CyberConnector: a service-oriented system for automatically tailoring multisource Earth observation data to feed Earth science models

Feeding multisource Earth observation (EO) data into Earth science models (ESM) remains a daunting challenge. This paper presents a service-oriented approach as an alternative solution. It uses geospatial web services to process the EO data and geoprocessing workflow for automation. Different from existing approaches, it takes advantage of virtual data products (VDP) to release modelers from intensive data processing. It can directly connect ESMs to public EO sources via Cyberinfrastructure. A prototype called CyberConnector is implemented. CyberConnector supports intuitive building of VDP, automatic execution of workflows and effortless retrieval of model-ready input files. We used it to stream multiple datasets to several ESMs including finite-volume coastal ocean model (FVCOM) and cloud-resolving model (CRM). The results show that CyberConnector can truly benefit modelers on time saving and effort minimizing.     

Building resilience to natural hazards in Indonesia: progress and challenges in implementing the Hyogo Framework for Action

Over the last 50?years, the cost of natural disasters has increased globally and in Indonesia (EM-DAT 2012). We therefore need more systematic efforts in trying to reduce disaster risks. In 2005, the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction created the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) 2005?C2015: ??Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities??, in order to enable a more systematic planning, implementation and evaluation of disaster risk reduction (DRR) activities. In this paper, we examine Indonesia??s success in improving DRR by reviewing the country??s progress in implementing the HFA Priorities for Actions. This includes an analysis of the drivers, challenges and emerging issues in building resilience to natural hazards. The study is undertaken through literature reviews and interviews with 26 representatives of key organisations in DRR and climate change adaptation (CCA) in Indonesia. Our findings indicate that the building disaster resilience in Indonesia has been, to a large extent, driven by the existence of the necessary regulatory policies and frameworks and the participation of various non-government stakeholders. Impediments to process include a lack of capacity and capability for DRR at the local government level, a lack of systematic learning and a lack of commitment from government to mainstream DRR into broader development agendas. Emerging pressing issues that are likely to challenge future resilience building activities include the integration of DRR and CCA and urban risk governance.     

Spatial modelling of social and economic vulnerability to floods at the district level in Búzi, Mozambique

In Mozambique, the district level is empowered through recent policies to carry out disaster risk reduction activities. To address risk and associated activities appropriately, both information on the occurrence and distribution of hazards and information on the spatial distribution of vulnerability have to be available. Within this paper, a method is presented to model the social and economic dimension of vulnerability in a spatial and integrative manner applying the geon approach. Homogenous vulnerability regions are identified through the application of integrated modelling approaches, which build on expert and upscaled local knowledge and weightings. A set of indicators is proposed, which allow the modelling of vulnerability in a data-scarce environment. Finally, the different perceptions between national experts and local community members are visualised through maps, and opportunities are discussed. Overall, the method and results presented aim to facilitate the identification of critical vulnerability areas through different views, serving the needs at decision makers?? and experts?? level.     

Cooperation in earth observation missions in Africa: a role for afrigeoss

This paper is aimed at examining the role of African Global Earth Observation System of Systems (AfriGEOSS) in Earth Observation (EO) mission cooperation on the continent of Africa. It discusses the importance of earth observation programs for developing countries as well as the benefits of international cooperative efforts. The paper further examined some collaborative projects on Earth Observation in Africa and their associated problems. It specifically looked at the EO data coordination initiatives such as the Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI), GEOSS, Africa Discovery Broker, etc. It then situates AfriGEOSS in the context of African Space Agenda (ASA) with recommendations especially to the Africa Union Commission for the realization of ASA set goals. The paper reiterated that regardless of whether developed or developing, Earth observation information provides substantial benefit supporting economic development, decision making and policy implementation of all countries of the world. This is as a result of its multifarious benefits to humans in areas like agriculture, forestry, risk management, disaster monitoring, maritime, defence and security and natural resources management. Consequently, the paper argued that the numerous benefits from space assets have driven countries within the continent of Africa to either acquire or develop capabilities in space systems which is devoted to improving quality of life in general. The paper concluded that while space systems are expensive, there is need for continuity and sustainability as a result of its numerous advantages to the human’s society.     

基于GIS和GDAL的地质灾害汛期风险预警产品信息自动化生成算法的构建与实现

我国大陆从2003年开始开展了汛期区域地质灾害气象预警工作,并形成预警产品面向公众的发布,在地质灾害防治中发挥着重要的作用。而地质灾害预警描述信息是地质灾害预警产品的重要组成,包括了预警范围、等级、时段和文字说明等内容,为了快速形成权威、科学、精准的这一信息,文章研究了一种可高效自动分析形成初步的预警产品描述信息的技术算法,并对其进行了验证分析。算法以研究区行政区划图和预警区划图为数据源,以设计的三级预警等级为主键的预警等级集合概念模型为基础,采用GIS技术,通过空间信息叠加与判别、预警等级分布面积占比求算、分布范围描述和单元分布方位求算等为关键方法,将图面内容快速地转换为直观的文本描述,可实现预警产品中描述信息的自动化获取。在验证环节,设计了11个虚拟乡镇为预警范围,预警区划图层以3 km×3 km为预警等级单元,预警单元总数为5 194个,文件为Shapefile格式;验证过程基于GDAL库(Geospatial Data Abstraction Library)和C++语言,按照算法设计了软件工具,利用实验数据进行了验证与分析,结果表明,通过该算法形成的预警描述信息和预警区划图层...     

Fragmentation Assessment using the FragScan System: Quality of a Blast

Checking the quality of a blast may be considered as subjective. Checking this quality will require measuring objective parameters. One of them is the resulting fragmentation of the blasted product. Numerous fragmentation 'measuring' systems have been developed and marketed, based on image-processing. This presentation of FragScan will illustrate advantages and difficulties when using such a system. FragScan is essentially defending a policy of large and representative sampling. The purpose is to show how fragmentation is discriminating both productivity and profit of quarry operations on a blast-by blast basis. The next step will then be to 'drive' the blasting process to reach a 'better' fragmentation. Other applications require the fragmentation as an essential result: this is the case for large boulders used in structure-reinforcement. Several case-studies have shown that FragScan can be used for quality-control, checking size-distribution of the product according to the requirements of the end-user. Only clear thinking about the precise use of such a 'measurement' will further the success of this task.     

Using Lego NXT to explore scientific literacy in disaster prevention and rescue systems

This study explores the effectiveness of disaster prevention programs using NXT control techniques. The purpose of the cultivation of scientific literacy is to develop a more rational, scientific perspective on the current social changes and the impact of natural disasters. Using NXT as an effective scientific tool to support science education, we can further explore science education for the development of scientific literacy. The expectation confirmation model and technology acceptance model are used to explain the effect of technology products on the user??s satisfaction and intention. However, for the interpretation of scientific literacy, there is a lack of environmental and cognitive factors. So we combine social cognitive theory with social and scientific theories in our exploration of the use of NXT for the dominant effect of scientific literacy. The results demonstrate that users?? self-efficacy and the ease of use of NXT have low significance on use of scientific tools, but, at the end, it did not affect the user wishes. The interactions of NXT features and climate are the main causes of enhanced user intentions. Therefore, environmental factors are identified as an important reason for the development of scientific literacy. The results of this study on scientific literacy stimulate more directions for discussion.     

An assessment of multidimensional flood vulnerability at the provincial scale in China based on the DEA method

China suffers frequent and severe floods. A lot of studies have been done in the field of flood disaster, including flood vulnerability assessment. This paper develops assessment models of multidimensional flood vulnerability based on the data envelopment analysis method and identifies multidimensional flood vulnerability??population, death, agriculture and economy??at the provincial scale in China using flood damage data and socioeconomic statistical data from 2001 to 2010. Based on the characteristics of multidimensional flood vulnerability of each province, some suggestions for flood prevention and mitigation are suggested. The assessment models of multidimensional flood vulnerability are simple and can be used for vulnerability analysis of natural disaster at regional or national levels. The assessment of multidimensional flood vulnerability can provide multifaceted information that contributes to a deeper understanding of the flood vulnerability and provides a scientific base for the policy making and implementation of flood prevention and mitigation designs.     

Expert and information systems for technical SAR measures and buildings’ state evaluation

The situation after earthquake disasters is for a large part of the deployed field units very exceptional. Expert and information systems offer the possibility to support the decisions of the field personnel in such complex and unfamiliar situations. They can be used for training purposes and to support the operations in real cases. Two different expert and information systems were created. The first system supports the onsite search and rescue (SAR) personnel at building collapses and the second supports inspectors evaluating the buildings' states after earthquakes. In both cases, after the input of information related to a certain situation, the expert system poses context-sensitive subsequent questions and gives assistance for the site inspection. The expert and information system for rescue operations then generates advice concerning suitable SAR procedures and equipment for the given situation. Additionally, basic information, checklists and calculation components are offered as support. The expert and information system for the buildings’ state evaluation will assist the inspectors to decide reliably and in short time whether the buildings are safe to be further used or not after an earthquake. Interactive checklists depending on the building type as well as further auxiliary material will support the inspectors in classifying the buildings. Both systems are part of the also developed Disaster Management Tool (DMT). The presentation will include an overview of the knowledge collection and evaluation process, the development stage of both expert and information systems, their integration into the DMT and their use when coping with an earthquake disaster.     

Metrics for the comparative analysis of geospatial datasets with applications to high-resolution grid-based population data

Geospatial data sciences have emerged as critical requirements for high-priority application solutions in diverse areas, including, but not limited to, the mitigation of natural and man-made disasters. Three sets of metrics, adopted or customized from geo-statistics, applied meteorology and signal processing, are tested in terms of their ability to evaluate geospatial datasets, specifically two population databases commonly used for disaster preparedness and consequence management. The two high-resolution, grid-based population datasets are the following: The LandScan dataset available from the Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIST) group at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and the Gridded Population of the World (GPW) dataset available from the Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN) group at Columbia University. Case studies evaluate population data across the globe, specifically, the metropolitan areas of Washington DC, USA, Los-Angeles, USA, and Houston, USA, and London, UK, as well as the country of Iran. The geospatial metrics confirm that the two population datasets have significant differences, especially in the context of their utility for disaster readiness and mitigation. While this paper primarily focuses on grid based population datasets and disaster management applications, the sets of metrics developed here can be generalized to other geospatial datasets and applications. Future research needs to develop metrics for geospatial and temporal risks and associated uncertainties in the context of disaster management. The U. S. Government’s right to retain a non-exclusive, royalty-free license in and to any copyright is acknowledged.     

European space agency’s strategic contribution to seismology

The impacts of disaster events such as earthquakes on economic and human lives are increasing every year, in particular due to the growing urbanization. Until recently, stakeholders involved in disaster risk management focused their efforts mainly on the response phase, immediately after the crisis. Following the recommendations of several recent studies and in order to minimize the increasing impacts of natural disasters, decision-makers and major stakeholders have showed an increasing interest in mitigation activities. Earth Observation (EO) data from space could bring a significant added value to the various phases of the seismic risk management cycle from the mitigation and preparedness phases. Space agencies need to better contribute to the management of geohazards in response to the growing request from the community of users (e.g. seismologists, insurance companies, urban planners). To foster the use of EO remote sensing data, satellite data providers have to take the appropriate measures to remove the policy and technical barriers related to the data access. They have also to increase the awareness of the community of users on the potential benefits that could be gained from the use of EO satellite data. This paper will provide examples of areas where EO remote sensing data from space could bring an added value to the current management of risks and crisis related to earthquakes. Then, the paper will describe the strategic measures undertaken by the European Space Agency in an international framework, to foster the use of satellite data by the various relevant stakeholders.     

Optimization of product line design for environmentally conscious technologies in notebook industry

Promotion of green technologies related to notebook computer will have significant benefits in the environment. Notebook companies need to make a careful market assessment for green technologies. Due to the variety of consumer preferences for green technologies, as well as a hot competitive climate in notebook market, consumer preferences should be taken into consideration during the assessment process. This study classifies the green technologies of notebook industry. Some green technologies are not controlled by the environmental regulations but are popular among customers. This study named this kind of technologies niche green technologies. The product line design model can evaluate the design scheme based on customer preferences. Therefore, this study uses conjoin analysis to investigate the consumers’ preferences for assorted technology. Subsequently, product line design model is utilized to seek the optimal scheme of niche green technologies adoption based on the consumers’ preference. Results of conjoint analysis reveal that consumers value two attributes, including price and size. Furthermore, the preferences for niche green technologies in solid state drive disk and light emitting diode backlight surpass the former technology. After the assessment of market situation with product line design model, two types of niche green technologies, including lithium polymer battery and light emitting diode backlight are suggested for the adoption of new products design.     

Social networks in spatial data infrastructures

Data sharing over the internet is increasingly efficient and increasingly anonymous. This growing anonymity makes it difficult for data users to exchange feedback: interesting ideas, innovations, ancillary data, concerns about data quality, etcetera. For data producers not knowing the end-users makes it more difficult to collect end-user feedback and tailor the production process to users needs. Feedback can be exchanged through social networks, in other words contacts with other users. Very little is known about such social networks in the case of data sharing. In this paper we present an analysis of the social networks associated with two land cover datasets. We found that most users have zero to two links to other users and virtually no links to users in other her organisations. Without these links, it seems almost impossible to identify users of a particular dataset. Internet technology can help but is currently not used to enhance exchange of feedback within the user community.     

油气长输管道滑坡地质灾害危险性评价专家系统研究

以运营的油气长输管道工程为依托,在收集、整理、综合分析既有资料基础上,通过对大量滑坡案例进行分析,明确了滑坡地质灾害的主要诱发因素与稳定性控制指标,建立了滑坡危险性评价指标体系。应用专家系统研究方法,建立油气长输管道线路滑坡地质灾害危险性评价专家系统,并对具体工程进行了地质灾害危险性评估,结果符合实际,可为油气长输管道工程地质灾害减灾防灾提供技术支撑。     

GIS-based multi-dimensional risk assessment of the grassland fire in northern China

This study presents a methodology for risk analysis and assessment to manage grassland fire in northern China based on the Geographical Information Systems from the viewpoints of climatology, geography, disaster science, and environmental science and so on. Using natural disaster and risk assessment theory, a multi-dimensional grassland fire risk index (MGFRI) was proposed by integrating weighted comprehensive method, analytic hierarchy process, and fuzzy gamma method into natural disaster risk index. The developed MGFRI will be an easily understandable tool to manage grassland fire by comparing the risk of regions in the northern China and relative contributions of various factors, for example, hazard, exposure, vulnerability, and management ability. A scale of one to five was derived to measure the risk degree. It shows that 4.4?% of grassland falls in the category of ??very high?? risk, followed by 9.6, 19.1, 60.9, and 5.9?%, respectively, in the categories ??high??, ??middle??, ??low??, and ??very low??. The assessment results show reliability by test. The results in this study are intended to support local, provincial, and national government agencies to: (1) make resource allocation decisions; (2) make high-level planning decisions; and (3) raise public awareness of grassland fire risk, its causes, and ways to manage it.     

Expansion of landscape characterisation methods within the Hydrogeological Landscape Framework: application in the Australian Capital Territory

The Hydrogeological Landscape (HGL) Framework is a landscape-characterisation tool that is used to discern areas of similar physical, hydrogeological, hydrological, chemical and biological properties, referred to as HGL Units. The HGL Framework facilitates prioritisation of natural-resource management investment by identifying current and potential hazards in the landscape. Within prioritised regions, on-ground management actions are tailored for specific Management Areas within individual HGL Units. The HGL Unit boundaries are determined through expert interpretation of spatial and field based datasets, such as climate, landform, geology, regolith, soil, stream network, groundwater flow systems, water quality and vegetation assemblages. The resulting HGL Units are validated by an interdisciplinary team using field assessment and biophysical testing. The use of the HGL Framework for new applications creates opportunities for refinement of the existing methodology and products for end users. This paper uses an application in the Australian Capital Territory as a case study to illustrate two enhanced techniques for the landscape characterisation component of the HGL Framework: use of an unsupervised statistical learning algorithm, Self-Organising Maps (SOM), to further validate HGL Units; and landform modelling to assist in delineation of Management Areas. The combined use of SOM and landform modelling techniques provides statistical support to the existing expert and field-based techniques, ensuring greater rigour and confidence in determination of landscape patterns. This creates a more refined HGL Framework landscape-characterisation tool, facilitating more precise hazard assessment and strategic natural-resource management by end users.     

Spatially enabled bushfire recovery

Over the last decade growth in spatial information use for disaster management has been considerable. Maps and spatial data are now recognized as critical elements in each of the four phases of disaster management: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. The use of spatial information to support the phases of mitigation, preparedness and response to bushfires is widely understood. Less attention, however, has been given to the role of spatial information in the recovery. Moreover, the application of the spatially enabled society concept to bushfire recovery has not been explored. This paper explores the role that spatial information plays and could play in the recovery phase of a bushfire disaster. The bushfires in Victoria, Australia that took place during February 2009 are used as the primary case study. It is found that: Spatial information for recovery requires a pre-existing infrastructure; Spatial capacity must be developed across agencies dealing with recovery; Spatially enabled address and parcel information are the key dataset required to support all recovery tasks; Spatial integration of bushfire datasets (spread and intensity) require linking with planning regimes, and Spatial information that is volunteered could be incorporated into recovery activities.     

新疆冰雹灾害经济损失评估及风险区划研究

基于1984-2014年新疆雹灾受灾面积、总成灾面积、农作物播种面积、新疆生产总值及以县为单位的雹灾频次等统计数据,构建雹灾经济损失指标和风险度指标,进行新疆冰雹灾害评估研究。其中雹灾经济损失指标可用于评价新疆雹灾经济损失的趋势变化,风险度指标可借助GIS空间信息处理技术形成新疆雹灾风险区划。研究表明：雹灾经济损失总体呈波动上升趋势,且受环境不稳定度的影响较大,二者保持着较好的正相关性。新疆冰雹灾害总体以中、低度风险为主,高风险次之。高风险区主要集中在喇叭形河谷地带的伊犁地区及其两侧的阿克苏、博州等地,建议通过调整农业产业结构、提升人工防雹能力等方式降低上述区域的雹灾损失。     

Remote sensed data for automatic detection of land-use changes due to human activity in support to landslide studies

Slope instability studies appear to recognize a number of potential superficial slide-producing agents, which may be directly detected and monitored with Earth Observation (EO) data. The main objective of this work is to use conventional EO data and automatic techniques for providing land-use change maps useful in landslide prevention. The idea is to use the detection of changes in areas already involved in landslide events as a precursory sign of variations in the equilibrium status of the slope, independently from other natural triggering events, such as rain and seismic events. Attention is focused on man-induced surface changes, such as deforestation, urban expansion and construction of artificial structures. A historical set of 20 multi-temporal Landsat TM images, covering the period 1987–2000, was analyzed using a supervised change detection technique on a test site affected by slope instability phenomena located in the Abruzzo region in Southern Italy. A change image is obtained by comparing year-specific thematic map pairs. It contains useful information not only on the place where a transition occurred, but also on the specific classes involved in the transitions between two different years. The full set of change images is used to extract class-conditional transition probabilities, to evaluate variations in specific class distribution and the total number of changed pixels in time. Four classes and their transitions were considered in the analysis: (1) arboreous land, (2) agricultural land, (3) barren land, and (4) artificial structures. The quantitative analysis of the class-joint transition probability values of some specific class-transitions that may worsen slope stability showed that in an area prone to landslides the probability of landslide re-activation or first activation is higher where changes have occurred. Although based on a limited number of known events, such a result encourages extensive experimentation of the proposed technique on better documented landslide test sites.     

Volcanic threat in developing countries of the Asia�CPacific region: probabilistic hazard assessment, population risks, and information gaps

The importance of disaster reduction has gained increased awareness within the international development community and thereby highlighted a need for a preliminary assessment of natural hazard risk in developing countries of the Asia?CPacific, including that for volcanic eruption. In this paper, we present a key component of such an assessment, which involved qualifying the frequency and potential consequences of large??Volcanic Explosivity Index of four or more??volcanic eruptions. The frequencies of large eruptions from volcanoes grouped by region were determined from frequency?Cmagnitude plots using data provided by the Smithsonian Institution??s Global Volcanism Program. However, calculated frequencies represent only minimum values due to an incomplete eruption record. Unfortunately, limited data precluded the calculation of eruption frequencies for the Solomon Islands, Fiji and Samoa. A first-order analysis of the populations potentially impacted by large volcanic eruptions suggest that (1) volcanic disasters affecting populations of >100,000 can be expected at least every decade in Indonesia and once every few decades in the Philippines and (2) a volcanic disaster impacting >1% of the population can be expected twice a century in Vanuatu, twice a millennium for Indonesia and the Philippines, and around every millennium in Papua New Guinea and Tonga.