An Analysis of Severe Hail Swaths in the Southern Plains of the United States

Severe hail is a common event in the United States and few studies have been conducted using high‐resolution data to determine the spatial and temporal variability of hail occurrence. Given the coverage of Weather Surveillance Radar‐88 Doppler radars (WSR‐88D; Crum and Alberty 1993 ) over the Southern Plains of the United States, recent technological advancements including hail detection algorithms and powerful new geographic information systems (GIS) tools, a new methodology was developed to quantify the occurrence of severe hail. The methodology was tested using a dataset spanning 2001–2003 from 15 radar sites across eight states. The Hailswath algorithm developed at Weather Decision Technologies, Inc. was used to estimate severe and significant hail for each individual storm during the study period. Due to the discrete nature of the Hailswath algorithm output, it was manually contoured to create a coherent swath of the most likely area of severe (19 mm in diameter; 0.75 inches) and significant hail (51 mm in diameter; 2 inches). Finally, the results of these analyses were compiled monthly, annually, and for the total duration of the study period using a variety of GIS tools. A thorough demonstration of the data analysis process and results is presented, and the benefits and limitations of the method used to investigate the occurrence of severe hail are explained.     

Evaluation of global land cover maps for cropland area estimation in the conterminous United States

Global land cover data could provide continuously updated cropland acreage and distribution information, which is essential to a wide range of applications over large geographical regions. Cropland area estimates were evaluated in the conterminous USA from four recent global land cover products: MODIS land cover (MODISLC) at 500-m resolution in 2010, GlobCover at 300-m resolution in 2009, FROM-GLC and FROM-GLC-agg at 30-m resolution based on Landsat imagery circa 2010 against the US Department of Agriculture survey data. Ratio estimators derived from the 30-m resolution Cropland Data Layer were applied to MODIS and GlobCover land cover products, which greatly improved the estimation accuracy of MODISLC by enhancing the correlation and decreasing mean deviation (MDev) and RMSE, but were less effective on GlobCover product. We found that, in the USA, the CDL adjusted MODISLC was more suitable for applications that concern about the aggregated county cropland acreage, while FROM-GLC-agg gave the least deviation from the survey at the state level. Correlation between land cover map estimates and survey estimates is significant, but stronger at the state level than at the county level. In regions where most mismatches happen at the county level, MODIS tends to underestimate, whereas MERIS and Landsat images incline to overestimate. Those uncertainties should be taken into consideration in relevant applications. Excluding interannual and seasonal effects, R² of the FROM-GLC regression model increased from 0.1 to 0.4, and the slope is much closer to one. Our analysis shows that images acquired in growing season are most suitable for Landsat-based cropland mapping in the conterminous USA.     

Simulated responses of soil organic carbon stock to tillage management scenarios in the Northwest Great Plains

Background  

Tillage practices greatly affect carbon (C) stocks in agricultural soils. Quantification of the impacts of tillage on C stocks at a regional scale has been challenging because of the spatial heterogeneity of soil, climate, and management conditions. We evaluated the effects of tillage management on the dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) in croplands of the Northwest Great Plains ecoregion of the United States using the General Ensemble biogeochemical Modeling System (GEMS). Tillage management scenarios included actual tillage management (ATM), conventional tillage (CT), and no-till (NT).     

Brief History of Spatial Information Policies in the United States

Slope exerts a powerful influence on the route selection processes of humans. Attempts to model human movement in hilly and mountainous terrain which have largely focused on least-time route transformations can be improved by incorporating research suggesting that humans systematically overestimate slopes. Such research suggests that cost functions derived from slope should be more expensive than time derivations alone would indicate. This paper presents a method for empirically estimating cost functions for slopes. We use the method to predict routes and paths that are more likely to be selected by humans based on their perceptions of slope. An evaluation of the method found that it successfully predicts road, track and trail locations over a variety of conditions and distances.     

区域连续性强降水过程中GPS/PWV的特征分析

针对2015年5月9~11日香港地区的一次连续性强降水,利用GAMIT软件反演了降水过程中各站逐时GPS/PWV资料,详细分析了GPS/PWV的变化特征。结果表明:单CORS站GPS/PWV大小与其局域实际降水量大小无直接的关系;3 h GPS/PWV等值线变化图可以从整体上很好地反映实际降水过程中GPS/PWV的演变过程;区域GPS/PWV分布因其特殊的地理环境而呈现一定的规律性;GPS/PWV在达到峰值以后的下降过程中,当RH值激增至高值稳定区时发生强降水的可能性非常大。     

Applications of generalized additive model (GAM) to satellite-derived variables and fishery data for prediction of fishery resources distributions in the Arabian Sea

This study aims to illustrate how remotely sensed oceanic variables and fishing operations data can be used to predict suitable habitat of fishery resources in Geographic Information System. We used sea surface height anomaly (SSHa), sea surface temperature (SST), chlorophyll concentration (CC), photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and fishing depth as predictor variables. Fishery data of Indian squid (Loligo spp.) and catfish (Tachysurus spp.) for study period (1998–2004) were segregated randomly to create training and validation. Catch was normalized into Catch per unit Effort (kg h^?1). Generalized additive modelling was performed on training data and then tested on validation data. Suitable ranges of SST, CC, SSHa and PAR for different species distributions were derived and integrated to predict their spatial distributions. Results indicated good match between predicted and actual catch. Monthly probability maps of predicted habitat areas coincide with high catch of the particular month for the study period.     

美国商业遥感卫星的发展

高分辨率光学遥感卫星是对地观测的重要组成部分,是获取基础地理空间信息的主要技术手段。从1999至今,美国连续发射了IKONOS、QuickBird、WorldView系列多颗高分辨率商业卫星,一直引领着高分辨率光学卫星遥感发展潮流。通过对美国第一、二、三代的多颗典型遥感卫星的设计理念和技术指标进行深入剖析,总结美国商业遥感卫星的特点和发展趋势,对我国的卫星事业发展具有一定借鉴意义。     

美国三维坐标基准现代化新进展

随着空间大地测量技术的发展和对高精度参考系统的迫切需求,美国国家大地测量局(NGS)计划对美国国家空间参考系(NSRS)进行现代化.本文主要介绍了提出并采用板块固定参考框架的理由,并根据NGS的NSRS现代化蓝图阐述了三维坐标基准现代化的基本策略及特点.新的三维坐标基准相比现有的NAD83,主要改进为:①采用了板块固...     

中国南极长城站绝对重力基准的建立

2004~2005年南极夏季期间,我国第21次南极科学考察队利用FG5绝对重力仪在长城站两个站点(C001和C002)进行了绝对重力测量,精度在±3×10-8ms-2以内,并同时进行了重力垂直梯度测量和水平梯度测量;利用2台LCR相对重力仪在韩国站、智利机场(2点)和菲尔德斯半岛地区的山海关、盘龙山、香蕉山、半边山等7个站点进行了高精度相对重力测量,精度达±10×10-8ms-2,并进行了相对重力仪比例因子的标定,建立了我国南极长城站地区绝对重力基准。     

Revisiting Web Cartography in the United States: the Rise of User-Centered Design

This paper reviews the recent development of web cartography based on Plewe's 2007 short paper in the U.S. National Report to the ICA, titled Web Cartography in the United States. By identifying major changes and recent research trends in web cartography, this paper provides an overview about what the web means to cartography, and suggests two major research directions for web cartography in the future: 1) the rise of user-centered design, including design of user interfaces, dynamic map content and mapping functions; 2) the release of the power of map-making to the public and amateur cartographers. I also present web cartography concepts in this paper to challenge the traditional research agenda in cartography.     

Cartographic Support for the 2010 Decennial Census of the United States

As this article is published, the U.S. Census Bureau is completing work for the twenty third decennial census of the United States. Once again, the MAF/TIGER system served as the geospatial infrastructure supporting numerous census operations and data collection, tabulation, and dissemination activities. From data collection to data dissemination we trace the recent activities of the 2010 Decennial Census of the United States to illustrate the role maps and geospatial data play in an increasing variety of public and private sector activities across the nation. To ensure a successful 2010 Census, millions of maps had to be created. This article will give an overview of the automated mapping system designed to create these maps. This includes a discussion about associated software needed and the variety of map types that were developed. Finally, future map production and geospatial activities at the Census Bureau will be discussed.     

2021年夏季中国大陆涝渍灾害时空分布分析

涝渍害是中国除干旱以外对农作物影响最严重的气象灾害,涝渍害的发生和发展对人民的生命和财产安全以及农作物的生长发育产生巨大的影响。2021年7月至8月间,中国北方多地降水达到历史观测极值,而相应时期地面的涝渍害发生和发展状况及其时空特征并未得到有效研究。因此,本研究首先利用中国大陆土壤水分站点日数据和被动微波遥感卫星SMAP反演土壤水分日产品获取中国高精度表层土壤湿度数据（0—10 cm）;随后,结合田间持水量数据计算土壤表层相对含水量。在此基础上,以连续10 d土壤相对含水量大于等于90%为标准,分析中国大陆2021年7月1日—8月25日的涝渍害时空分布情况。结果表明：（1）融合后的土壤水分产品较原始的SMAP微波土壤水分产品精度具有明显的提高;（2）中国东北地区水稻田种植区的土壤相对含水量大于等于90%的最长持续天数均为56 d,土壤的水分长期处于饱和状态,说明了本文方法能够较为准确的反应出土壤涝渍害的情况;（3）中国东北及华北地区受灾较为严重,其中黑龙江的西部和河北、河南、山东发生的涝渍面积最大。中国大陆耕地部分受涝渍灾害区域占到总耕地面积的1/2左右,重灾区面积为1.940×10⁵ km²;（4）黑龙江的西部及河北、河南、山东等地较往年降水偏多,这与涝渍害受灾区基本吻合。     

应用卫星与气象数据及其关系研究黄河流域的荒漠化现状

本文应用20年（1981—2000年）的卫星数据反演归一化差值植被指数（NDVI）,同时获取地面格网的温度与降雨数据,并分析这些数据之间的关系。基于地面的温度和降雨格网数据将研究区划分为8个气候区域,再利用NDVI数据把降雨量最少的3个气候区——区1,2,3各划分为10个等级。此外,分析这3个气候区在1983—1998年15年间的NDVI变化状况,结果显示出研究区荒漠化状况的加剧。     

A sub-pixel analysis of urbanization effect on land surface temperature and its interplay with impervious surface and vegetation coverage in Indianapolis,United States

This study developed an analytical procedure based upon a spectral unmixing model for characterizing and quantifying urban landscape changes in Indianapolis, Indiana, the United States, and for examining the environmental impact of such changes on land surface temperatures (LST). Three dates of Landsat TM/ETM+ images, acquired in 1991, 1995, and 2000, respectively, were utilized to document the historical morphological changes in impervious surface and vegetation coverage and to analyze the relationship between these changes and those occurred in LST. Three fraction endmembers, i.e., impervious surface, green vegetation, and shade, were derived with an unconstrained least-squares solution. A hybrid classification procedure, which combined maximum-likelihood and decision-tree algorithms, was developed to classify the fraction images into land use and land cover classes. Correlation analyses were conducted to investigate the changing relationships of LST with impervious surface and vegetation coverage. Results indicate that multi-temporal fraction images were effective for quantifying the dynamics of urban morphology and for deriving a reliable measurement of environmental variables such as vegetation abundance and impervious surface coverage. Urbanization created an evolved inverse relationship between impervious and vegetation coverage, and brought about new LST patterns because of LST's correlations with both impervious and vegetation coverage. Further researches should be directed to refine spectral mixture modeling by stratification, and by the use of multiple endmembers and hyperspectral imagery.     

COVID-19疫情初期美国城市夜间灯光时空变化分析

为应对COVID-19疫情而采取的非药物干预措施显著改变了城市社会经济活动,但其变化特征和时空模式仍不明确。本研究以美国20个大城市为例,获取NPP-VIIRS月度合成数据分析2020年2—4月COVID-19疫情初期城市夜光亮度变化的空间格局、衰减特征和用地类型差异。结果表明,疫情防控措施导致美国城市夜光亮度普遍变暗,平均降低5%—8%。夜光变化呈现明显“中心—边缘”空间结构特征,夜光降低幅度随到城市中心距离增加而减小。不同用地类型夜光变化幅度存在差异,纽约居住用地和航空设施用地夜光亮度降低幅度最明显,分别下降12%和11%。芝加哥各类用地夜光亮度普遍下降20%左右,除体育设施用地外,其他各类用地夜光亮度一个月后有所恢复。夜光遥感有效反映了城市社会经济活动变化,在监测评估突发事件社会影响方面具有重要应用。     

Validating the use of object-based image analysis to map commonly recognized landform features in the United States

ABSTRACT

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Geospatial Program (NGP) seeks to i) create semantically accessible terrain features from the pixel-based 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) data, and ii) enhance the usability of the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) by associating boundaries with GNIS features whose spatial representation is currently limited to 2D point locations. Geographic object-based image analysis (GEOBIA) was determined to be a promising method to approach both goals. An existing GEOBIA workflow was modified and the resulting segmented objects and terrain categories tested for a strategically chosen physiographic province in the mid-western US, the Ozark Plateaus. The chi-squared test of independence confirmed that there is significant overall spatial association between terrain categories of the GEOBIA and GNIS feature classes. Contingency table analysis also suggests strong category-specific associations between select GNIS and GEOBIA classes. However, 3D visual analysis revealed that GEOBIA objects resembled segmented regions more than they did individual landform objects, with their boundaries often failing to correspond to match what people would likely perceive as landforms. Still, objects derived through GEOBIA can provide initial baseline landscape divisions that can improve the efficiency of more specialized feature extraction methods.     

美国高校地理信息系统专业课程教学研究

对美国南伊利诺伊大学地理信息专业中的遥感概论课程的教学、辅导和考核方式等各个方面进行了分析,并与国内高校该专业的课程设置以及教学方法等进行了对比,以期国内高校GIS专业的课程教学从中得到启发和借鉴。     

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.     

Shape indexes for semi-automated detection of windbreaks in thematic tree cover maps from the central United States

Windbreaks are an important ecological resource across the large expanse of agricultural land in the central United States and are often planted in straight-line or L-shaped configurations to serve specific functions. As high-resolution (i.e., <5 m) land cover datasets become more available for these areas, semi- or fully-automated methods for distinguishing windbreaks from other patches of trees are needed for use with thematic raster datasets. To address this need, we created three shape indexes: a morphology-based index that we have named the Straight and Narrow Feature Index (SNFI), a windbreak sinuosity index, and an area index indicating the occupied fractional area of a bounding box. The indexes were tested in two study areas: (1) a riparian area dominated by sinuous bands of trees but mixed with row crop agriculture and (2) an agricultural area with a mix of straight-line and L-shaped windbreaks. In the riparian area, a Kruskall–Wallis rank sum test indicated class differences for all three indexes, and pairwise comparisons indicate windbreaks and riparian trees are separable using any of the three indexes. SNFI also produced significant differences between windbreaks oriented in different directions (east–west vs. north–south). In the agricultural area, the Kruskall–Wallis rank sum test indicated differences between classes for all three indexes, and pairwise comparisons show that all class pairs have significant differences for at least one index, with the exception of L-shaped windbreaks vs. non-windbreak tree patches. We also used classification trees to objectively assign representative samples of tree patches to classes using both single indexes and multiple indexes. Classes were correctly assigned for more than 90% of the samples in both the riparian and agricultural study areas. In the riparian area, combining indexes did not improve accuracy compared to using SNFI alone, whereas in the agricultural area, combining the three indexes produced the best result. Thematic datasets derived from high-resolution imagery are becoming more available, and extracting useful information can be a challenge, partly due to the large amount of data to assess. Calculating the three shape indexes presented can assist with efficient identification of candidate windbreaks and as such, hold good promise for value-added analysis of tree function in the central United States.     

气象因素对南京明城墙本体臌胀的影响分析

构筑物变形会对构筑物的安全造成严重的影响,会造成构筑物不均匀沉降、开裂及墙体剥落等危害。臌胀是造成构筑物开裂及墙体剥落的重要因素,对构筑物的危害是不可忽视的,但相对于其他墙体变形,其可控性更大。本文以南京明城墙为研究对象,基于实时监测数据及气象数据研究城墙本体臌胀变化规律及气象因素的影响,结果表明:气象因素对南京明城墙本体的臌胀具有一定的影响,其中降雨量和气温对明城墙本体臌胀具有明显的影响,而湿度对明城墙本体的臌胀影响不明显。研究气象因素对明城墙本体臌胀的影响,对于明城墙的管理与保护具有一定的参考价值。