In raster data, what does resolution specifically relate to?

In raster data, resolution specifically relates to cell size, which denotes the dimensions of each pixel or cell in the grid that makes up the raster layer. Smaller cell sizes allow for more detailed representations of features within the data, as each pixel can capture more precise information about the landscape or subject being mapped. Conversely, larger cell sizes can lead to loss of detail, as multiple features may be represented within a single pixel, making it difficult to distinguish between them.

While the quality of image data can be influenced by factors such as resolution, it is not synonymous with resolution itself. Similarly, the number of colors represented in a raster image pertains to the color depth or bit depth of the data, which determines how many different colors can be displayed, rather than the spatial detail the raster can capture. The texture of the data generally refers to the visual pattern or quality of the raster imagery, which can be an outcome of resolution but is not a direct definition of it. Thus, cell size is the most accurate and specific interpretation of resolution in the context of raster data.