents and over multiple time periods is critical for rapid response and effective management of environmental change. The twenty first century has witnessed a rapid development in both fine resolution sensors and statistical theories and techniques. These innovations hold great potential for improved accuracy of species mapping using remote sensing. Fine Resolution Remote Sensing of Species in Terrestrial and Coastal Ecosystems is a collection of eight cutting-edge studies of fine spatial resolution remote sensing, including species mapping of biogenic and coral reefs, seagrasses, salt and freshwater marshes, and grasslands. The studies illustrate the power of fine resolution imagery for species identification, as well as the value of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery as an ideal source of high-quality reference data at the species level. The studies also highlight the benefit of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data for species identification, and how this varies depending on the species of interest as well as the nature of the context in which the species is found. The broad range of applications explored in the book demonstrates the major contribution of remote sensing to species-level terrestrial and coastal ecosystem studies as well as the potential for future advances. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of the International Journal of Remote Sensing.