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Raster Stack

A collection of raster layers aligned spatially, used for multi-band or multi-temporal analysis (inferred from standard GIS usage).

Raster Stack

How is a Raster Stack defined in GIS?

A raster stack in GIS is a grouping of several raster layers placed on top of one another. Each layer represents a different band or variable, but they all share the same coordinate system, spatial extent, and resolution.


Definition and Goals: A Raster Stack is basically a dataset with multiple layers, each of which represents a distinct kind of spatial information. It is frequently employed in change detection, remote sensing, and multivariate analysis.


Important Features:


  • Every raster in the stack needs to be spatially aligned (same cell alignment, resolution, and extent).

  • Every layer keeps its pixel values, which can be used to represent various variables (such as temperature, NDVI, and rainfall) or spectral bands (like red, green, blue, and NIR).

  • All layers can be analysed simultaneously with a stack.


In GIS, a raster stack is an organized collection of raster layers with similar spatial characteristics that allow for integrated spatial analysis of several datasets. It is extensively utilized in geographic modelling and remote sensing to handle and process intricate, multi-layered data.

Related Keywords

Grid-based spatial data is handled by raster data processing, which analyses and transforms pixel values to identify patterns for environmental research, remote sensing, and GIS.

Multiband raster analysis examines land cover, vegetation, water, and urban areas using imagery with several spectral bands. It makes precise insights possible for agricultural, environmental monitoring, and change detection.

In order to improve data quality, satellite image stacking is a remote sensing technique that combines many satellite photos of the same region, frequently acquired at various times or from slightly different angles. This technique lowers noise, enhances image quality, and can show minute variations in vegetation, land cover, or urban growth over time. Change detection research, precision agriculture, and environmental monitoring all make extensive use of it.

The technique of superimposing two or more raster datasets to produce a new layer that incorporates their data is known as raster layer combination. This method, which combines information like elevation, land cover, and vegetation indices, is frequently used in GIS for analyses including environmental modelling, change detection, and suitability mapping.

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