Mass movement studies in Kosi catchment,mepal — A semi quantitative approach using aerial photographs

An area of about 5000 sq. km. in the upper parts of river basin of Sun Kosi falling in Nepal has been studied using medium and small scale aerial photographs of two different dates. The temporal variations in relation to mass movements that occur in the study area have been demarcated. The areas which have undergone increased erosion by slope failure and gully erosion over a period of 22 years are evaluated. An attempt has been made to quantify the increase in area of mass movement taking the advantage of three dimensional model of terrain as seen in the aerial photos.     

Use of aerial photographs for soil erosion studies

Using air photos soil loss from agricultural fields has been estimated in respect of the Rana and granitic areas of south-west of Merida, Spain, applying the universal soil-loss equation. The results of soil-loss have been shown as soil erosion susceptibility and soil erosion hazard classes. This study has shown that large scale aerial photographs (1:12500) are quite useful in evaluating many of the parameters of the universal soil loss equation with limited field checks.     

Role of aerial photographs and landsat imagery in forest resources surveys

Many of the data needs for efficient management of forest resources can be met by aerial photographs. Commercially important tree species can be distinguished from other less important miscellaneous species with the help of aerial photographs. Forests can be classified according to their height and density classes. Aerial photographs have become indispensable for mapping of forests and preparation of forest inventories. A comparison of interpretation results obtained from landsat imagery and aerial photographs (1 ∶ 10,000 Black and White panchromatic photography) with respect to forestry interpretation is given. It is pointed out that the imagery obtained from satellities can be used for reconnaissance of a region and for deciding the priorities for carrying out more detailed surveys of forest resources with the help of air photointerpretation techniques     

Colour infrared aerial photographs as data base for reconnaissance soil mapping and land suitability grouping

Colour infrared and panchromatic B & W aerial photographs at 1∶25,000 scale over part of Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh were interpreted stereoscopically for delineating soilscape units. Soils and land properties were evaluated for suitability of the land for agriculture i.e. paddy and wheat. The results indicate that the relative case in delineating physiographic units offered by colour infrared air-photos does not commensurate with their cost. In the study area, 19.57 and 14.78 per cent area have been found to be suitable for paddy and wheat, respectively.     

Environmental evaluation of medchal taluk,Andhra Pradesh using aerial photographs

The human interaction with nature in the form of improper exploitation and unplanned utilisation of natural resources has caused a lot of environmental imbalance in nature. The aerial photographs and other repetitive orbital remote sensing data provide valuable information in identification and surveying of such environmentally imbalanced zones. In this study the aerial photographs were used in identifying such vulnerable areas and some remedial measures are suggested for the planned exploitation of natural resources without damaging the environment.     

Geomorphological monitoring of a highly dynamic estuary using oblique aerial photographs

Abstract

Bad weather in many countries limits the use of optical satellite imageries in spatial and temporal monitoring of the environment. In this paper, a series of low-altitude oblique aerial photos taken on daily, weekly and monthly intervals were used to monitor the geomorphological changes in the upper part of the Mersey Estuary, northwestern England. This low-altitude aerial photo methodology reveals itself to be a satisfying compromise between cost, accuracy and difficulty of implementation. It offered a large amount of information on a spatial and temporal scale aiding in the understanding of channel mobility. This was an important consideration in the sitting and installation of new bridge pier foundations. This series of oblique aerial photos was used in a dynamic model to determine the migration of the ebb channel and was effective in identifying the main route of flow. Few uncertainties were encountered and the level of accuracy achieved in resolving these uncertainties in the images was in the range from 40 cm to a maximum of 1.7 m. This was compared with historical navigation charts and showed good correlation. Further applications are required to improve the quality of the data output from these images and the development of the technique.     

Determination of run-off factor of the Tons Catchment using aerial photographs

Run-off is an important element of the hydrologic studies of any given basin. As such the estimation of the run-off factor of a catchment becomes imperative for determination of the total quantity of its surface run-off. The traditional ground survey methods of hydrologic studies of river basins are gradually getting replaced by more economical and reasonably accurate methods mostly based on aerial photographs. This paper deals with an experiment carried out on the Tons Catchment for determination of its run-off factor with the help of aerial photographs using the photo-interpretation and analysis techniques. The resultant values of the surface runoff have compared very well with the observed flow at Kisau gauging station. This indicates that a suitable methodology can be developed to estimate the discharge of the catchment of Indian rivers, where the run-off data is not available, with reasonable accuracy using the aerial photographs.     

Co-registration and correlation of aerial photographs for ground deformation measurements

We describe and test a procedure to accurately co-register and correlate multi-temporal aerial images. We show that this procedure can be used to measure surface deformation, and explore the performance and limitations of the technique. The algorithms were implemented in a software package, COSI-Corr (available from the Caltech Tectonics Observatory website). The technique is validated on several case examples of co-seismic deformation. First, we measure co-seismic ground deformation due to the 1992, Mw 7.3, Landers, California, earthquake from 1 m resolution aerial photography of the National Aerial Photography Program (United States Geological Survey). The fault ruptures are clearly detected, including small kilometric segments with fault slip as small as a few tens of centimeters. We also obtained similar performance from images of the fault ruptures produced by the 1999 Mw 7.1 Hector Mine, California, earthquake. The measurements are shown to be biased due to the inaccuracy of the Digital Elevation Model, film distortions, scanning artifacts, and ignorance of ground displacements at the location of the tie points used to co-register the multi-temporal images. We show that some of these artifacts can be identified and corrected.     

Mapping of seagrass meadows from the lakshadweep islands (India), using aerial photographs

Seagrass meadows from the Lakshadweep islands were mapped with the help of black and white aerial photographs. A maximum of 40 ha seagrass cover was estimated in the lagoon of Minicoy, followed by Kavaratti (34 ha). The total seagrass cover from six major islands of Lakshadweep was estimated to be 112 ha with standing crop of ca 800 metric tonnes. The dominant seagrass species observed wasThalassia hemprichii whileCymodocea rotundata, Halophila ovata, Syringodium isoetifolium andHalodule uninervis were common to these islands.     

GCP collection for corona satellite photographs: Issues and methodology

Use of high-resolution and historic CORONA satellite photographs for mapping and other purposes requires Ground Control Points (GCPs), as ephemeris data and image parameters are not available. However, the alterations in landscape in last 34 years (i.e., since the acquisition of these photographs) prevent identification and collection of large number of GCPs in the field. This paper presents a methodology for collection of GCPs for CORONA photographs. The advantages and limitations of the methodology are discussed. For a study site, situated in Siwaliks and Lower Himalayas, the GCPs were identified in CORONA photographs and their WGS84 coordinates were estimated through a process of datum transformation and georeferencing. Estimated GCP coordinates from the topo sheets and 2D and 3D views of photographs, helped in identifying the GCP locations in field, which were observed using DGPS. Investigations were carried out to relate Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) accuracy with base line length and time of observation. Abase line of 350 km and half an hour observation were found appropriate to yield accuracy in GCP collection by DGPS method, which conforms to CORONA resolution of 3 m.     

Identification and delineation of saline soils using aerial photographs in Yamuna Alluvial plain,Haryana

Salinity is creating great problems in the Yamuna Alluvial Plain. State Government is taking steps for reclaiming these lands to increase agricultural production. Impeded drainage, excess canal irrigation, topography parent material, shallow depth and bad quality of ground water are the main factors which are responsible for the genesis of saline soils in the alluvial plains of Haryana. On the arial photographs tonal differences on account of salt concentration in the soil are clearly seen. These differences are aslo associated with physiography and soil conditions which can be easily delineated. The information thus; collected can be used for reclamation of saline soils.     

Wavelet-based detection of bush encroachment in a savanna using multi-temporal aerial photographs and satellite imagery

Although increased woody plant abundance has been reported in tropical savannas worldwide, techniques for detecting the direction and magnitude of change are mostly based on visual interpretation of historical aerial photography or textural analysis of multi-temporal satellite images. These techniques are prone to human error and do not permit integration of remotely sensed data from diverse sources. Here, we integrate aerial photographs with high spatial resolution satellite imagery and use a discrete wavelet transform to objectively detect the dynamics in bush encroachment at two protected Zimbabwean savanna sites. Based on the recently introduced intensity-dominant scale approach, we test the hypotheses that: (1) the encroachment of woody patches into the surrounding grassland matrix causes a shift in the dominant scale. This shift in the dominant scale can be detected using a discrete wavelet transform regardless of whether aerial photography and satellite data are used; and (2) as the woody patch size stabilises, woody cover tends to increase thereby triggering changes in intensity. The results show that at the first site where tree patches were already established (Lake Chivero Game Reserve), between 1972 and 1984 the dominant scale of woody patches initially increased from 8 m before stabilising at 16 m and 32 m between 1984 and 2012 while the intensity fluctuated during the same period. In contrast, at the second site, which was formely grass-dominated site (Kyle Game Reserve), we observed an unclear dominant scale (1972) which later becomes distinct in 1985, 1996 and 2012. Over the same period, the intensity increased. Our results imply that using our approach we can detect and quantify woody/bush patch dynamics in savanna landscapes.     

An integrated methodology for soil moisture analysis using multispectral data in Mongolia

Soil moisture (SM) content is one of the most important environmental variables in relation to land surface climatology, hydrology, and ecology. Long-term SM data-sets on a regional scale provide reasonable information about climate change and global warming specific regions. The aim of this research work is to develop an integrated methodology for SM of kastanozems soils using multispectral satellite data. The study area is Tuv (48°40′30″N and 106°15′55″E) province in the forest steppe zones in Mongolia. In addition to this, land surface temperature (LST) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from Landsat satellite images were integrated for the assessment. Furthermore, we used a digital elevation model (DEM) from ASTER satellite image with 30-m resolution. Aspect and slope maps were derived from this DEM. The soil moisture index (SMI) was obtained using spectral information from Landsat satellite data. We used regression analysis to develop the model. The model shows how SMI from satellite depends on LST, NDVI, DEM, Slope, and Aspect in the agricultural area. The results of the model were correlated with the ground SM data in Tuv province. The results indicate that there is a good agreement between output SM and SM of ground truth for agricultural area. Further research is focused on moisture mapping for different natural zones in Mongolia. The innovative part of this research is to estimate SM using drivers which are vegetation, land surface temperature, elevation, aspect, and slope in the forested steppe area. This integrative methodology can be applied for different regions with forest and desert steppe zones.     

Urban land use change detection using sequential aerial photographs and spot image case study: Chiangmai,Thailand

In most of the developing countries, cities are expanding due to urbanization. To cope-up with problem, planners/decision makers need up-to-date physical data base for proper planning and management of the cities. Such data base can be generated quickly through aerial/satellite remote sensing techniques. In this ‘Case Study’ of Chiangmai, Thailand, sequential aerial photographs and SPOT image were used for urban landuse change studies. A comparison was also made for the growth studies of SPOT and aerial photographs. The analysis of study revealed that maximum agriculture land was converted to urban landuse. Urban growth of the city found to be 3.5 times less in case of SPOT results compared to aerial photographs. Urban landuse change was observed all around the city.     

Morphometric analysis of a drainage basin using aerial photographs: A case study of Khairkuli basin,district Dehradun,U.P.

Remote sensing techniques using satellite images and aerial photographs are convenient tools in morphometric analysis of a drainage basin. In the present study morphometric parameters of Khairkuli drainage basin, district Dehradun, are worked out using aerial photographs. The parameters worked out include bifurcation ratio, stream length, form factor, circulatory ratio, elongation ratio, drainage density, constant of channel maintenance and stream frequency. Hypsometric relations of drainage basin are also presented. Relation between cumulative stream length and the stream order establishes that the ratio between cumulative stream length Σ ₁ ^u Σ ₁ ^nu Lu and the stream order u is constant throughout the. successive orders of a drainage basin suggesting that geometrical similarity is preserved in the basins of increasing order. The morphometric parameters computed suggest that the area is covered by resistant permeable rocks (with fracture and karstic porosities) and vegetative cover, the drainage network is affected by tectonic disturbances. The peak flows generated from the basin are likely to be moderately high and of short duration.     

TerraSAR-X卫星影像中大比例尺测图应用研究

为了研究TerraSAR-X卫星的中大比例尺测图可行性,文章利用成都都江堰市3m、1m分辨率的TerraSAR-X影像、控制点及可见光卫星影像,对TerraSAR-X影像在多云多雨地区的中、大比例尺测图展开了研究和分析。实验表明利用TerraSAR-X影像能够符合中大比例尺基础地图测图或修测的精度要求,可用于困难地区1∶50 000~1∶10 000比例尺的基础测图生产和更新。     

Analysis of urban landuse change using sequential aerial photographs and spot data: An example of north Bhubaneswar,Orissa

As urban area undergoes a rapid change it will be necessary to review development and the urban plans once in five years in relation to important public and other decisions taken from time to time. In order to know the trend of development and landuse patterns, analysis of sequential aerial photographs and satellite imagery of different years can be a useful tool for interpretation of various landuses and their comparison, In the present study an attempt has been made to understand the change detection using sequential aerial photographs of 1974 and 1989, and comparison with SPOT data of I988 with the help of ‘USEMAP’ GIS software package.     

航空测量场景下的中长基线动态定位方法

单基站中长基线动态相对定位受到大气残余误差影响,无法快速固定整周模糊度,定位精度和可靠性不如短基线场景。在航空测量场景下,流动站与基准站之间的基线由短到长变化,利用短基线场景下固定的整周模糊度反算得到高精度的电离层延迟量,并对其进行建模预报。随着基线变长,利用预报的电离层延迟约束中长基线定位模型,实现快速模糊度固定。本文分析了动态长基线情形下的电离层延迟的时变特性,采用滑动窗口进行电离层建模预报,讨论了该方法在航空测量实际作业中的实施条件、定位精度及模糊度固定情况。实测机载数据的解算结果表明,使用该方法,当测量载体出发阶段处于短基线场景下,单基站相对定位结果就可以达到接近100%的模糊度固定率,且定位精度保持在厘米级,显著减小了航空测量任务的作业成本。     

Assessment of floodplain landuse and channel morphology within meandering reach of the Talar River in Iran using GIS and aerial photographs

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to investigate and monitor the landuse and morphological changes in the floodplain part of the Talar River, northern parts of Iran. In the present study, the aerial photographs have been used to produce landuse maps of the floodplain for three periods including 1968, 1994, and 2013. The quantitative analysis of the produced landuse maps showed that the floodplain has undergone substantial landuse changes. Moreover, the sediment bar and the beach area have been decreased about 97 and 90%, respectively, during the 45-year period. Substantial increases of 192 and 622% have been observed for orchards and residential areas, respectively. On the other hand, not only the forest and riparian vegetation were decreased but also the average width of river was decreased about 25.5 m. In addition, flow length of the study reach increased about 8 m. The RNCI was about ?0.7 m per year indicating sedimentation process. During the period of 1968–2013, Caspian Sea has retreated about 150 m and the delta of Talar River was changed. This study showed that morphological actions during first 26 years (1968–1994) were the stable and last 19 years had the change period, especially sedimentation (bar).     

Study of drainage profiles in Jharia Coalfield,eastern India from aerial photographs: Implication for land use planning

Drainage analysis of an area through aerial photographs helps a lot in knowing its soil textrue, mainly its porosity, permeability, grainsize and compactness. These observations may be used as a guide for land use planning over the area. Studies have been conducted in Jharia Coalfield through scanning of acrial photographs to know the textural characters of soil/rock cover over the area. Nature of valley profiles have been studied in detail. The overall drainage pattern and drainage texture have also been studied. The observation have been used to infer about the textue of the materials (rock/soil) traversed by the drainage lines in the region. The observations suggest that the major part of the field is covered by materials of moderate cohesiveness with good porosity, permeability and recharge capacity. These informations have been used as critical inputs for future land use planning in the area.