Assessment of land degradation hazards,etah district,uttar pradesh using landsat data

To understand the nature of land degradation and factors responsible for it, investigations were carried out in Etah district with an area of 4.45 lakh hectares. For identification of soil/land degradation problems, multidate Landsat, TM spectral bands and FCC were used. It is observed that salt-affected soils are sharply depicted by light and dark gray mixed tone on band 3, while they are not clear on band 4. Flood plain and waterlogged soils are clearly observed on band 4. Band 6 (10.3 – 12.5 µm) helps in separation of broad zones of coarse and fine-textured soils, active flood plain of rivers, and eroded and gullied lands. The confusion between coarse-textured droughty soils and salt-affected areas in TM FCC (2, 3, 4) could be eliminated by use of band-6 data in combination with FCC. For delineation of problematic areas, two approaches were followed viz. (i) physiographic approach, and (ii) direct approach. In the physiographic approach landscape map associated with image characteristics was prepared. Further the image interpretation units were interpreted for land degradation hazards. With this approach physiography and soil relationship and the degradation problems vis-a-vis soil units could be established and ameliorative measures as per soil condition can be suggested. In direct approach, the problematic areas as per predetermined key were demarcated. Out of 4.45 lakh ha of the area, 1.99 lakh ha is affected by various soil degradation problems, like droughty soils, flooding hazard and salinity and alkalinity which cover 22.1%, 50.0% and 27.9%, respectively. To study the distribution of a salt-affected lands, major physiographic boundaries were superimposed over the land degradation map prepared by direct approach. It is observed that 81.5% of the salt-affected areas lie in the old alluvial plain while 18.5% is in recent flood plain.     

Land Use/Land Cover Change Mapping In Mahi Canal Command Area, Gujarat, Using Multi-temporal Satellite Data

The temporal changes (1988-89 to 1997) in land-use/land cover were studied using multi-temporal satellite data in Mahi Right Bank Canal (MRBC) command area in Kheda district of Gujarat state. The canal command area is affected by waterlogging and salinity. The land-use/land cover change is maximum in a distributary (Lambhvel) situated in highly urbanised zone around Anand city, where built-up area increased from 205 ha to 868 ha. In Nadiad command area also there is an increase in urban area from 281 ha to 460 ha, causing a decrease in agricultural area. Waterlogging is significant in Pansora command area with 586 ha of waterlogged area in 1997. Water logging has also increased in commands of other distributaries. The salt affected area has increased in Chikhaliya command whereas it has decreased in Manej command.     

Hyperspectral Satellite Data in Mapping Salt-Affected Soils Using Linear Spectral Unmixing Analysis

Development of salt-affected soils in the irrigated lands of arid and semi-arid region is major cause of land degradation. Hyperion hyperspectral remote sensing data (EO-1) was used in the present study for characterization and mapping of salt-affected soils in a part of irrigation command area of Indo-Gangetic alluvial plains. Linear spectral mixture analysis approach was used to map various categories of salt affected soils represented by spectral endmembers of slightly, moderately and highly salt-affected soils. These endmembers were related to surface expression of various categories of salt-affected soils in the area. The endmembers were selected by performing minimum noise fraction (MNF) transformation and pixel purity index (PPI) on Hyperion (EO-1) data with reference to high resolution LISS IV data and field data. The results showed that various severity classes of salt-affected soils could be reliably mapped using linear spectral unmixing analysis. A low RMSE value (0.0193) over the image was obtained that revealed a good fit of the model in identification and classification of endmembers of various severities of salt affected soils. The overall classification accuracies for slight, moderate and highly salt-affected soils were estimated of 78.57, 79.81 and 84.43% respectively.     

Temporal behaviour of surface waterlogged areas using spaceborne multispectral multitemporal measurements

Waterlogging and subsequent salinization and/or alkalization is the major land degradation problem in the irrigation commands of the semi-arid regions. Information on the nature, extent and spatial distribution of waterlogged areas is a pre-requisite for restoration of fertility, which has hitherto been generated conventionally. Realising the potential of spaceborne multispectral measurements in providing reliable information on spatial patterns of waterlogged areas in a timely and cost-effective manner, a study was taken up to delineate and monitor the spatial distribution pattern of waterlogged areas in Mahanadi command Stage-I covering parts of Orissa state, eastern India using Landsat-TM, Indian Remote Sensing satellite (IRS-1A) Linear Imaging Self-Scanning Sensor (LISS-II) and IRS-ID LISS-III data. A systematic on-the-screen visual interpretation approach after geo-referencing and radiometric normalization of digital multispectral data in a Silicon Graphics work station using ERDAS/ IMAGINE software was followed to realize the objectives. Results point to a significant increase in the spatial extent of waterlogged areas. Seasonally waterlogged areas increased from 29330 ha to 33421 ha and permanent waterlogged areas from 10870 ha to 12973 ha during the period 1988–89 to 1999–2000. Methodology and results are discussed in detail.     

Mapping of waterlogged areas and salt affected soils in the IGNP command area

Visual interpretation of IRS LISS-II data authenticated by ground truth was carried out for detection of waterlogged areas and characterization of salt-affected soils. The deep blue tone depicting surface ponding (stagnant ponded zone) resulted from the seepage and accumulation of irrigation water through the course sandy mass. Such unit was mostly confined to the localized low-lying areas. These data have also revealed interdunal seepage lake within the buried paleo-channel of Saraswati possibly due to submerging of excess Ghaggar floodwater. Flood irrigation, sandy soils, cultivation of high water requirement crops and presence of hard gypsiferrous pans in the shallow depths were responsible for development of waterlogged conditions in the area. The grey to yellowish white patch around the waterlogging features represented surface salt efflorescence. The grey to greyish red represented the potential waterlogging zone. Based on the analytical data, soils were characterized as moderate to highly saline and showed the presence of significant amount of CaCO₃ (>2 mm) throughout the solum. The chemical analysis of water samples revealed the presence of high to very high quantity of soluble salts dominated by chlorides and sulfates of sodium, calcium and magnesium.     

Evaluation of NDWI and MNDWI for assessment of waterlogging by integrating digital elevation model and groundwater level

Accurate information on the extent of waterlogging is required for flood prediction, monitoring, relief and preventive measures. The rule-based classification algorithms were used for differentiating waterlogged areas from other ground features using Resourcesat-2 AWiFS satellite imagery (Indian Remote Sensing Satellite with spatial resolution of 56 m). Two spectral indices normalized difference water index (NDWI) and modified normalized difference water index (MNDWI) were used for extracting waterlogged areas in Sri Muktsar Sahib district of Punjab, India. These indices extracted the waterlogged areas (cropped areas inundated with water) but the water features were less enhanced in the NDWI-derived image (when compared with MNDWI-derived image) due to negative values of NDWI and, mixing of water with built up features. The water features were more enhanced with MNDWI and the values of MNDWI were positive for water features mixed with vegetation. The overall accuracy of waterlogged areas extracted from the MNDWI image was 96.9% with the Kappa coefficient of 0.89. The digital elevation model (DEM) was extracted from ASTER-GDEM. The relationships among depth to the water table recorded before the incessant rain in the region, DEM and classified MNDWI images explained the differences in the extent of waterlogging in various directions of the study area. These results suggest that MNDWI can be used to better delineate water features mixed with vegetation compared to NDWI.     

Soil survey of command area for planning of water management: A case study of an area in Hardoi district,U.P.

Development of irrigation potential for increasing agricultural production is the main aim of Command Area Development. This involves interaction amongst various factors; the soil, the crop, the climate, the topograpny and others. Water management in Command Area requires careful planning, based upon adequate data regarding soils, land use and topography. It is essential to make the best possible use of the available water without creating waterlogging, salinity and alkalinity problems in the command area. The use of aerial photographs is a well recognized expedient, convenient and economical method of data collection, which appreciably suits the requirement of the survey of Command Areas. As large areas have to be surveyed for data collection, the best way to accomplish this is by taking up survey of command area in different levels: reconnaissance, semi-detailed and detailed. The reconnaissance and semi-detailed survey would enable us to identify problem areas. Detailed survey are needed in these areas for taking up reclamation measures. A case study of soil survey carried out in the Sharda Sahayak Command Area of a part of Hardoi District is given as an example to illustrate the use of aerial photographs for planning of water management practices.     

Distribution analysis of salt affected soils under canal and non-canal command area in a part of Etah district,U. P., using remote sensing technique

A World Bank-aided project on sodic land reclamation in Uttar Pradesh is being executed by U.P. Bhumi Sudhar Nigam, Lucknow, and Remote Sensing Applications Centre, U.P., Lucknow has the responsibility of sodic land mapping for the execution of land reclamation programme at the cadastral level. Sodic lands are mainly concentrated in the Gangetic alluvial plains but the problem of sodicity is particularly acute in the canal-irrigated areas. A study of the distribution pattern of sodic lands in canal and noncanal command areas in a reclamation site (covering 60 villages out of which sodic lands were mapped in 51 villages) of Etah district in Uttar Pradesh, indicates that 18.39 per cent area of the canal command villages was barren sodic which was 13.41 per cent of the total geographical area of the site (15417 ha), however, 11.69 per cent area was recorded to be barren sodic in the non-canal command villages which was only 3.16 per cent of the geographical area of the site. The results of soil chemical analysis indicate that barren sodic lands of canal command area are saline-sodic with higher concentration of soluble salts (pH₂ >8.5, EC₂ >4 dSm⁻¹), however, those of non-canal command area are sodic (pH₂ >8.5, EC₂ <4 dSm⁻¹). The post-monsoon ground level in the canal-irrigated areas was in the critical and semicritical zone (< 3.0 mbgl) whereas it was well below the semi-critical zone in the non-canal command area, which indicates that the high ground water level is a major factor to higher the area under sodicity.     

Use of remote sensing techniques in geomorphological and soil studies for management of irrigated areas of Chambal Canal,Madhya Pradesh

The problems of large irrigation project are usually presented by water logging and soil salinity. These are associated with geomorphic conditions and type of soils present in the command areas and could be easily identified by use of aerial photographs and remote sensing techniques. The present study aims to make use of satellite data for identification of these problems. The study indicates that satellite information would be useful to locate such problem areas by adopting multistage approach for its interpretation.     

黄河三角洲盐碱地遥感调查研究

土壤盐渍化是干旱、半干旱农业的主要的土地退化问题，有关盐碱地的性质、范围、面积、地理分布及盐渍程度等方面的实时、可靠的信息，对治理盐碱地防止其进一步退化和进行农业可持续发展规划至关重要，提出运用Landsat TM遥感数据来获取这些信息。基于地物光谱特征、野外调查建立的地物与影像之间的关系以及土壤和地下水监测数据的辅助，将常规监督分类法和改进的图像分类法两种方法相结合，提取了不同盐渍程度的盐碱地，即光板地14477．67hm^2，重度盐碱地52086．33hm^2，中度盐碱地86699．61hm^2，轻度盐碱地215001.7hm^2，占黄河三角洲总面积的近二分之一（47．4％），除此之外，水体，滩涂，非盐碱地等也作了区分。     

Delineation and characterization of waterlogging and salt affected areas in a canal irrigated semiarid region of north west India

Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) Linear Imaging Self Scanning (LISS II) data are interpreted, followed by ground verification facilitated identification of waterlogged areas (ponded water), salt affected soils (salt efflorescence) and high water table zones (potential waterlogging zones) in the Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojona (IGNP) command area (India). The false colour composites (bands 4, 3, 2) for February 1996, November 1996 and June 1998 on 1:50 000 scale revealed occurrence and seasonal dynamics of permanent waterlogging in low-lying flats and depressions. The extent of waterlogging was higher in February 1996 due to less evaporation and more agricultural operation during the period. Salt accumulation was higher in November 1996 due to freshly precipitated seasonal salts. Seepage and accumulation of excess irrigation water through coarse sandy mass was primarily responsible for the development of waterlogging in the irrigated zone. The capillary rise of soluble salts with a rising water table and high evaporative demand caused secondary soil salinization. A ground truth study found areas with a high water table (<1.5 m) with patchy crop stands and a potentially sensitive zone with a fluctuating (1.5–6.0 m) water table with poor vegetative growth. The soil characteristics showed moderate to high soil salinity in the control section of soil profiles. These were characterized by medium to coarse texture, weak to moderately strong structure, weak consistency, low organic matter content and the presence of abundant CaCO₃ nodules. The composition of saturated soil paste showed a preponderance of chlorides and sulphates of sodium, calcium and magnesium. The presence of fine texture and calcium carbonate layers at a depth below the surface caused the development of a perched water table indicating unsuitability for traditional irrigated agriculture. The quality of pond water was extremely poor and unfit for reuse. The ground water was saline in some areas but normally lies within the prescribed limit. The quality of drainage water was poor in saline depressions and unsuitable for reuse but moderate in other areas suggesting its safe reuse when mixed with good quality water. Suitable soil and water management practices were necessary for sustainable crop production in the command area.     

Delineation of surface waterlogged areas in parts of bihar using IRS-1C LISS-III data

Pre-monsoon and post-monsoon surface waterlogged areas were delineated using satellite remote sensing data for Muzaffarpur, Vaishali and Saran districts of North Bihar. Digital data of IRS-1C LISS-III sensor acquired on December 7, 1998 and April 6, 1999 were analyzed using digital image processing software-ERDAS Imagine 8.3.1. The surface waterlogged areas were delineated using modeling technique which is the most advanced and accurate method. Using the modeling technique, a pixel is classified as water if the digital number (DN) value of its Near Infra Red (NIR) band is less than the DN value of the Red band and the Green band, and the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) is greater than or equal to 0.32. The pre-monsoon surface waterlogged areas are found to be 14.02, 23.61 and 9.61 km² while the post-monsoon surface waterlogged areas are found to be 231.83, 118.19 and 176.06 km² for Muzaffarpur, Vaishali and Saran districts, respectively. Also, land use/land cover maps were prepared.     

The use of WorldView-2 satellite imagery to model urban drainage system with low impact development (LID) Techniques

Within a wide range of best management practices for stormwater management in urban areas, there has been an increasing interest in source control measures. Source controls such as low-impact development (LID) techniques are potentially attractive as retrofit options for older developed areas that lack available land to implement conventional measures such as stormwater management ponds. Hence, distributed urban drainage models requiring detailed representation of developed drainage areas should be developed to accurately estimate the benefits that LIDs may provide. This study (1) presents a two-stage classification process on a high-resolution WorldView-2 image, and (2) demonstrates how to use the extracted land cover information in the subsequent hydrologic modelling and assessment of different LIDs’ performance. The proposed two-stage classification method achieved an overall accuracy of 80.6%, whereas a traditional pixel-based achieved 68.4% in classifying the same urban area into six land cover classes. From the classification results, the hydrologic properties of micro-subcatchments were imported in the United States Environmental Protection Agency Storm Water Management Model to assess the performance of LIDs. A reduction of run-off volume 18.2% and 37.1% was found with the implementation of porous pavement and bioretention, respectively, in a typical low-rise residential area located in the city of San Clemente, California, US. The study demonstrates the use of high-resolution remote sensing image to aid in evaluating LID retrofit options, and thus benefits in situations where detailed drainage area information is not available.     

Application of IRS-1A data for delineating buried channels in Southern part of Allahabad district of Uttar Pradesh

Two buried channels were identified in southern part of Allahabad district based on the visual interpretation of IRS-1 A LISS II FCC followed by detailed study of aerial photographs and cheks. It has been concluded on basis of the configuration of the channels that these were initially joined forming one channel which flowed from east to west although the present master slope of the area is from west to east. The present reversal of the drainage might have been caused by the neo-tectonic activity in the area. The buried channels provide potential ground water reservoirs in the area as proved by a few boreholes drilled on the channels. Some part of the area has become waterlogged due to the seepage of water from the canals cutting across one of the buried channels.     

Characteristics,Distribution and Genesis of Salt-Affected Soils in Punjab

The extent of salt-affected soils in Punjab based on the 1984 Landsat-MSS data (FCC) has been investigated. The area of salt-affected soils has decreased from 0.699 million ha in 1972 to 0.488 million ha in 1984. The 1972 extent of salt-affected soils is based on the available maps and interpretation of ERTS pictures. The morphological, physical, chemical and minerological characteristics of salt-affected soils in Punjab are described. These soils are charaterised by high pH, ESP and EC but lack columnar or prismatic structure. The highest salt accumulation is observed at the surface and decreases with depth. The only sodium containing silicate mineral identified in these soils is albite. The development of salt-affected soils in Punjab is intimately connected with fluctuation of ground water. These soils have been formed by a combination of topographic, climatic, hydrological and geochemical conditions conducive for the accumulation of brackish waters at or near soil surface.     

Remote Sensing and GIS Based Landslide Susceptibility Assessment using Binary Logistic Regression Model: A Case Study in the Ganeshganga Watershed, Himalayas

A comprehensive Landslide Susceptibility Zonation (LSZ) map is sought for adopting any landslide preventive and mitigation measures. In the present study, LSZ map of landslide prone Ganeshganga watershed (known for Patalganga Landslide) has been generated using a binary logistic regression (BLR) model. Relevant thematic layers pertaining to the causative factors for landslide occurrences, such as slope, aspect, relative relief, lithology, tectonic structures, lineaments, land use and land cover, distance to drainage, drainage density and anthropogenic factors like distance to road, have been generated using remote sensing images, field survey, ancillary data and GIS techniques. The coefficients of the causative factors retained by the BLR model along with the constant have been used to construct the landslide susceptibility map of the study area, which has further been categorized into four landslide susceptibility zones from high to very low. The resultant landslide susceptibility map was validated using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showing an accuracy of 95.2 % for an independent set of test samples. The result also showed a strong agreement between distribution of existing landslides and predicted landslide susceptibility zones.     

Mapping and characterization of inland wetlands using remote sensing and GIS

Sustainable management of wetland ecosystem is necessary as it serves the important functions such as food storage, water quality maintenance and providing habitat for different species of wildlife. Hence, an inventory of wetlands in any given area is a pre-requisite for their conservation and management. A study has been carried out to delineate the wetlands of east Champaran district of Bihar, India, using IRS ID LISS III data. The data for the pre and post monsoon seasons have been analysed and the wetlands have been qualitatively characterized based on the turbidity and aquatic vegetation status. The extent of water logging problem in the study area was inferred from the seasonal variation of waterspread during both the seasons. The three categories of wetlands (ponds/lakes, water logged areas and oxbow lakes) have been identified. From the analysis, it has been observed that the inland wetlands constitute 2.7% of the study area, of which 1.8% is subjected to water logging. Thus, this study highlights the usefulness of remotely sensed data for wetland mapping, seasonal monitoring and characterization.     

Visual interpretation of landsat-1 imagery of central and southern districts of Haryana state,India

LANDSAT-MSS data in the form of a false colour composite image at a scale of 1:250,000 has been used to produce terrain unit maps of parts of north west India. The area of study consisted of central and southern districts of Haryana State. It has been possible to obtain a qualitative assessment of land use patterns and surface hydrology by means of visual Interpretation. The boundaries between differeat terrain units and moisture regimes were clearly discernible It is felt that comparative studies of false colour infrared imagery over a period of time can provide valuable Information for those engaged in reclamation schemes. In particular, the data can be used to plan reclamation of salt affected and waterlogged lands in semi-arid zones of states like Haryana.     

Satellite remote sensing derived spatial water utilisation index (wui) for benchmarking of irrigation systems

Water Utilisation Index (WUI) defined as area irrigated per unit volume is a measure of water delivery performance and constitutes one of the important spatial performance indicators of an irrigation system. WUI also forms basis for evaluating the adequacy of seasonal irrigation supplies in an irrigation system (inverse of WUI is delta, i.e. depth of water supplied to a given irrigation unit). In the present study WUI and adequacy indicators were used in benchmarking the performance of Nagarjunasagar Left Canal Command (NSLC) in Andhra Pradesh. Optimised temporal satellite data of rabi season during the years 1990–91 and 1998–99 was used in deriving irrigated crop areas adopting hierarchical classification approach. Paddy is the predominant crop grown and cotton, chillies, sugarcane etc. are the other crops grown in the study area. Equivalent wet area (paddy crop area) was estimated using the operationally used project specific conversion factors. WUI was estimated at disaggregated level viz., distributary, irrigation block, irrigation zone level using the canal discharge data. At project level, WUI estimated to be 65 ha/MCM and 92 ha/MCM during rabi season of 1990–91 and 1998–99 years respectively. A comparison of total irrigated area and discharges corresponding to both the years indicate that irrigation service is extensive and sub optimal during 1998–99 and it is intensive and optimal in 1990–91. It was also observed that WUI is lesser in blocks of with higher Culturable Command Area (CCA) compared to the blocks of lower CCA. All the disaggregated units were ranked into various groups of different levels of water distribution performance. The study demonstrates the utility of WUI as spatial performance indicator and thus useful for benchmarking studies of irrigation command areas. The WUI together with satellite data derived spatial irrigation intensity, crop productivity constitutes important benchmarking indices in irrigation command areas.     

Mapping and management of flood-affected areas through remote sensing a case study of Sirsa district,Haryana

The flood-affected areas in Siras district, Haryana, was mapped during 1993 using IRS-1A LISS-II data. Two categories of flood-affected areas viz. (i) standing water, and (ii) wet areas were identified. The flood water was standing in an area of 19676.25 ha, while wet areas covered 16773.75 ha., Silting of Ottu reservoir, mismanagement of river banks and bunds and lack of drainage system were identified, as major causes of floods. Three management practices including (i) desilting of Ottu reservoir, (ii) proper management of river banks and bands, and (iii) constructions of drains to flush out flood water have been suggested to contain the fury of floods. This study will be useful to the planners and administrators in the planning of flood-affected areas.