What distinguishes "surveillance" from "reconnaissance" in geospatial tasks?

The distinction between "surveillance" and "reconnaissance" in geospatial tasks is primarily based on their focus and the nature of their operations. Surveillance involves continuous monitoring of a specific area or target over time, meaning it gathers data consistently to assess activities, changes, or threats within that scope. This ongoing nature allows for a broad understanding of the situation in real-time.

On the other hand, reconnaissance typically entails targeted and often one-time assessments of specific locations or objectives. Its focus is narrower and often involves collecting detailed information about particular sites to support military operations or intelligence requirements. This means reconnaissance tasks are more structured, planned missions that seek to acquire information about specific entities or areas of interest.

Understanding these definitions clarifies why the selected answer highlights reconnaissance as focused while surveillance encompasses broader and ongoing activity. This distinction is crucial in operational planning and intelligence gathering in geospatial contexts, enabling informed decision-making based on the granularity of the information required.