Monitoring of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphis gossypii</Emphasis> Using Greenseeker and SPAD Meter

Cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) is considered as one of the most important agriculture pest for the cotton production. However, it is generally labor-intensive and time-consuming to obtain some information of Cotton aphid with conventional methods through direct measurement by sampling in the field. This study explores the potential of using a new method to obtain information of the Cotton aphid rapidly. In our study, the cotton canopy spectral indices (NDVI, VI_2, REDrefc, NIRrefc) and chlorophyll concentration, obtained from hand-held high spectrometer GreenSeeker and chlorophyll meter SPAD-502 and Cotton aphid amount derived from the artificial field-based survey were used to uncover the relationship between Cotton aphid amount and canopy spectral index and SPAD value of the cotton in city of Shihezi, China. The results showed that NDVI and NIRrefc were negatively related to Cotton aphid amount. VI_2 content had a significant and positive relationship with its amount. The non-linear three cubic models with alate Aphid amount as independent variables have been established between VI_2 value and alatae Aphid amount, which could explain 92.37 % of VI_2 value variance. SPAD values were also significantly and negatively correlated to the Aphid amount. The non-linear logarithm model with wingless Aphid amount as independent variables was the best for uncovering the relationship between SPAD value and wingless Aphid amount, which could explain 85.48 % of SPAD value variance. The results demonstrate the establishment of the function model provides a theoretical basis and techniques for indirect and rapid monitoring and management of Cotton aphid.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">C</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis><Subscript>0</Subscript> estimators for high-sensitivity snapshot GNSS receivers

We address the problem of estimating the carrier-to-noise ratio (C/N₀) in weak signal conditions. There are several environments, such as forested areas, indoor buildings and urban canyons, where high-sensitivity global navigation satellite system (HS-GNSS) receivers are expected to work under these reception conditions. The acquisition of weak signals from the satellites requires the use of post-detection integration (PDI) techniques to accumulate enough energy to detect them. However, due to the attenuation suffered by these signals, estimating their C/N₀ becomes a challenge. Measurements of C/N₀ are important in many applications of HS-GNSS receivers such as the determination of a detection threshold or the mitigation of near-far problems. For this reason, different techniques have been proposed in the literature to estimate the C/N₀, but they only work properly in the high C/N₀ region where the coherent integration is enough to acquire the satellites. We derive four C/N₀ estimators that are specially designed for HS-GNSS snapshot receivers and only use the output of a PDI technique to perform the estimation. We consider four PDI techniques, namely non-coherent PDI, non-quadratic non-coherent PDI, differential PDI and truncated generalized PDI and we obtain the corresponding C/N₀ estimator for each of them. Our performance analysis shows a significant advantage of the proposed estimators with respect to other C/N₀ estimators available in the literature in terms of estimation accuracy and computational resources.     

基于改进的模糊c-均值聚类方法遥感影像分类研究(英文)

Classification is always the key point in the field of remote sensing. Fuzzy c-Means is a traditional clustering algorithm that has been widely used in fuzzy clustering. However, this algorithm usually has some weaknesses, such as the problems of falling into a local minimum, and it needs much time to accomplish the classification for a large number of data. In order to overcome these shortcomings and increase the classification accuracy, Gustafson-Kessel （GK） and Gath-Geva （GG） algorithms are proposed to improve the traditional FCM algorithm which adopts Euclidean distance norm in this paper. The experimental result shows that these two methods are able to detect clusters of varying shapes, sizes and densities which FCM cannot do. Moreover, they can improve the classification accuracy of remote sensing images.     

Crop Evapotranspiration Estimation for Wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.) Using Remote Sensing Data in Semi-Arid Region of Maharashtra

Penman–Monteith method adapted to satellite data was used for the estimation of wheat crop evapotranspiration during the entire growth period using satellite data together with ground meteorological measurements. The IRS-1D/IRS-P6 LISS-III sensor data at 23.5 m spatial resolution for path 096 and row 059 covering the study area were used to derive, albedo, normalized difference vegetation index, leaf area index and crop height and then to estimate wheat crop evapotranspiration referred to as actual evapotranspiration (ETact). The ETact varied from 0.86 to 3.41 mm/day during the crop growth period. These values are on an average 16.40 % lower than wheat crop potential evapotranspiration (ETc) estimated as product of reference crop evapotranspiration estimated by Penman–Monteith method and lysimetric crop coefficient (Kc). The deviation of ETact from ETc is significant, when both the values were compared with t test for paired two sample means. Though the observations on ETact were taken from well maintained unstressed experimental plot of 120 × 120 m size, there was significant deviation. This deviation could be attributed to, the satellite images representing the actual crop evapotranspiration as function crop canopy biophysical parameters, condition of the crop stand, climatic and soil conditions and the microclimate variation over area of one hectare. However, Penman–Monteith method represents a flat rate of specific growth stage of the crop.     

Some issues in contextual fuzzy <Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis>-means classification of remotely sensed data for land cover mapping

Earlier for the hard classification techniques contextual information was used to improve classification accuracy. While modelling the spatial contextual information for hard classifiers using Markov Random Field it has been found that Metropolis algorithm is easier to program and it performs better in comparison to the Gibbs sampler. In the present study it has been found that incase of soft contextual classification Metropolis algorithm fails to sample from a random field efficiently and from the analysis it was found that Metropolis algorithm is not suitable for soft contextual classification due to the high dimensionality of the soft outputs.     

A note on the SG(<Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis>) test

López et al. (Reg Sci Urban Econ 40(2–3):106–115, 2010) introduce a nonparametric test of spatial dependence, called SG(m). The test is claimed to be consistent and asymptotically Chi-square distributed. Elsinger (Reg Sci Urban Econ 43(5):838–840, 2013) raises doubts about the two properties. Using a particular counterexample, he shows that the asymptotic distribution of the SG(m) test may be far from the Chi-square family; the property of consistency is also questioned. In this note, the authors want to clarify the properties of the SG(m) test. We argue that the cause of the conflict is in the specification of the symbolization map. The discrepancies can be solved by adjusting some of the definitions made in the original paper. Moreover, we introduce a permutational bootstrapped version of the SG(m) test, which is powerful and robust to the underlying statistical assumptions. This bootstrapped version may be very useful in an applied context.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">3D</Emphasis> Modelling of Urban Area Using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is a newly-developed remote sensing technology that works in all weather and independent of daylight. Recent satellite designs such as TerraSAR-x, which have resolutions of a couple of meters and sub-meters, have provided appropriate data for modelling and monitoring of urban areas. Image classification and height information extraction is possible considering the nature of SAR data. In this paper, a proper classification method for high-resolution SAR images has been used in urban areas. This classifier is based on statistical models. First, statistical models that are well adapted to urban SAR images are selected. Initial labelling is performed using the maximum likelihood method. A method based on Markov random fields is applied to improve the results by considering neighbourhood information. Meanwhile, topographic information is extracted using the phase difference obtained from SAR interferometry. After classification and height extraction, the homogeneous regions consisting of locations with similar objects are determined. The homogeneous region adjacency graph are generated using vectors containing classification information, extracted objects, height of pixels forming each region, and information on the neighbouring areas. Height and classification information are then merged by assigning height conditions based on the nature of objects and optimizing an energy function. The results obtained, including buildings, streets, and corner reflectors, are easily recognizable. The overall accuracy is improved from 57% in the initial classification to 95% in the employed procedure. Moreover, the accuracy of height estimation is about 2.74 m, which is acceptable for height estimations of buildings with more than one floor.     

Synergistic use of multi-temporal Radarsat SAR and AWiFS data for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rabi</Emphasis> rice identification

A national level project on kharif rice identification and acreage estimation is being carried out successfully for several states in the country. A similar methodology based on the temporal profile for identification and delineation of various land cover classes has been followed for the Rabi rice acreage estimation. To define rabi rice, rabi season in India starts from November — February to March — June. Though the main growing season is predominantly winter but the uncertainty of getting cloud free data during the season has resulted in the use of microwave data. A feasibility study was taken up for early forecasting of the rabi rice area using microwave data. Hierarchical decision rule classification technique was used for the identification of the different land cover classes. Land preparation, puddling and transplantation were the reasons for the specific backscatter of rice growing areas. The increase or decrease in the SAR backscatter due to progress in the crop phenology or due to delayed sowing respectively forms the basis for identifying the rice areas. In addition the potential of optical data of a later date has been utilized in the form of various indices from bands including MIR to distinctly separate the late sown areas and also the puddled areas from other areas. This study emphasizes the synergistic use of SAR and optical data for delineating the rabi rice areas which is of immense use in giving an early forecast.     

Remote Sensing-Based Yield Forecasting for Sugarcane (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharum officinarum</Emphasis> L.) Crop in India

Early yield assessment at local, regional and national scales is a major requirement for various users such as agriculture planners, policy makers, crop insurance companies and researchers. This current study explored a remote sensing-based approach of predicting sugarcane yield, at district level, using Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), under the FASAL programme of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare. 13-years’ historical database (2003–2015) of NDVI was used to derive the VCI. NDVI products (MOD-13A2) of MODIS instrument on board Terra satellite at 16-day interval from first fortnight of June to second fortnight of October (peak growing period) were used to calculate the VCI. Stepwise regression technique was used to develop empirical models between VCI and historical yield of sugarcane over 52 major sugarcane-growing districts in five states of India. For all the districts, the empirical models were found to be statistically significant. A large number of statistical parameters were computed to evaluate the performance of VCI-based models in predicting district-level sugarcane yield. Though there was variation in model performance in different states, overall, the study showed the usefulness of VCI, which can be used as an input for operational sugarcane yield forecasting.     

Estimation of parameters in a split functional model of geodetic observations (<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript>split</Subscript> estimation)

The paper presents a method of estimating parameters in two competitive functional models. The models considered here are concerned with the same observation set and are based on the assumption that an observation may result from a realization of either of two different random variables. These variables differ from one another at least in the main characteristic (for example, outliers can be realizations of one variable). A quantity that describes the opportunity of identifying a single observation with one random variable is assumed to be known. That quantity, called the elementary split potential, is strictly referred to the amount of information that an observation can provide about two competitive assumptions concerning the observation distribution. Parameter assessments that maximize the global elementary split potential (concerning all observations), are called M _split estimators. A generalization of M _split estimation presented in the paper refers to the theoretical foundation of M-estimation. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Designing a protected area network for conservation planning in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Jhum</Emphasis> landscapes of Garo Hills,Meghalaya

We studied vegetation and land cover characteristics within the existing array of protected areas (PAs) in South Garo Hills of Meghalaya, northeast India and introduce the concept of protected area network (PAN) and methods to determine linkages of forests among existing PAs. We describe and analyse potential elements of a PAN, including PAs, reserved forests, surrounding buffers as zones of influence, and connecting forest corridors, which collectively can provide old-forest habitat for wildlife species linked across a landscape dominated by jhum (shifting cultivation) agriculture. ANOVA and Chisquare analyses of patch characteristics and forest tree diversity suggested the presence of equally species-rich and diverse old forest cover (tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous forest types) in portions of unprotected private and community owned land, which could be designated as additions to, and network linkages among, existing PAs. Such additions and linkages would help provide for conservation of elephants and existing native forest biodiversity and would constitute a PAN in the region. Most (80%) of the total forest cover of the region belongs to private or community owned land. Therefore, such additions could be formally recognized under the aegis of the 2003 amendments of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, which include provisions to designate selected forest patches within private lands as Community Reserves.     

Integrating a fuzzy <Emphasis Type="Italic">k</Emphasis>-means classification and a Bayesian approach for spatial prediction of landslide hazard

A robust method for spatial prediction of landslide hazard in roaded and roadless areas of forest is described. The method is based on assigning digital terrain attributes into continuous landform classes. The continuous landform classification is achieved by applying a fuzzy k-means approach to a watershed scale area before the classification is extrapolated to a broader region. The extrapolated fuzzy landform classes and datasets of road-related and non road-related landslides are then combined in a geographic information system (GIS) for the exploration of predictive correlations and model development. In particular, a Bayesian probabilistic modeling approach is illustrated using a case study of the Clearwater National Forest (CNF) in central Idaho, which experienced significant and widespread landslide events in recent years. The computed landslide hazard potential is presented on probabilistic maps for roaded and roadless areas. The maps can be used as a decision support tool in forest planning involving the maintenance, obliteration or development of new forest roads in steep mountainous terrain.     

The polar form of the spherical harmonic spectrum: implications for filtering <Emphasis Type="BoldSmallCaps">grace</Emphasis> data

Representing the spherical harmonic spectrum of a field on the sphere in terms of its amplitude and phase is termed as its polar form. In this study, we look at how the amplitude and phase are affected by linear low-pass filtering. The impact of filtering on amplitude is well understood, but that on phase has not been studied previously. Here, we demonstrate that a certain class of filters only affect the amplitude of the spherical harmonic spectrum and not the phase, but the others affect both the amplitude and phase. Further, we also demonstrate that the filtered phase helps in ascertaining the efficacy of decorrelation filters used in the grace community.     

Geospatial modeling of Brown oak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus semecarpifolia</Emphasis>) habitats in the Kumaun Himalaya under climate change scenario

The study explores the use of multiple criteria decision techniques in predicting spatial niche of Brown oak (also known as Kharsu oak, Quercus semecarpifolia Sm.) formation in midaltitude (2,400–3,500 meter amsl) Kumaun Himalaya. Predictive models using various climatic and topographical factors influencing Brown oak’s growth and survival were developed to define its current ecological niche. Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) method involving Saaty’s pair-wise comparison was performed to rank the explanatory powers of each compared variable. Variables were suitably weighted using fuzzy factor standardization scheme to reflect their relative importance in defining species niche. An optimum indicator was then chosen for deriving a site suitability map of brown oak. This study establishes the role of aspect in the current distribution of the species along with known influence of altitude. Future niches of oak has been tracked in the projected climate change scenario of +1°C and +2°C rise in temperature and 20 mm in precipitation. The results show that on predicted +1°C and +2°C increase in temperature, present habitat of brown oak distribution may be reduced by 40 per cent and 76 per cent respectively.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Integrated Remote Sensing and</Emphasis> Structural Analysis Studies of Tayyib Al-Ism Area,Northwestern Arabian Shield,Saudi Arabia

Geological and structural mappings of Tayyib Al-Ism area were carried out using the rocks finite strain data, the Landsat-7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) data and the field based observations. To analyze the finite strain in the studied rocks, the R_f /? and Fry methods are applied to feldspar porphyroclasts and mafic grains from nine metavolcano-sedimentary samples (Hegaf Formation), four diorite-gabbros suite samples (Sawawin Complex), two meta-granite samples (Ifal suite) and five Zuhd alkali granite samples. The obtained data indicate traces of high to moderate level of deformation in the meta-granite and metavolcano-sedimentary rocks. The axial ratios along the XZ section range from 1.70 to 4.80 for the R_f/? method and from 1.50 to 4.50 for the Fry method. A sub-vertical trend of short axes in association with sub-horizontal foliation is also observed. These informations allow us to conclude that a finite strain in the deformed granitic rocks is of the same order of magnitude as in the metavolcano-sedimentary rocks. The contacts between the metavolcano-sedimentary and granitic rocks in Tayyib al Ism area were formed during the granitic intrusions along some of the faults under brittle to semi-ductile deformation conditions. These faults have significantly influenced the geometry and style of rifting in the Red Sea during the Neogene. The finite strain was accumulated in the area during the process of deformation, which superimpose the already existed nappe structure. It indicates that the nappe contacts formed during the accumulation of finite strain. In addition to finite strain analysis, band ratio images (3/1, 5/3, 7/5) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) technique have been used, which proved effective in mapping geological and structural features of various rock bodies exposed in the study area.     

Study of the optimum time span for distinguishing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Avena ludoviciana</Emphasis> from wheat crop based on their spectral reflectance characteristics

The study to establish the optimum time span for distinguishing Avena ludoviciana from wheat crop based on their spectral signatures was carried out at Student’s Research Farm, Department of Agronomy during 2006–07 and 2007–08. The experimental sites during both the seasons were sandy loam in texture, with normal soil reaction and electrical conductivity, low in organic carbon and available nitrogen and medium in available phosphorus and potassium. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with four replications and consisting of twelve treatments comprising 0, 10, 15, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 200, 250 plants m⁻² and a pure Avena ludoviciana plot (T_max). The results revealed that in all the treatments irrespective of wheat and weeds, the red reflectance (%) value decreased from 34 to 95 DAS (days after sowing) in 2006–07 and 45 DAS to 100 DAS during 2007–08, and thereafter a sharp increase was observed in all the treatments. This trend might be due to increased chlorophyll index after 34 DAS as red reflectance was reduced by chlorophyll absorption. Among all the treatments, T_max (Pure Avena ludoviciana plot) had the highest red reflectance and T₀ (Pure wheat plot) had a lowest value of red reflectance during both the years. The highest value of IR reflectance was obtained at 95 DAS (2006–07) and 70 DAS (2007–08) in all the treatments. IR reflectance of wheat crop ranged between 24.61 and 61.21 per cent during 2006–07 and 27.33 and 67.3 per cent during 2007–08. However, IR reflectance values declined after 95 DAS and 70 DAS up to harvesting during 2006–07 and 2007–08. This lower reflectance may have been due to the onset of senescence. The highest RR and NDVI values were recorded under pure wheat treatment and minimum under pure weed plots. This may be due to dark green colour and better vigor of the wheat as compared to Avena ludoviciana. It was observed that by using RR and NDVI, pure wheat can be distinguished from pure populations of Avena ludoviciana after 34 DAS and different levels of weed populations can be discriminated amongst themselves from 68 DAS up to 107 DAS during both the years of investigation.     

Habitat Suitability Assessment of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ardeotis nigriceps</Emphasis> (Vigors) in Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary,Maharashtra (India) Using Remote Sensing and GIS

Ardeotis nigriceps, commonly known as Great Indian Bustard (GIB), is a Critically Endangered, Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Threatened (EDGE) and endemic species to the Indian subcontinent. GIB is under tremendous threat in its last strongholds and sliding inextricably towards extinction. The GIB sanctuary in Maharashtra (India) is one of the last refuges of the bird constituting an area of 8496 km² spread over in seven talukas of Solapur and Ahemednagar districts. Major portion of the sanctuary (94.3 %) consists of privately owned lands under a variety of economic vocations and large number of villages and townships. In view of the legal restrictions relating to Protected Area under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of India 1972, the inhabitants of villages and townships faced a very difficult situation regarding use of their lands, development of properties and deriving benefits from planned local and regional development. This created conflict between local people and the forest department over the use of land, which necessitated the rationalization of the sanctuary. The objective of the present study was to map the suitable habitat of GIB in GIB Wildlife Sanctuary as an input for the realignment of the GIB Sanctuary by identifying areas that are important for the GIB. Main parameters considered for the habitat suitability assessments are, habit and habitat of GIB, slope, minimum patch size and disturbance sources. Based on the criteria derived for the ecological and biological requirements of GIB, binary deductive habitat suitability modeling has been done using remote sensing and GIS and prioritized the potential habitats of GIB. The net area of important suitable habitat of GIB in GIB sanctuary is 2304.99 km² out of 8496.44 km². The output of the present study has been used as an input by the committee (set by Honorable Supreme court of India) on rationalization of the GIB Sanctuary and the sanctuary has been rationalized with an area of 1222 km².     

Assessment and validation of biological richness at Landscape Level in part of the Himalayas and Indo-Burma <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hotspots</Emphasis> using geospatial modeling approach

Validation is a necessary step for model acceptance and is defined as a comparison of the model’s predictions with real world to determine whether the model is suitable for its intended purpose. We have validated the biological richness index for three states generated in ‘Biodiversity Characterization at Landscape Level’ project under the aegis of Department of Biotechnology and Department of Space of the Government of India. Biological Richness (BR) index, described elsewhere as a cumulative property of ecological habitats and surroundings; was analyzed as an integrated ‘threetier modeling approach’ of (i) utilization of geospatial tools, (ii) limited field survey and (iii) landscape analysis.     

Assessing Metal-Induced Changes in the Visible and Near-Infrared Spectral Reflectance of Leaves: A Pot Study with Sunflower (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Helianthus annuus</Emphasis> L.)

The aim of this study was to monitor changes in leaf spectral reflectance due to phytoaccumulation of trace elements (Cd, Pb, and As) in sunflower mutant (M5 mutant line 38/R4-R6/15-35-190-04-M5) grown in spiked and in situ metal-contaminated potted soils. Reflectance spectra (350–2500 nm) of leaves were collected using portable ASD spectroradiometer, and respective leaves sample were analyzed for total metal contents. The spectral changes were quite noticeable and showed increased visible and decreased NIR reflectance for sunflower grown in soil spiked with 900 mg As kg^?1, and in in situ metal-contaminated soils. These changes also involved a blue-shift feature of red-edge position in the first derivatives spectra, studied vegetation indices and continuum removed absorption features at 495, 680, 970, 1165, 1435, 1780, and 1925 nm wavelength. Correlograms of leaf-metal concentration and reflectance values show highest degrees of overall correlation for visible, near-infrared, and water-sensitive wavelengths. Partial least square and multiple linear regression statistical models (cross-validated), respectively, based on Savitzky–Golay filter first-order derivative spectra and combination of spectral feature such as vegetation indices and band depths yielded good prediction of leaf-metal concentrations.