Environmental Sciences Commons^™

Relating Surface Backscatter Response From Trmm Precipitation Radar To Soil Moisture: Results Over A Semi-Arid Region, Haroon Stephen, Sajjad Ahmad, Thomas C. Piechota, Chunling Tang

Public Policy and Leadership Faculty Research

The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) carries aboard the Precipitation Radar (TRMMPR) that measures the backscatter (σº) of the surface. σº is sensitive to surface soil moisture and vegetation conditions. Due to sparse vegetation in arid and semi-arid regions, TRMMPR σº primarily depends on the soil water content. In this study we relate TRMMPR σº measurements to soil water content (m(s)) in the Lower Colorado River Basin (LCRB). σº dependence on ms is studied for different vegetation greenness values determined through Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). A new model of σº that couples incidence angle, m(s), and NDVI is used …

Land Surface Brightness Temperature Modeling Using Solar Insolation, Haroon Stephen, Sajjad Ahmad, Thomas C. Piechota

Public Policy and Leadership Faculty Research

Retrieval of land surface emissivity and temperature from microwave brightness temperature data is a complex problem. The diurnal variation of temperature due to the diurnal cycle of solar radiation and weather conditions makes this problem even more challenging. In this paper, we use solar radiation in modeling the temporal variation of the brightness temperature state of the surface. Solar insolation modeling is used to estimate the diurnal variation of land surface brightness temperature. Solar radiation and brightness temperature are linked through temperature of the surface which is derived based on the radiation balance equation. The temperature state model behaves consistent …

Satellite-Based Estimation Of Chlorophyll-Α Concentration In Turbid Productive Waters, Wesley Moses

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Inland, coastal, and estuarine waters, which are often turbid and biologically productive, play a crucial role in maintaining global bio-diversity and are of immense value to aquatic life as well as human-beings. Concentration of chlorophyll-a (chl-a) is a key indicator of the trophic status of these waters, which should be regularly monitored to ensure that their ecological balance is not disturbed. Remote sensing is a powerful tool for this.

Due to the optical complexity of turbid productive waters, standard algorithms that use blue and green reflectances are unreliable for estimating chl-a concentration. Algorithms based on red and near-infrared (NIR) reflectances …

Satellite Estimation Of Chlorophyll-A Concentration Using The Red And Nir Bands Of Meris—The Azov Sea Case Study, Wesley J. Moses, Anatoly A. Gitelson, Sergey Berdnikov, Vasiliy Povazhnyy

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

We present here the results of calibrating and validating a three-band model and, its special case, a two-band model, which use MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) reflectances in the red and near-infrared spectral regions for estimating chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentration in inland, estuarine, and coastal turbid productive waters. During four data collection campaigns in 2008 and one campaign in 2009 in the Taganrog Bay and the Azov Sea, Russia, water samples were collected, and concentrations of chl-a and total suspended solids were measured in the laboratory. The data collected in 2008 were used for model calibration, and the …

Corrections To “Satellite Estimation Of Chlorophyll-A Concentration Using The Red And Nir Bands Of Meris—The Azov Sea Case Study”, Wesley J. Moses, Anatoly A. Gitelson, Sergey Berdnikov, Vasiliy Povazhnyy

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

We correct here some errors that appear in our paper: W.J. Moses, A.A. Gitelson, S. Berdnikov, and V. Povazhnyy, “Satellite estimation of chlorophyll-a concentration using the red and NIR bands of MERIS—The Azov Sea case study,” IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Letters, volume 6, number 4, pp. 845–849, October 2009.

Estimation Of Chlorophyll-A Concentration In Case Ii Waters Using Modis And Meris Data—Successes And Challenges, Wesley Moses, Anatoly Gitelson, Sergey Berdnikov, Vasiliy Povazhnyi

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 reflectance at red and …

The Emerging Role Of Lidar Remote Sensing In Coastal Research And Resource Management Full Access, John C. Brock, Samuel J. Purkis

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles

Knowledge of coastal elevation is an essential requirement for resource management and scientific research. Recognizing the vast potential of lidar remote sensing in coastal studies, this Special Issue includes a collection of articles intended to represent the state-of-the-art for lidar investigations of nearshore submerged and emergent ecosystems, coastal morphodynamics, and hazards due to sea-level rise and severe storms. Some current applications for lidar remote sensing described in this Special Issue include bluegreen wavelength lidar used for submarine coastal benthic environments such as coral reef ecosystems, airborne lidar used for shoreline mapping and coastal change detection, and temporal waveform-resolving lidar used …

Impacts Of Meteorological Factors On Modis-Observed Fire Activity In The North American Boreal Forest: The Role Of Lightning, David A. Peterson

Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The meteorological impact on wildfire activity in the North American boreal forest during the fire seasons of 2000 – 2006 is statistically analyzed through an integration of the following data sets: the MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) level 2 fire products, the 3-hourly 32-km gridded meteorological data from North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR), the instantaneous lightning data collected by the Canadian Lightning Detection Network (CLDN), and the Alaska Lightning Detection Network (ALDN). Positive anomalies of the 500 hpa geopotential height field, convective available potential energy (CAPE), number of cloud-to-ground lightning strikes, and the number of consecutive dry days are found …

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 …

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 …

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

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. …

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, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

[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 …

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 …

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

Public Policy and Leadership Faculty Research

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 Research

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 …

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.