Assessment of Dem Quality for Characterizing Surface Roughness Using Close Range Digital Photogrammetry

This paper presents a procedure for assessing the quality of a digital elevation model (DEM) which has been applied to the output of a normalized cross correlation based stereomatching algorithm. Using semimetric photography of natural gravel river bed surfaces acquired in the field, digital photogrammetry was used to extract DEMs automatically for use in characterizing surface roughness properties. The procedure for assessing DEM quality involves examination of (i) ortho-images, to provide a qualitative check on stereomatching performance; (ii) DEM collection statistics which quantify the percentage of correctly matched pixels as a function of those interpolated; and (iii) height differences between check points, measured using independent field survey, and corresponding DEM points. The concepts of precision, accuracy and reliability are defined in the context of DEM quality assessment and methods are outlined which can be used to assess these variables. The assessment is conducted for two adjacent stereopairs with similar characteristics, considering the effects of both DEM collection parameters and different lens models upon DEM quality. Results show that digital photogrammetry, in conjunction with independent field survey, can be used successfully for extracting high resolution, small scale DEMs from natural gravel surfaces. Components (i) and (ii) of the quality assessment suggest the need to optimize DEM collection parameters, although the effects of not using a properly specified lens model were minimal at this scale. Method (iii) showed that increasing stereomatching success does not necessarily lead to more accurately estimated DEM points. However, the use of method (iii) remained difficult because of the scale of the photogrammetric application being used; check point positioning within the photogrammetric co-ordinate system was only possible to ±10 mm which, for a gravel bed surface, was associated with elevation variance of a similar, sometimes greater, magnitude. The next stage of this research will require the use of higher quality check data, possibly from laser profiling.     

Providing scientific visualization for spatial data analysis: Criteria and an assessment of SAGE

A consistent theme in recent work on developing exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) has been the importance attached to visualization techniques, particularly following the pioneering development of packages such as SPIDER and REGARD (Haslett et al. 1990).  The focus on visual techniques is often justified in two ways: (a) the power of modern graphical interfaces means that graphics is no longer a way of simply presenting results in the form of maps or graphs, but a tool for the extraction of information from data; (b) graphical, exploratory methods are felt to be more intuitive for non-specialists to use than methods of numerical spatial statistics enabling wider participation in the process of getting data insights. However, little work has been done to decide which visualization tools might be needed to support ESDA, or how they can be most effectively implemented.  This paper briefly reviews a theoretical framework that has been suggested for addressing these issues, which comprises two elements: firstly a data model, based on the distinction between rough and smooth properties of spatial data, that defines what an analyst is looking for in data (Haining et al. 1998) and secondly a theoretical model for assessing the quality of visualisation tools (Cleveland 1994). The emphasis of this paper is the use of the theoretical framework to structure an assessment of SAGE, a software system that has been written for the spatial statistical analysis (including both exploratory and confirmatory data analysis) of area based data linked to a GIS. The aim of the assessment is to identify the desirable features of the system (that might be employed in other systems) whilst also highlighting what the additional requirements are thereby contributing to the development of systems for ESDA that contain good quality scientific visualization tools for exploratory spatial data analysis. Received: 30 September 1998/Accepted: 17 September 1999     

An Integration of Spatial Information Technology for Groundwater Potential and Quality Investigations in Koduvan Ár Sub-Watershed of Meenachil River Basin,Kerala, India

The importance of groundwater is growing based on an increase in need and decrease in the availability of fresh surface water sources and adequate rainfall. Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) has become one of the leading tools in the field of hydrogeological science, which helps in assessing, monitoring and conserving groundwater resources. This paper describes the results of a groundwater potentiality and quality assessment conducted in Koduvan ár sub-watershed of Meenachil river basin, Kottayam district of Kerala state, in the Republic of India. Shallow groundwater is the main source of drinking water in urban and rural areas, but reliable spatial data on its potentiality and quality are currently insufficient for developing the water-supply systems with standard designs. The methodology used in the present study includes an integrated approach of remote sensing and GIS for the construction of groundwater potentiality map and the assessment of water quality of identified wells. Different spatial data layers such as, geomorphology, lithology, slope and land use/ land cover are generated and the interrelationship between these layers were analyzed to identify and assess the groundwater potentiality of the area. The final result depicts the favourable prospective zones in the study area with its quality parameters and can be helpful to formulate recommendations to reduce the water scarcity and quality risks for public health.     

地表覆盖成果质量的模糊综合评价模型与方法

本文针对地理国情监测地表覆盖成果质量合理评价问题,应用多因素模糊综合评价理论与方法,设计了一套基于模糊综合评价法的地理国情监测地表覆盖成果质量评价模型与方法,并选取我国北方27个县级测区的地理国情监测地表覆盖成果质量检查数据进行了试验验证。试验结果表明,相比最小值法、加权平均法等常规质量评价方法,基于模糊综合评价法的成果质量评价结果更为客观、合理,可为自然资源统一调查监测中的地表覆盖成果等新型测绘地理信息成果质量评价提供技术参考。     

区域可持续发展评价系统研制

区域可持续发展是指区域自然环境容量可以不断满足人类生活质量保障的社会发展状态,要实现这种可持续发展,就必须评价区域的可持续性,EIS／RSD是在windows NT环境下开发的一个以遥感专题信息作为重要信息来源,具有综合分析和空间制图显示能力的区域可持续发展评价息系统,该文阐述了EIS／RSD的系统目标,技术路线,概念模型,系统功能,使用方法和结果表达方式。     

模糊数学在土地利用更新调查质量评定中的应用探讨

土地利用现状数据已成为土地管理工作中的一项基础数据,为政府开展宏观调控、科学决策提供科学依据。本文针对土地利用更新调查中质量评定的模糊特性,运用模糊教学理论,提出运用模糊综合评判原理评定更新调查质量的方法,抛砖引玉,目的是借助科学的手段和方法限制和缩小人们对检查产品带有感情色彩的评定,客观地、科学地反映产品质量。     

GNSS广播协调世界时偏差误差评估方法与分析

全球卫星导航系统(GNSS)广播协调世界时偏差误差(UTCOE)近年来成为卫星导航供应商和用户关注的焦点之一。本文研究了UTCOE的定义,提出了基于中科院国家授时中心保持的协调世界时UTC(NTSC)和国际权度局(BIPM)时间公报的UTCOE间接评估方法,并采用GPS UTCOE直接评估方法对该方法的有效性进行了验证,给出了评估的不确定度预算。利用搭建的GNSS系统时间偏差监测系统输出数据,评估了BDS、GPS、GLONASS的UTCOE。在2018年全年的评估周期内,BDS UTCOE的均方根(RMS)为17.33 ns。BDS、GPS、GLONASS 3大系统的UTCOE的95%统计值分别为35.47、2.08以及8.64 ns。结果表明,BDS、GPS和GLONASS的UTCOE都符合性能承诺,但GPS远优于系统承诺,GLONASS次之,BDS的UTCOE结果临界,且呈现出明显的系统误差特性。BDS的UTCOE具有较大的提升空间。     

A Structure Recognition Technique in Contextual Generalisation of Buildings and Built-up Areas

Abstract

A structure recognition technique is presented that can be employed for contextual building and built-up area generalisation in medium-scale topographic maps. Owing to various spatial configurations, a contextual mechanism is necessary to achieve acceptable results in cartographic generalisation. Spatial structures are usually implicit in data, and advanced analysis and processing methods are required to detect them. This technique is based on auxiliary geometric data structures and spatial analysis methods. A case study is performed with a topographic data set, using an interface developed in an object-oriented geographic information system (O-O GIS). The proposed approach was found to assist and improve automation.     

Modeling aggregated expertise of user contributions to assess the credibility of OpenStreetMap features

The emergence of volunteered geographic information (VGI) during the past decade has fueled a wide range of research and applications. The assessment of VGI quality and fitness‐of‐use is still a challenge because of the non‐standardized and crowdsourced data collection process, as well as the unknown skill and motivation of the contributors. However, the frequent approach of assessing VGI quality against external data sources using ISO quality standard measures is problematic because of a frequent lack of available external (reference) data, and because for certain types of features, VGI might be more up‐to‐date than the reference data. Therefore, a VGI‐intrinsic measure of quality is highly desirable. This study proposes such an intrinsic measure of quality by developing the concept of aggregated expertise based on the characteristics of a feature's contributors. The article further operationalizes this concept and examines its feasibility through a case study using OpenStreetMap (OSM). The comparison of model OSM feature quality with information from a field survey demonstrates the successful implementation of this novel approach.     

Capturing the fugitive: Applying remote sensing to terrestrial animal distribution and diversity

Amongst many ongoing initiatives to preserve biodiversity, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment again shows the importance to slow down the loss of biological diversity. However, there is still a gap in the overview of global patterns of species distributions. This paper reviews how remote sensing has been used to assess terrestrial faunal diversity, with emphasis on proxies and methodologies, while exploring prospective challenges for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. We grouped and discussed papers dealing with the faunal taxa mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates into five classes of surrogates of animal diversity: (1) habitat suitability, (2) photosynthetic productivity, (3) multi-temporal patterns, (4) structural properties of habitat, and (5) forage quality. It is concluded that the most promising approach for the assessment, monitoring, prediction, and conservation of faunal diversity appears to be the synergy of remote sensing products and auxiliary data with ecological biodiversity models, and a subsequent validation of the results using traditional observation techniques.     

阿克苏河-塔里木河水系水质污染遥感监测与评价

采用Landsat TM数据分析了阿克苏河-塔里木河断面水质污染状况,通过波段的DN值和常规监测数据建立能反映水质状况的污染物监测模型.结果发现,将2000年常规监测数据代入模型后,与遥感数据的结果基本吻合;重建阿克苏河-塔里木河的连续水体污染变化曲线,得出污染物浓度随着远离上游而增加.     

Line generalisation by repeated elimination of points

Abstract

This paper presents a new approach to line generalisation which uses the concept of 'effective area' for progressive simplification of a line by point elimination. Two coastlines are used to compare the performance of this, with that of the widely used Douglas-Peucker, algorithm. The results from the area-based algorithm compare favourably with manual generalisation of the same lines. It is capable of achieving both imperceptible minimal simplifications and caricatural generalisations. By careful selection of cut-off values, it is possible to use the same algorithm for scale-dependent and scale-independent generalisations. More importantly, it offers scope for modelling cartographic lines as consisting of features within features so that their geometric manipulation may be modified by application- and/or user-defined rules and weights. The paper examines the merits and limitations of the algorithm and the opportunities it offers for further research and progress in the field of line generalisation.     

Land cover mapping applications with MODIS: a literature review

Abstract

Land use/land cover monitoring and mapping is crucial to efficient management of the land and its resources. Since the late 1980s increased attention has been paid to the use of coarse resolution optical data. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) has features, which make it particularly suitable to earth characterization purposes. MODIS has 10 products dedicated mainly to land cover characterization and provides three kinds of data: angular, spectral and temporal. MODIS data also includes information about the data quality through the ‘Quality Assessment’ product. In this paper, we review how MODIS data are used to map land cover including the preferred MODIS products, the preprocessing and classification approaches, the accuracy assessment, and the results obtained.     

Forest site quality assessment by aerial photo-interpretation case study of sal forests

93 black & white panchromatic aerial photographs of 1972 on 1:20,000 scale were used for assessing the site quality of Sal forest of part of West Dehradun Forest Division, by both direct and indirect methods. The forests were stratified into 5 height and 5 density classes and according to species composition. For necessary data for the assessment of growing stock, field measurements were made on 54 sample plots of 0.1 hectare each. This provided direct indication of actual productive capacity of a particular site. According to indirect method, ground vegetation was sampled in 54 quadrats of 5m x 5m each and has been classified into statistically sound vegetation groupings by normal association analysis technique. These groups facilitated the standardisation of their photo perameters. The indicator value of the plants in a grouping was used to assess the suitability of the site. This was substantiated by super-imposing growing stock, present at that site. By combination of the direct and indirect methods, sites have been classified into 3 categories i.e., suitable, conditionally suitable and unsuitable. Suggestions have been made for management of conditionally suitable sites and the cause for unsuitability of sites are explored. Hence, interpretation of qualitative attributes of vegetation alongwith the measurements of quantitative parameters on aerial photographs have proved to be useful for site quality assessment.     

Accuracy assessment of lidar-derived digital elevation models

Despite the relatively high cost of airborne lidar-derived digital elevation models (DEMs), such products are usually presented without a satisfactory associated estimate of accuracy. For the most part, DEM accuracy estimates are typically provided by comparing lidar heights against a finite sample of check point coordinates from an independent source of higher accuracy, supposing a normal distribution of the derived height differences or errors. This paper proposes a new methodology to assess the vertical accuracy of lidar DEMs using confidence intervals constructed from a finite sample of errors computed at check points. A non-parametric approach has been tested where no particular error distribution is assumed, making the proposed methodology especially applicable to non-normal error distributions of the type usually found in DEMs derived from lidar. The performance of the proposed model was experimentally validated using Monte Carlo simulation on 18 vertical error data-sets. Fifteen of these data-sets were computed from original lidar data provided by the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Working Group III/3, using their respective filtered reference data as ground truth. The three remaining data-sets were provided by the Natural Environment Research Council's Airborne Research and Survey Facility lidar system, together with check points acquired using high precision kinematic GPS. The results proved promising, the proposed models reproducing the statistical behaviour of vertical errors of lidar using a favourable number of check points, even in the cases of data-sets with non-normally distributed residuals. This research can therefore be considered as a potentially important step towards improving the quality control of lidar-derived DEMs.     

阿克苏河-塔里木河水系水质污染遥感监测与评价

 采用Landsat TM数据分析了阿克苏河—塔里木河断面水质污染状况,通过波段的DN值和常规监测数据建立能反映水质状况的 污染物监测模型。结果发现,将2000年常规监测数据代入模型后,与遥感数据的结果基本吻合| 重建阿克苏河—塔里木河的连续水体 污染变化曲线,得出污染物浓度随着远离上游而增加。