Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Estimation Of Chlorophyll-A Concentration In Case Ii Waters Using Modis And Meris Data—Successes And Challenges, Wesley J. Moses, Anatoly A. Gitelson, V. Povazhnyy

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

We present and discuss here the results of our work using MODIS (moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer) and MERIS (medium resolution imaging spectrometer) satellite data to estimate the concentration of chlorophyll-a (chl-a) in reservoirs of the Dnieper River and the Sea of Azov, which are typical case II waters, i.e., turbid and productive. Our objective was to test the potential of satellite remote sensing as a tool for near-real-time monitoring of chl-a distribution in these water bodies. We tested the performance of a recently developed three-band model, and its special case, a two-band model, which use the …

An Evaluation Of The Effect Of Land Use/Cover Change On The Surface Temperature Of Lokoja Town, Nigeria, Fanan Ujoh Mr, Olarewaju O. Ifatimehin Mr, John Y. Magaji Dr

Dr. Fanan Ujoh

This research integrated remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to identified land use/cover types in Lokoja, including their temporal transformation and association with surface temperatures from the LandSat TM and LandSat ETM imageries of 1987 and 2001 respectively. As the built-up area increased in size (2667.6%) so was the surface temperature (6.48oC), vacant land (872%: 9.65oC), cultivated land (104.4%: 1.2oC) and water bodies (64.3%:0.94oC) while vegetation cover increased by 2.44oC while its area extent decreased (316.7%). These changes were responsible for the rise in the mean surface temperature from 38.39oC in 1987 to 42.61oC in 2001, indicating a 4.22oC …

Spatial-Temporal Responses Of Louisiana Forests To Climate Change And Hurricane Disturbance, Fugui Wang

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation research focused on three questions: (1) what is the current carbon stock in Louisiana’s forest ecosystems? (2) how will the biomass carbon stock respond to future climate change? and (3) how vulnerable are the coastal forest resources to natural disturbances, such as hurricanes? The research utilized a geographic information system, remote sensing techniques, ecosystem modeling, and statistical approaches with existing data and in-situ measurements. Future climate changes were adapted from predictions by the Community Climate System Model on the basis of low (B1), moderate (A1B), and high (A2) greenhouse gas emission scenarios. The study on forest carbon assessment …

Soil Moisture And Water Stage Estimation Using Precipitation Radar, Sumit Puri

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In south-western United States, soil moisture data is important for drought studies in the region which is experiencing a drought for many years, whereas in South Florida, water stage data is required by hydrologists to monitor the hydrological flow in wetlands. Soil moisture data and water stage data are not sufficiently available due to sparse monitoring stations. Installation of dense measuring stations over an extended area is costly and labor intensive. Therefore, there is a need to develop an alternative method of measuring soil moisture and water stage. Microwave remote sensing has proven to be a useful tool in the …

Optimization Of Check Dams Through The Application Of Advanced Technologies, Praveen Jha Dr

Praveen Jha Dr

Scientific planning for conserving water and while minimizing the financial resources requirement for its implementation could be done through application of advanced technological programs developed by the author. Three state-of-art geo-spatial programs - Multi-Algorithm Automation Program (MAAP), Water Analysis Program (WAP) and Check Dam Optimization Program (CDOP) - would be used. MAAP produces land use land cover (lulc) map primarily by undertaking Digital Image Processing (DIP) of satellite data in an automated fashion using Artificial Intelligence (AI). WAP, a hydrology modeling program, would be used to generate information related to watershed, water flow, water accumulation etc. CDOP, coupled with MAAP …

Using Local Knowledge And Remote Sensing To Map Known And Potential Prairie-Chicken Distribution In Kansas, Michael E. Houts, Randy D. Rodgers, Roger D. Applegate, William H. Busby

The Prairie Naturalist

The greater prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus cupido) and lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) have experienced considerable fluctuations in their range and distribution over time. Having current range maps would help wildlife managers and policy makers with decisions regarding prairie-chicken habitat. To create an updated and accurate map of the Kansas prairie-chicken range, a two-pronged approach was implemented. First, a map of potential habitat was created by using known habitat preferences and avoidance factors. Second, a preliminary map showing the distribution of greater and lesser prairie-chickens was created and mailed to regional experts for comments and edits. The returned edits …

Slides: Water Needs And Strategies For A Sustainable Future, Shaun Mcgrath

Shifting Baselines and New Meridians: Water, Resources, Landscapes, and the Transformation of the American West (Summer Conference, June 4-6)

Presenter: Shaun McGrath, Program Director, Western Governors’ Association

25 slides

Management Of Forests Through The Application Of Advanced Technologies, Praveen Jha Dr

Praveen Jha Dr

Several state-of-art geo-spatial programs developed by the author could be applied to generate technological pathways for providing an integrated solution to the loads of problems in the forests in the most scientific, objective and effective manner so that the management prescriptions incorporating policy interventions may prove to be highly successful. Three state-of-art geo-spatial programs - Multi-Algorithm Automation Program (MAAP), Data Automatic Modification Program (DAMP) and Multi-Stage Simulation Program (MUSSIP) – developed to address the pertinent issues of conservation and sustainability could be used extensively. Based on satellite data, MAAP produces land use land cover (lulc) map of the present period, …

Synoptic Monitoring Of Gross Primary Productivity Of Maize Using Landsat Data, Anatoly A. Gitelson, Andrés Viña, Jeffrey G. Masek, Shashi Verma, Andrew E. Suyker

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

There is a growing interest in monitoring the gross primary productivity (GPP) of crops due mostly to their carbon sequestration potential. Both within- and between-field variability are important components of crop GPP monitoring, particularly for the estimation of carbon budgets. In this letter, we present a new technique for daytime GPP estimation in maize based on the close and consistent relationship between GPP and crop chlorophyll content, and entirely on remotely sensed data. A recently proposed chlorophyll index (CI), which involves green and near-infrared spectral bands, was used to retrieve daytime GPP from Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) data. …

Land Cover Classification And Economic Assessment Of Citrus Groves Using Remote Sensing, Jennifer Gebelein

Jennifer Gebelein

The citrus industry has the second largest impact on Florida's economy, following tourism. Estimation of citrus area coverage and annual forecasts of Florida's citrus production are currently dependent on labor-intensive interpretation of aerial photographs. Remotely sensed data from satellites has been widely applied in agricultural yield estimation and cropland management. Satellite data can potentially be obtained throughout the year, making it especially suitable for the detection of land cover change in agriculture and ...

On The Use Of Modis Evi To Assess Gross Primary Productivity Of North American Ecosystems, Daniel A. Sims, Abdullah Rahman, Vicente D. Cordova, Bassil Z. El-Masri, Dennis D. Baldocchi, Lawrence B. Flanagan, Allen H. Goldstein, David Y. Hollinger, Laurent Misson, Russell K. Monson, Walter C. Oechel, Hans P. Schmid, Steven C. Wofsy, Liukang Xu

School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

[1] Carbon flux models based on light use efficiency (LUE), such as the MOD17 algorithm, have proved difficult to parameterize because of uncertainties in the LUE term, which is usually estimated from meteorological variables available only at large spatial scales. In search of simpler models based entirely on remote‐sensing data, we examined direct relationships between the enhanced vegetation index (EVI) and gross primary productivity (GPP) measured at nine eddy covariance flux tower sites across North America. When data from the winter period of inactive photosynthesis were excluded, the overall relationship between EVI and tower GPP was better than that between …

How Earth Remote Sensing From The International Space Station Complements Current Satellite‐Based Sensors, Jennifer Gebelein, Dean Eppler

Jennifer Gebelein

The International Space Station (ISS) will provide an Earth‐and space‐observing platform that will support sensors built by 16 different countries and deliver data and images for local, regional and global research. When complete, it will be an exceptional platform for conducting remote sensing of the Earth, astrophysics, and space physics research programmes. Additionally, the ISS will operate as a testbed for engineering studies and complex technological developments that will benefit future Earth‐observing capabilities. ...

A Gis And Remote Sensing Based Analysis Of Impervious Surface Influences On Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus Leucocephalus) Nest Presence In The Virginia Portion Of The Chesapeake Bay, Jennifer M. Ciminelli

Theses and Dissertations

GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and remote sensing techniques were used to predict relationships between bald eagle nest presences and land type, distance to land type and impervious surface cover area. Data plots revealed bald eagle nest presence decreases in response to an increase in area of bareland; increases with an increase in area of forested land; decreases with an increase in distance (m) to shoreline, and decreases in response to an increase in area of impervious surfaces. Logistic regression models identified impervious surfaces as an indicator for bald eagle nest presence (P 24% as unsuitable. Unsuitable area covered 17.82% of …

Satellite-Observed Photosynthetic Trends Across Boreal North America Associated With Climate And Fire Disturbance, Scott J. Goetz, Andrew Godard Bunn, Gregory J. Fiske, Richard A. Houghton

Environmental Sciences Faculty and Staff Publications

We analyzed trends in a time series of photosynthetic activity across boreal North America over 22 years (1981 through 2003). Nearly 15% of the region displayed significant trends, of which just over half involved temperature-related increases in growing season length and photosynthetic intensity, mostly in tundra. In contrast, forest areas unaffected by fire during the study period declined in photosynthetic activity and showed no systematic change in growing season length. Stochastic changes across the time series were predominantly associated with a frequent and increasing fire disturbance regime. These trends have implications for the direction of feedbacks to the climate system …

Microwave Backscatter Modeling Of Erg Surfaces In The Sahara Desert, Haroon Stephen, David G. Long

Public Policy and Leadership Faculty Publications

The Sahara Desert includes large expanses of sand dunes called ergs. These dunes are formed and constantly reshaped by prevailing winds. Previous study shows that Saharan ergs exhibit significant radar backscatter (σ°) modulation with azimuth angle (f). We use σ° measurements observed at various incidence angles and f from the NASA Scatterometer (NSCAT), the SeaWinds scatterometer, the ERS scatterometer (ESCAT), and the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission's Precipitation Radar to model the σ° response from sand dunes. Observations reveal a characteristic relationship between the backscatter modulation and the dune type, i.e., the number and orientation of the dune slopes. Sand dunes …

Modeling Microwave Emissions Of Erg Surfaces In The Sahara Desert, Haroon Stephen, David G. Long

Public Policy and Leadership Faculty Publications

Sand seas (ergs) of the Sahara are the most dynamic parts of the desert. Aeolian erosion, transportation, and deposition continue to reshape the surface of the ergs. The large-scale features (dunes) of these bedforms reflect the characteristics of the sand and the long-term wind. Radiometric emissions from the ergs have strong dependence on the surface geometry. We model the erg surface as composed of tilted rough facets. Each facet is characterized by a tilt distribution dependent upon the surface roughness of the facet. The radiometric temperature (T(b)) of ergs is then the weighted sum of the T(b) from all the …

Characterizing The Landscape Dynamics Of An Invasive Plant And Risk Of Invasion Using Remote Sensing, Bethany Bradley, John F. Mustard

Environmental Conservation Faculty Publication Series

Improved understanding of the spatial dynamics of invasive plant species may lead to more effective land management and reduced future invasion. Here, we identified the spatial extents of nonnative cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) in the north central Great Basin using remotely sensed data from Landsat MSS, TM, and ETM+. We compared cheatgrass extents in 1973 and 2001 to six spatially explicit landscape variables: elevation, aspect, hydrographic channels, cultivation, roads, and power lines. In 2001, Cheatgrass was 10% more likely to be found in elevation ranges from 1400 to 1700 m (although the data suggest a preferential invasion into lower elevations by …

Using Remote Sensing And Inclined Drilling To Locate High-Yield Water Wells In The Eastern Kentucky Coal Field, Robert E. Andrews, David R. Wunsch, James S. Dinger, Glenn A. Dunno

Report of Investigations--KGS

The Kentucky Geological Survey has developed a method using lineament analysis in conjunction with inclinced exploration boreholes to identify subsurface fractures in the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field. Wells are then drilled to intersect these fractures, with the hope that the wells will be high yielding (greater than 30 gal/min). Lineaments were selected from Landsat TM imagery, side-looking airborne radar (SLAR) imagery, and two enhanced Landsat TM images for over 6,400 square miles of eastern Kentucky. Lineaments were replotted on 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle maps, and field reconnaissance identified locations where lineaments correlated with straight-line topographic features and fracture zones. Subsquent application …

Assessment Of Groundwater Resources Using Remote Sensing And Gis, Muna Khalil Al Hammadi

Theses

Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing have witnessed an enormous interest in various applications related to geology, hydrology, hydrogeology, and water resources. The use of GIS and remote sensing has become a common practice worldwide. The UAE is no exception. The study of groundwater resources and its sustainability is of prime concern for authorities in the UAE. Although, groundwater may not be suitable, in most cases, for drinking and other potable purposes, it represents the main source for irrigation in the country. About 85% of the total water consumption in the UAE is groundwater.

This study is devoted to the …

Novel Technique For Remote Estimation Of Co2 Flux In Maize, Anatoly A. Gitelson, Shashi B. Verma, Andrés Viña, Donald C. Rundquist, Galina P. Keydan, Bryan Leavitt, Timothy J. Arkebauer, George G. Burba, Andrew E. Suyker

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

There is considerable interest in assessing the magnitude of carbon sources and sinks for agricultural lands, grasslands, and forests. In this paper, we propose a novel technique to remotely assess CO₂ fluxes in maize using reflectances (ρ) in two spectral channels either in the green around 550 nm or in the red edge near 700 nm and the NIR (beyond 750 nm). Differences of reciprocal reflectances [(ρ_Green)^-1 - (ρ_NIR)^-1] and [(ρ_RedEdge)^-1- (ρ_NIR)^-1] accounted for more than 90 percent of the variability in mid-day canopy …

Remote Estimation Of Leaf Area Index And Green Leaf Biomass In Maize Canopies, Anatoly A. Gitelson, Andrés Viña, Timothy J. Arkebauer, Donald C. Rundquist, Galina P. Keydan, Bryan Leavitt

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Leaf area index (LAI) is an important variable for climate modeling, estimates of primary production, agricultural yield forecasting, and many other diverse studies. Remote sensing provides a considerable potential for estimating LAI at local to regional and global scales. Several spectral vegetation indices have been proposed, but their capacity to estimate LAI is highly reduced at moderate-to- high LAI. In this paper, we propose a technique to estimate LAI and green leaf biomass remotely using reflectances in two spectral channels either in the green around 550 nm, or at the red edge near 700 nm, and in the NIR (beyond …

Remote Monitoring Of Selected Ground-Water Dominated Lakes In The Nebraska Sand Hills, David C. Gosselin, Donald C. Rundquist, Stuart K. Mcfeeters

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

The Landsat-Multispectral Scanner (MSS) data were used to measure lake area fluctuations (1972-1989) for 130 groundwater dominated lakes in the Western Lakes Region of the Nebraska Sand Hills. In general, the pattern shown in lake area hydrographs was similar to that for in-situ lake elevations. In-situ lake-elevation data verify that remote monitoring of surface- area fluctuations, even at relatively coarse spatial resolution, is not only practical and useful, but also it elucidates the hydrologic characteristics of groundwater-dominated lakes of the Sand Hills. The apparent differences in behavior between lakes in the northern and southern portions of the study area may …

Detecting Fire And Grazing Patterns In Tallgrass Prairie Using Spectral Mixture Analysis, Carol A. Wessman, C Ann Bateson, Tracy Benning

Environmental Science

Global grasslands are typically under management practices (such as fire and grazing) that alter nutrient cycling, ecosystem composition, and distribution of organic matter from the unmanaged condition. We evaluated landscape-level response to fire and grazing treatments in the Konza Tallgrass Prairie Research Natural Area, Kansas, using spectral mixture analysis of Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) data acquired 31 August 1990. Spectral mixture analysis derives the fractional abundances of spectrally unique components in the landscape. The reflectance spectra of these components are called endmembers. Endmember fractions values were compared against ground values of live biomass, current standing dead biomass, and litter …

The Seedskadee Project: Remote Sensing In Non-Site Archeology, Dwight L. Drager, Arthur K. Ireland, National Park Service, Bureau Of Reclamation, United Sates Department Of The Interior

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

The project area includes some 185,000 acres of land along the banks of the Green River below the Fontenelle Dam in southwestern Wyoming. The Statement of Work calls for 1) a Class I Cultural Resources Survey and Remote Sensing Survey to assess the general nature of the resources, 2) the preparation of a predictive study design based on available information, and 3) a ground truth survey on a small sample of the project area. This proposal discusses the methods that the Branch of Remote Sensing of the Division of Cultural Research of the Southwest Cultural Resources Center of the National …

Design Of A Reliable, Inexpensive Recording Rain Gage Which Utilizes Solid-State Memory, Stephen A. Dyer

KWRRI Research Reports

Researchers working in the general area of water resources frequently have need for precipitation data. Unfortunately, the cost of commercially available recording rain gages is often greater than $1,000 per unit. This report describes a microprocessor-controlled remote recording rain gage which is capable of unattended operation for periods of greater than a month that costs less than $400 in single quantities. The laboratory prototype uses a tipping bucket to collect precipitation in 0.01-inch increments. The time of the bucket tip is stored, using an offset binary format, in solid-state memory. A complete description of the gage hardware is presented along …

Remote Sensing Of Earth Resources System Capabilities V.S. Design Constraints, William Howard Grisham

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

There is new evidence that global earth resources satellite net will be practical. This paper weighs recent advances in remote sensing to pinpoint the dominant constraints. The data and sensor systems interfacing requirements are critically reviewed. It is shown that conventional optics constraints can be relaxed, with the newer systems, based on multi-spectral imagery and statistical processing methods. The most powerful computational methods use algorithms based on a Gaussian assumption for the species vector in feature space, but biases in the imagery limit their efficiency. A rationale is proposed: improving the observational network calibrating efficiency will also improve the photogrammetric …

Remote Sensing Of Environmental Parameters, Wendell Princeton Perkins

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Atmospheric pollution in some degree has been around since time began. In recent times it has reached levels in some areas which proved to be harmful to man's health. A brief history review of these occurrences is presented. Laws have been enacted to combat this threat. A brief review of these laws is presented. Instruments for remote sensing of polluting sources are being developed to monitor ambient air quality and aid in enforcing these laws. A review of the techniques employed and the present state of the art is explored. Available instruments are presented in section III-5.