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Center For Grassland Studies Newsletter, Summer 2001, Volume 7, No. 3

Center for Grassland Studies: Newsletters

The Lesser Prairie-chickens of Kansas’ Sandsage Prairies by Paul Johnsgard, Regents Professor/Professor Emeritus, School of Biological Sciences, UNL

Revisiting Nebraska's Mammals by Patricia Freeman, University of Nebraska State Museum

CGS Citizens Advisory Council Tours Southeast Nebraska

Beef and Forage Specialists Tour Nebraska Sand Hills

Don’t Forget the Nebraska Grazing Conference!

Landscape Ecology Symposium in April 2002

Grazing Sudangrass, Pearl Millet, and Sorghum Hybrids by Bruce Anderson, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, UNL

CGS 2001 Seminar Series

Recognition Of Plants Using A Stochastic L-System Model, Ashok Samal, Brian Peterson, David J. Holliday

School of Computing: Faculty Publications

Recognition of natural shapes like leaves, plants, and trees, has proven to be a challenging problem in computer vision. The members of a class of natural objects are not identical to each other. They are similar, have similar features, but are not exactly the same. Most existing techniques have not succeeded in effectively recognizing these objects. One of the main reasons is that the models used to represent them are inadequate themselves. In this research we use a fractal model, which has been very effective in modeling natural shapes, to represent and then guide the recognition of a class of …

Reflectance Spectral Features And Detection Of Superficial Scald–Induced Browning In Storing Apple Fruit, Olga B. Chivkunova, Alexei E. Solovchenko, S. G. Sokolova, Mark N. Merzlyak, I. V. Reshetnikova, Anatoly A. Gitelson

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Reflectance (R) spectra of Antonovka apples in the visible and near infrared ranges of the spectrum were studied during fruit storage. Specific spectral features of reflectance of healthy ripening fruits and those arising as a result of superficial scald development and browning induced artificially by n–hexane treatment were revealed and compared. Both superficial scald and n–hexane treatment brought about a strong decrease of reflectance, especially, in the green near 550 nm. During natural fruit ripening in the absence of superficial scald development, a high correlation was found between reflectances at 550 and 700 nm. In contrast, as a …

Towards Automatic Detection Of Erroneous Measurement Results In A Gravity Database, Qian Wen, Ann Q. Gates, Jan Beck, Vladik Kreinovich, George R. Keller

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

Geospatial databases often contain erroneous measurements. For some such databases such as gravity databases, the known methods of detecting erroneous measurements -- based on regression analysis -- do not work well. As a result, to clean such databases, experts use manual methods which are very time-consuming. In this paper, we propose a (natural) "localized" version of regression analysis as a technique for automatic cleaning. We illustrate the efficiency of this technique on the example of the gravity database.

Localized Regression Analysis As A Method For Detecting Erroneous Measurements In Geospatial Databases, With Application To Gravity Databases, Qian Wen, Nigel Hicks, George R. Keller, Ann Q. Gates, Vladik Kreinovich

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

Geospatial databases generally consist of measurements related to points (or pixels in the case of raster data), lines, and polygons. In recent years, the size and complexity of these databases have increased significantly and they often contain erroneous measurements or noise. In this paper, we address the problem of detecting erroneous and suspicious values in a database consisting of point measurements. We use a database of measurements of anomalies in the Earth's gravity field that we have complied as a test case, and we found that the standard methods of detecting erroneous measurements - based on regression analysis - do …

Volume 21, Number 2/3, June/September 2001 Olac Newsletter, Kay G. Johnson, Mary Konkel, Jay Weitz, Barbara Vaughan, Nancy B. Olson

OLAC Newsletters

Digitized June/September 2001 issue of the OLAC Newsletter.

Use Of Remote-Sensing Imagery To Estimate Corn Grain Yield, J.F. Shanahan, James S. Schepers, Dennis D. Francis, Gary E. Varvel, Wallace Wilhelm, James M. Tringe, Michael R. Schlemmer, David J. Major

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Remote sensing—the process of acquiring information about objects from remote platforms such as ground-based booms, aircraft, or satellites—is a potentially important source of data for site-specific crop management, providing both spatial and temporal information. Our objective was to use remotely sensed imagery to compare different vegetation indices as a means of assessing canopy variation and its resultant impact on corn (Zea mays L.) grain yield. Treatments consisted of five N rates and four hybrids, which were grown under irrigation near Shelton, NE on a Hord silt loam in 1997 and 1998. Imagery data with 0.5-m spatial resolution were collected …

Ontology-Driven Geographic Information Systems, Frederico Torres Fonseca

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Information integration is the combination of different types of information in a framework so that it can be queried, retrieved, and manipulated. Integration of geographic data has gained in importance because of the new possibilities arising from the interconnected world and the increasing availability of geographic information. Many times the need for information is so pressing that it does not matter if some details are lost, as long as integration is achieved. To integrate information across computerized information systems it is necessary first to have explicit formalizations of the mental concepts that people have about the real world. Furthermore, these …

Gichd Evaluation Of The German Project Co-Ordination, Eric M. Filippino, Mark Yarmoshuk

Global CWD Repository

After discussion with the German Government the terms of reference were decided to be the following: The evaluation team was to evaluate the German Project Coordination pilot project in Cambodia. The GPC Project is a staff development project in which Cambodian staff are to be trained in various information and TM disciplines. The IM people are intended to fit into an information cell that manages a “National Integrated Database” held and managed by CMAA. The TM personnel, who will eventually serve as part of an overall QA/QC system will ostensibly also fit into a CMAA cell of some type. It …

Strategies For Handling Spatial Uncertainty Due To Discretization, Thomas Windholz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Geographic information systems (GISs) allow users to analyze geographic phenomena within areas of interest that lead to an understanding of their relationships and thus provide a helpful tool in decision-making. Neglecting the inherent uncertainties in spatial representations may result in undesired misinterpretations. There are several sources of uncertainty contributing to the quality of spatial data within a GIS: imperfections (e.g., inaccuracy and imprecision) and effects of discretization. An example for discretization in the thematic domain is the chosen number of classes to represent a spatial phenomenon (e.g., air temperature). In order to improve the utility of a GIS an inclusion …

Terrain Analysis Using Digital Elevation Models, David G. Tarboton, Daniel Ames

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Focus, Larry Burke (Editor)

FOCUS on Boise State

Nourished by its urban setting, Boise State University is branching out in new directions as one of a growing number of institutions dubbed "metropolitan universities." In this issue of FOCUS, we explore how Boise States ties to the capital city influence both campus and community life, what unique challenges and opportunities a metropolitan university such as ours confronts, and why a diverse population of students chooses to enroll here. Cover illustration by Bill Carman.

Southeast Asia Air Combat Data, Tom Smith

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency's Tom Smith details the United State's efforts to create an informational and relational database for mine/UXO identification in Southeast Asia and its importance in targeting landmines.

Mine/Uxo Casualties And Casualty Surveillance In Cambodia, Reuben Mccarthy

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Handicap International's Reuben McCarthy details the combined efforts of HI, the Cambodian Red Cross and UNICEF in Cambodia. Putting faces with statistics, he gives the how, when and where of mine/UXO incidents in the country.

Korea United: North & South Set Aside Differences To Demine, Keith Feigenbaum

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Following a historic summit between leaders from North and South Korea, efforts are underway to clear a path through the DMZ. In the South, efforts are also being made to clear the paths civilians use in areas outside the DMZ.

Error Characterization Of Spectral Products Using A Factorial Designed Experiment, John Klatt

Theses

The main objective of any imaging system is to collect information. Information is conveyed in remotely sensed imagery by the spatial and spectral distribution of the energy reflected/emitted from the earth. This energy is subsequently captured by an overhead imaging system. Post-processing algorithms, which rely on this spectral and spatial energy distribution, allow us to extract useful information from the collected data. Typically, spectral processing algorithms include such procedures as target detection, thematic mapping and spectral pixel unmixing. The final spectral products from these algorithms include detection maps, classification maps and endmember fraction maps. The spatial resolution, spectral sampling and …

A Model To Predict Diffraction Attenuation Resulting From Signal Propagation Over Terrain In Low Earth Orbit Satellite Systems, Peter R. Pollock

Theses and Dissertations

This study focused on multipath communication propagation impairments to the LEOSAT communications channel. Two terrain diffraction models, based on the geometric theory of diffraction (GTD), were developed and applied to the space-to-ground communications channel. These models were used to predict the impact of terrain on the performance of three LEOSAT communication systems with designs based on the Iridium, Globalstar and Orbcomm implementations. The study verified the feasibility of applying models based on the GTD rather than empirical or statistical models, to approximate the effect of propagating signals over terrain. Both models confirm that signal blockage and multipath propagation, due to …

Um Project Teams With Forest Service To Gather Lewis And Clark Data, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of University Relations

University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present

No abstract provided.

Volume 38, Number 23: February 9, 2001, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Volume 38, Number 23: February 9, 2001, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Water Current, Volume 33, No. 1. February 2001.

Water Current Newsletter

• Researchers Pool Talents To Protect Nebraska’s Premier Trout Fishing Locale by Steve Ress

• From the Director

• Meet the Faculty

• LB699 As A Sales Tax For Natural Resources Programs by Dean E. Edson

• 30th Annual Water Conference Will be Groundwater Quality Monitoring Workshop

• Water News Briefs

Maine Perspective, V 12, I 9, Department Of Public Affairs, University Of Maine

General University of Maine Publications

The Maine Perspective, a publication for the University of Maine, was a campus newsletter produced by the Department of Public Affairs which eventually transformed into the Division of Marketing and Communication. Regular columns included the UM Calendar, Ongoing Events, People in Perspective, Look Who's on Campus, In Focus, and Along the Mall. The weekly newsletter also included position openings on campus as well as classified ads. Coverage in this issue includes William Cohen's donation of his defense department papers to the University; UMaine's role in the Reading Recovery program in Maine schools; the growing popularity of Alternative Spring Break; University …

Mini-Proposal For (Morres) To Usda, Hank Lehrer, Brent D. Bowen

Department of Agriculture (USDA)

S1 E Mini-Proposal for (MORRES) to USDA 2001

Nase Ne Space Grant / Epscor Native American Outreach: Tracing A Successful Nasa / Tribal Partnership, Hank R. Lehrer, Ed Zendajas

National Aeronautics and Space Administratin (NASA) and Space Grant (SG)

The involvement of the NASA Nebraska Space Grant (NNSG) with the Native American community began over 4 years ago. Primary participants have included faculty and researchers from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO); administration, faculty, and staff of 4 Nebraska reservations schools and 2 tribal colleges, and close to 1,000 Native American youngsters. Over these past years, numerous activities and projects have been undertaken; all have been exceedingly successful. Included among these programs and initiatives are educational, motivational, and infrastructure-building activities.

E-Spatial Technology For Spatial Analysis And Decision Making In Web-Based Land Information Management Systems, James Carswell

Articles

In this paper we describe e-SpatialTM technology, comprising an innovative software solution for deploying integrated web-based spatial applications within Oracle 9i Database environments. The two main components of the solution are the iSMARTTM database development technology and the i-SpatialTM Information Server (iSIS). This technology allows Oracle users to build and deploy both spatially enabled and standard Internet applications without requiring any application-specific GIS source code. It can be deployed on any Oracle supported hardware platform and on any device running a Java Virtual Machine, thus providing full support for wireless, PDAs and other mobile devices. In particular, we describe a …

Non-Destructive And Remote Sensing Techniques For Estimation Of Vegetation Status, Anatoly A. Gitelson, M. N. Merzlyak, Y. Zur, R. Stark, U. Gritz

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

The goal of this work is to develop non-destructive techniques that can conveniently, rapidly and accurately assess crop physiological status and objectively evaluate plant responses to environmental factors, both natural and anthropogenic. High spectral resolution reflectance and absorption spectra of different and unrelated plant species were analyzed to determine spectral variability and information content in the visible and near-infrared spectrum at leaf and canopy levels. Techniques were developed to quantitatively retrieve chlorophyll, carotenoid and anthocyanin content from reflectance in a wide range of pigment content and composition.

Techniques for vegetation fraction retrieval those based on channels in visible range of …

Remote Estimation Of Vegetation Fraction In Corn Canopies, D. Rundquist, Anatoly A. Gitelson, D. Derry, J. Ramirez, R. Stark, Galina P. Keydan

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

The aim of the paper was to test two new techniques that make use of channels in the visible range of the spectrum only to estimate vegetation fraction in corn canopies. High spectral resolution radiometers were employed to measure spectral reflectance, and the information content of spectra was investigated. Radiances in spectral channels of MODIS and MERIS were used to calculate Visible Atmospherically Resistant Indices, VARI_green=(R_green- R_red)/(R_green+R_red-R_blue) and VARI₇₀₀=(R₇₀₀-1.7*R_red+0.7*R_blue)/(R₇₀₀+2.3*R_red-1.3*R_blue). The indices allowed for estimation …

Using Satellite Remote Sensing To Model And Map The Distribution Of Bicknell's Thrush (Catharus Bicknelli) In The White Mountains Of New Hampshire, Stephen Roy Hale

Doctoral Dissertations

Landsat-7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper satellite imagery was used to model Bicknell's Thrush (Catharus bicknelli) distribution in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The proof-of-concept was established for using satellite imagery in species-habitat modeling, where for the first time imagery spectral features were used to estimate a species-habitat model variable. The model predicted rising probabilities of thrush presence with decreasing dominant vegetation height, increasing elevation, and decreasing distance to nearest Fir Sapling cover type. To solve the model at all locations required regressor estimates at every pixel, which were not available for the dominant vegetation height and elevation variables. Topographically normalized …

Development, Testing, And Implementation Of The Temple-Inland, Inc. Sustainable Forest Management System (Tinsms), 2001, Arthur Temple College Of Forestry And Agriculture

eBooks

No abstract provided.

Geospatial Analysis Of Reflectance And Ndvi Values In The Angelina Forest Ecosystem, Peter P. Siska, I-Kuai Hung

Faculty Presentations

The aerial photographs and subsequently remote sensed imagery have been used for decades in classified landcover mapping, forest inventory, management, and evaluation of renewable resources. However, the implementation of geostatistical methods in remote sensing is of a newer date. In this study the variogram modeling is used to analyze the spatial structure of a forest canopy. The biomass and wood production can be evaluated in the studied area using NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) values and kriging. The study area is located within the Angelina National Forest in the Neches River Basin. The Angelina Forest is an important part of …