A method of sensor location selection is introduced for distributed parameter systems. In this method, the sensitivities of spatial outputs to model parameters are computed by a model and transformed via continuous wavelet transforms into the time-scale domain to characterize the shape attributes of output sensitivities and accentuate their differences. Regions are then sought in the time-scale plane wherein the wavelet coefficient of an output-sensitivity surpasses all the others’ as indication of the output sensitivity’s uniqueness. This method yields a comprehensive account of identifiability each output provides for the model parameters as the basis of output selection. This output selection strategy is evaluated for a numerical case of pollutant dispersion by advection and discussion in a two-dimensional area.