Terrain analysis of Panna District,Bundelkhand, Madhya Pradesh,using LANDSAT imagery

Visual interpretation of LANDSAT imagery in bands 6 and 7 covering Panna district, Bundelkhand, Madhya Pradesh was carried out for terrain analysis and present land use. The physiographic units viz. hills and hill ranges, escarpments, ridges, table-land, pediment, piedmont plain and sub-units of second order were identified and delineated using inter pretation elements. Area of each unit and sub-unit is calculated and presented in the table showing extent, tone, texture, shape and land use. Land use in relation to physiographic units is also described in the paper and shown in the form of small scale map. Visual interpretation technique helps in broad terrain analysis on scale 1:1 million. This information could be used for making a rapid resource inventory.     

Soil mapping and land use plan in tehri-garhwal district,uttar pradesh,using aerial photo-interpretation technique,highlighting soil-landscape relationship and land utilization

Soil mapping on the scale 1:50,000 was conducted in Tehri-Garhwal district of Uttar Pradesh using Survey of India Topographic maps and utilising aerial photographs of the area which were interpreted for demarcation of physiographic units, vegetation, drainage and other features relevant to soil development. Resulting soil map and soils and land use information have been helpful in presenting an optimum land use and management plan in the area keeping in view of the soils characteristics, terrain features and existing land use, Soils and physiographic interpretation in the area have highlighted significant soil-landscape relationships relevant to land utilization. The other factors responsible for soil formation which could be significant in the area i.e. climate and parent material were also taken into consideration apart from topography. Of all these factors topography was revealed to be the predominant factor governing soil formation in the area. Soil units mapped coincided with the physiographic units demarcated through aerial photo-interpretation. The area of the district could be divided into three climatic zones viz. (i) Cool temperate, (ii) Sub-tropical warm temperate and (iii) tropical following Kaushic (1962). It was noticed that in each climatic zone with the climate being almost uniform within the zone, irrespe tlve of variations in the parent material, soil development was markedly affected by topographly, variations which led to differences in soil characteristics particulary soil texture and amount of coarse fragments. In about 70 percent of the area of the district where slopes are steep to very steep, topography was revealed to be the dominant factor determining characteristic soil development. In the remaining part where slopes are moderate to gentle, parent material is the dominant factor followed by topography.     

Physiography and soils in an area of miocene clays,merida, spain

Studies were undertaken to study physiography and soils in Merida area of Spain with the help of aerial photographs in order to make morphogenetic interpretation of the landscape for a clearer understanding of the distributional pattern of soils. Physiography of the area presents a picture of flat to convex low table lands in step like succession. These were termed as mesitas. The mesitas do not slope regularly from summit to the valley bottom, but show at least three to four changes in the gradient. The diflerent physiographic units and associated soils are discussed. The morphometry of the landscape, especially sequential occurrence of mesitas in step like succession, asymmetric valleys, presence of promontories on lower slopes transverse to the general gradient, idealised alterations of petrocalcic and calcic horizons from mesita summit to valley bottom indicated a major physiographic process of mass movement in the form of rotational slips. The distributional pattern of the soil is explainable on this basis. From the logical sequence of climatic changes and the geologic history of the area, it is believed that after the large scale sedimentation during Miocene period, followed by large scale climatic changes and accompanied by tectonic activities the process of mass moveme. it http://moveme.it could have started sometime in Pliocene.     

DEM 地形描述误差的概率分布特征研究

以黄土丘陵1:1万DEM为基础数据,通过稀疏抽点法获取不同格网点布设位置下的DEM,进而分析不同分辨率DEM中单个地面点和区域地形单元的Et概率分布特征。实验结果表明:对于任意格网分辨率DEM,无论是不同布设方案下的单个地面点,还是区域地形单元,其Et的概率密度均呈现正态分布特征。对于单个地面点,如果以其为中心的3×3DEM格网单元区域以凸地形为主,其Et概率密度呈现出右偏正态分布特征;如果以凹地形为主,则呈现左偏正态分布特征,其他区域则呈现标准正态分布特征。     

Use of terain factors in evaluation and classifications of Darjeeling district,West bengal

The use of LANDSAT data has proved to be a major aid to semi-macroscale geomorphic mapping of terrain. The geomorphological contribution to the classifications of the Darjeeling District, using quantitative measures of selected terrain factors apart from conventional landsystem mapping on MSS-imagery, has been found to be more useful means of terrain evaluation as well as its proper development in resource management. Qualitative estimates of terrain factors, viz. altitude, relief, slope and dissection nature, drainage texture and pattern, valley forms and crest types coupled with landcover types etc. are considered in preparation of landsystem map of the area. Because of its subjective biasness, an alternative approach, the parametric method of terrain classification is carried out to analyse the spatial distributions of quantitative parameters on terrain factors viz. maximum altitude, average altitude, relative relief, average slope, dissection index, drainage density and ruggedness index etc. and to combine the resulting patterns into compositive generalizations. The composite map thus prepared reveals six terrain units of distinct morphological classes and are sufficiently equatable to certain physical conditions of terrain.     

An evaluation of unsupervised and supervised learning algorithms for clustering landscape types in the United States

Knowledge of landscape type can inform cartographic generalization of hydrographic features, because landscape characteristics provide an important geographic context that affects variation in channel geometry, flow pattern, and network configuration. Landscape types are characterized by expansive spatial gradients, lacking abrupt changes between adjacent classes; and as having a limited number of outliers that might confound classification. The US Geological Survey (USGS) is exploring methods to automate generalization of features in the National Hydrography Data set (NHD), to associate specific sequences of processing operations and parameters with specific landscape characteristics, thus obviating manual selection of a unique processing strategy for every NHD watershed unit. A chronology of methods to delineate physiographic regions for the United States is described, including a recent maximum likelihood classification based on seven input variables. This research compares unsupervised and supervised algorithms applied to these seven input variables, to evaluate and possibly refine the recent classification. Evaluation metrics for unsupervised methods include the Davies–Bouldin index, the Silhouette index, and the Dunn index as well as quantization and topographic error metrics. Cross validation and misclassification rate analysis are used to evaluate supervised classification methods. The paper reports the comparative analysis and its impact on the selection of landscape regions. The compared solutions show problems in areas of high landscape diversity. There is some indication that additional input variables, additional classes, or more sophisticated methods can refine the existing classification.     

基于遥感技术的干旱区土壤分类研究

以新疆艾比湖地区为研究区域,以ASTER和SPOT卫星数据为基础,探讨了干旱环境下基于土壤与景观关系的土壤遥感自动分类方法.首先,研究以实地调查资料和第二次全国土壤普查数据库为基础,结合遥感图像信息分析了试验区土壤类型与景观的关系.然后,基于遥感图像和地形数据提取了分类特征,并采用Jeffries-Matusita 距离分析建立了适用遥感分类的土壤分类系统和分类特征集.最后,采用最大似然法进行了自动分类.研究证明,基于遥感信息和地形数据提取的分类特征,可有效地区分试验区9类土壤和地表覆被,主要包括:盐碱化土壤、荒漠化土壤等,总体分类精度达到了90%左右.     

Deposition and genesis of alluvial soils in the Indo-Gangetic Alluvial Plain Muzaffarnagar (U.P.)

The area under study forms a part of the Indo-Gangetic Alluvial Plain, in Muzaffar Nagar District (Uttar Pradesh). To understand the relation of stratigraphy and geogenesis on one hand, and landscape and pedogensis on the other hand, the study was undertaken through a 40 km. long E-W. Cross-section of the area, with augering upto a depth of five metres or more, Aerial photographs (1:25,000) were used for delineating the major land forms and selection of cross-section and observations sites. Care was taken to cover all the main physiographic units occuring in the survey area. Four distinct depositional phases in Upper Alluvial Plain and two in Lower Alluvial Plain by Ganges, while first braided and then meandering have been recognized. Soil were classified according to Soil Taxonomy (1975), being Inceptisols and Alfisols in the Upper Alluvial Plain and Entisols in the Lower Alluvial Plain.     

Confirmation of soil physiographic units through soil mineralogy studies in Yamuna alluvial plain,India

A confirmatory study of soil physiographic units identified through aerial photo interpretation technique, in Yamuna alluvial plain, Haryana is presented here. The area under study is part of Yamuna alluvial plain in Sonepat district, Haryana. Shanwal and Malik (1980) studied and mapped this area (semi-detailed) on 1:25,000 scale through areial photo interpretation technique. The soil profile samples of major soil physiographic units of the area were fractionated into sand, silt and clay. Detail mineralagical studies were carried out through electron microscopic and X-ray diffractometer studies in order to know their nature and origin of the parent material. X-ray diffraction data shows that mineralogy of different fractions (Sand, silt and clay) of soils samples, of different physiographic units were similar except Lavee. In this area mica is the dominant day mineral in the soils followed by Kaolinite, chlorite, vermiculite and smectite in decreasing order of their abundances. The occurance of fibrous minerals in coarse clay and silt fraction of soil samples of Lavee physiographic unit is the interesting feature of this area. The presence of fibrous minerals indicates that this overlain material designated as natural Levee in this area is not the alluvium brought down by the river Yamuna but is aeolian material flown from adjoining deseret of Rajasthan and deposited as stabilized sand dune. The fibrous minerals have been reported earlier in the desert of Rajasthan.     

Physiography of the tons basin,Western Himalaya

Landsat RBV imagery on 1:500,000 was interpreted to prepare small scale physiography map of the part of the Tons basin. Aerial photographs on 1:60,000 to 1:80,000 scale were interpreted to prepare medium scale physiography map of the basin. The basin has been sub-divided into three physiographic regions viz. High to very high mountains constituting of glaciated and temperate high mountains; Low to moderately high mountains and very low maountains. The physiographic regions have been further sub-divided based on landforms, slope and dissection index. The major physiographic units are summits, repose slopes, serrated ridges with horn/arates; mountain and valley glaciers, morains, solufluction terraces, intrenched incised river valleys, engrown valleys, alluvial terraces, rocky slopes/cliffs and debris.     

基于随机森林的土地利用分类与景观格局分析

基于景观格局分析方法,分别选取8个反映景观格局类型和6个反映景观水平格局指数用于探索土地利用变化状况.实验结果表明:①基于选择合适的训练样本下,对3期遥感影像采用随机森林的监督分类方法,总体精度均在94％以上,kappa系数均为90％以上;②综合来看,研究期内建设用地为优势景观类型.研究区斑块数量增加,破碎化程度有所加...     

Assessing image processing techniques for geological mapping: a case study in Eljufra,Libya

Various image processing techniques were experimented with in this study to evaluate their efficiency for geological mapping in the Eljufra area of northwest Libya. Remote sensing data including multi-spectral optical Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+), Synthetic Aperture Radar (ERS-2 SAR) and Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) extracted from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data were used to trace different lithological units as well as extracting geological lineaments in the study area. The study area is located in an arid environment mostly devoid of any vegetation. Most lithological and structural units are distinguishable based on their topographic form and spectral properties. Fusion of ETM+ and ERS-2 images was experimented with to further identify lithological units. Shaded relief techniques were implemented to enhance terrain perspective views and to extract geological lineaments. The results discriminated different rock units and modified formation boundaries and revealed new geological lineaments. Nine rock units were identified and plotted in the new geological map defined by the new boundaries. The dominant lineaments tend to run in the NNW-SSE and NNE-SSW directions. Analysis and interpretation of the lineaments provided information about the tectonic evolution of the study area.     

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.     

Mapping Soil Resources in Part of Northern India Using Spaceborne Multispectral Data

Abstract

Spaceborne multispectral measurements have been found very useful tool in delineating soilscape boundaries. The Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS 1B) Linear Imaging Self‐scanning Sensor (LISS‐II) data in the form of false colour composite (FCC) prints at 1:50,000 scale covering part of a complex terrain ‐ hard rock intermixed with the alluvium, were interpreted visually for mapping soil resources. The physiography and lithology of the terrain have been found to have a direct bearing on the occurrence of soils. The image elements which are the reflection of surface drainage, land use/land cover, wetness, etc have been helpful in segregating the broad physiographic units into their components. These sub‐divisions were ultimately found to be associated with the characteristic soils. The methodology and results are discussed in detail.     

Land use study in Mewat area,Haryana, using remote sensing techniques

A soil and land use survey of Mewat area, Haryana, was carried out using the aerial photographs of 1:50,000. Four major physiographic units namely hills, piedmont plain, intermontante basin and Yamuna alluvial plain were recognised. The land use was studied in relation to the physiographic units. The legend adopted for land use classification has physiography at first level, utility at second level and management and identification at third and fourth levels respectively. Of the total area of 161,103 ha surveyed, 131,637 ha (81.72%) are cultivated. Of this 75,967 ha (47.16%) irrigated and 55,670 ha (34.56%) is unirrigated. Under uncultivated area, barren lands cover 14,224 ha (8.82%), forests occupy 3,463 ha (5.25%), settlements cover 3,300 (2.05%), water bodies occupy 1,312 ha (0.81%) and roads, railway lines, canals and drains constitute 2,167 ha (1.55%).     

Physiographic analysis for small scale soil and landuse mapping of Mewat area,Haryana, using LANDSAT imagery

Visual interpretation of LANDSAT imagery of 1∶250,000 scale (band 5 and 7) and 1∶1 M (FCC) covering 1611 km² in Mewat area, Haryana was carried out for delineating the physiographic units. The physiographic units viz. hills, piedmont plain, intermontane basin and Yamuna alluvial plain were identified and delineated using interpretation elements. Soils and land use in relation to the physiographic units were studied during the field visit and are described in the paper.     

提取地形特征线的形态学新方法

以图像处理技术为手段,从格网数字高程图中自动提取地形特征线方法的效率较高,但对噪声极为敏感,且结果中存在较多的冗余信息和特征线断裂的现象。针对这些问题,提出了一种以灰度形态学算子提取山脊、山谷线的新方法。该方法着眼于山脊、山谷特征,构造了两种灰度形态学算子,对DEM数据进行迭代处理,再辅以筛选、细化,最终融合抽取其中的特征线。仿真实验表明,该方法既能克服小尺度噪声的影响,又能有效地保持特征线,所提取的信息与实际地形十分接近。     

Spectral unmixing ofcompact airborne spectrographic imager (CASI) data for quantifying sub-pixel proportions of biophysical parameters in a coastal dune system

In environmentally sensitive and large coastal dune systems, identification and mapping of favourable (sandy), and unfavourable (scrub rich) habitats form the key to coastal conservation and management. In highly mixed floral environments, however, such an identification is difficult with low resolution multispectral imagery. In such cases, spectral unmixing is useful to resolve the “mixed pixel” effects. The Kenfig NNR (National Nature Reserve), South Wales. UK, bestowed with high biodiversity, is facing loss of successionally young slack habitats due to dune stabilisation and vegetation succession. To map such habitats, linear spectral unmixing of airborne MSS (CASI-Compact Airborne Spectrographic Imager) data was performed using the Constrained Least Square (CLS) method, and the sub-pixel proportions of the spectral end members viz. sand, vegetation and shade/moisture were defined. Comparison of the estimated fractions with the growth forms of the dominant vegetation species Salix repens (Creeping willow) with classified digital aerial photographs shows a positive correlation, thus giving us confidence in the mixture modelling technique. Apart from aiding in conservation management, such a fuzzy classification of multi-date imagery helps to delineate sandy and vegetated areas for change detection and landscape/ habitat succession studies.     

Soil erosion assessment and mapping of the algar river watershed (uttar pradesh) using remote sensing technique

This study was undertaken to prepare an inventory on soil erosion of a hilly river watershed — the Aglar watershed, part of Tehri Garhwal and Dehradun districts (U.P.), using terrain physiography and soil survey data obtained from interpretation and analysis of Landsat TM FCC (1:62,500 scale) and limited ground investigations. The watershed is divided into four broad physiographic units viz. higher Himalayas (> 2000m elevation); lower Himalayas (< 2000m elevation); river terraces and flood plains. Each physiographic unit has been further divided into subunits on the basis of aspects and landuse. Three major orders of soils viz. Inceptisols, Mollisols and Entisols were found in different physiographic units. Soil, and land properties of soilscape units viz. soil depth, texture, structure, slope, landuse and soil temperature regime were evaluated for soil-erosion hazard. The results indicate that in the whole watershed 19.13%, 45.68%, 26.51% and 7.92% areas have been found to be under none to slight, moderate, severe and very severe soil erosion hazard categories, respectively.     

一种基于等高线弯曲约束Delaunay三角网的地形特征提取新方法

地形特征包括地形特征点和特征线,它们是进行地貌分析与处理的重要手段,也是地貌结构化综合的重要内容。本文提出并实现了一种新的等高线特征提取方法。该方法通过对等高线进行凹凸段划分,获得等高线特征段（包括凹段和凸段,分别对应山谷和山脊）,并利用最大角作为约束条件、特征段的边作为约束边对所有特征段构建约束型Delaunay三角网（简称CDT）。然后,获取特征段CDT的骨架线作为局部特征段的地性线树,并将每棵地性线树的叶节点作为相应特征段上的特征点。最后,利用特征段及其CDT对特征点进行匹配,完成地性线的追踪,生成地性线。论文最后做了相关的实验,对该方法的有效性进行了验证。