STATE OF THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT MAPPING PROJECT

An international team of cartographers describes the initial concept and methodological principles underlying an IGU-sponsored project to compile a map of the state of the world's environments on the basis of a unified approach and guidelines. The project, which is to involve cartographers and Earth scientists throughout the world, is to provide a comprehensive characterization of the condition of marine and terrestrial ecosystems at a scale of 1:15,000,000 and is to be made available in both digital and paper formats. Translated by Edward Torrey, Alexandria, VA from: Izvestiya Akademii Nauk, seriya geograficheskaya, 1999, No. 1, pp. 108-113.     

TRANSFORMATION OF THE LINE LENGTHS OF CARTOGRAPHIC MODELS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FUNCTIONAL UNITS

A paper devoted to the transformation of cartographic images based on nontraditional systems of scaling (travel time, transport effort, cost, etc.) describes the results of work to develop a more effective algorithm for such transformations, i.e., one which the authors claim provides for the more accurate determination of “transformed” line lengths than possible with earlier methods. Translated from: Izvestiya AN SSSR, seriya geograficheskaya, 1987, No. 4, pp. 105-111.     

REPRODUCTION OF THE 1/1,250 AND 1/2,500 SCALE NATIONAL PLANS,OF GREAT BRITAIN

Abstract

Field work for the 1/1,250 scale re-survey of Great Britain was fully described in an article by Brigadier R. P.Wheeler in the April, 1948, issue of this Review (ix, 68, 234–247). The object of this article is to outline the method’ of reproduction of these plans and of the resultant 1/2,500 scale plans of urban areas. The 1/2,500 series covering rural areas is a separate problem, one of revision rather than re-survey. Experiments are in hand now to find out the best ways to provide field material and produce the final plans on National Grid sheet lines. The 1/1,250 scale series will contain about forty thousand plans and the 1/2,500 series of the same areas about nine thousand. It is therefore important that production methods should be straightforward and maintain an economical balance between the use of men and machines.     

USE OF SPACE PHOTOGRAPHS IN THE MAKING AND REVISION OF SMALL-SCALE MAPS

A brief review paper focuses on Soviet strategies for the use of space imagery, particularly photographic products (1:2,000,000 to 1:4,200,000 scale) from manned spaceflights, in the revision of small-scale general reference maps. Principles for the interpretation and mapping of basic map elements appearing on space photographs are outlined. Space photographs provide for reduction in time spent in map editing and the more correct analysis of the reliability of information and its generalization. A technology of map revision based on the joint use of original photographs and photomaps, with the transfer of revisions from photomaps to map originals, is proposed. Translated from: Geodeziya i kartografiya, 1986, No. 8, pp. 29-33.     

SEASONAL CHANGES IN THE SPECTRAL REFLECTANCE OF PASTURE GRASSES IN THE IDENTIFICATION OF AREAS OF VARIABLE DRAINAGE EFFICIENCY

Spectral reflectances of artificial pastures are examined at various wavelengths and stages in the grazing/field work cycle to identify inadequately drained, marginally productive sites. Mesophytic pasture grasses and crops on well-drained sites are replaced by more hygrophytic species on poorly drained sites (each group with distinctive brightness values). This relationship, plus less significant spectral differences reflecting grazing intensity and soil moisture content at particular points in time, provided a methodological basis for the study. Poorly drained pastures are most reliably identified in the infrared and visible green portions of the spectrum during the middle of the grazing season. Translated from: Geografiya I prirodnyye resursy, 1988, No. 1, pp. 134-139.     

THE MAPPING AND STUDY OF THE ISSYK-KUL' SHORELINE WITH AIR PHOTOS

Efforts to monitor and map the changing water level and shoreline of a large mountain lake in Central Asia with aerial photographs are described. The essence of the work involved the mapping of the shoreline and position of river deltas from air photos from various years during the period 1949-1980, at uniform scale and at a level of accuracy permitting the quantitative (cartometric) as well as qualitative assessment of change. The sequence of work in compilation of map-diagrams for different parts of the shoreline involved the preliminary referencing of photos to a map, photo interpretation and compilation of large-scale “graphic diagrams,” preparation of a cartographic base, reduction and placement of diagrams on the base, and transformation of the image as a whole. Results of analysis of these map-diagrams are summarized. Translated from: Vestnik Leningradskogo Universiteta, ser. 7: geologiya, geografiya, 1986, No. 2, pp. 44-48.     

AN EXPERIMENT IN MAPPING THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE STEPPE MARMOT USING AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS

A method for mapping the distribution of a common steppe mammal, the steppe marmot, is described, based on the interpretation of air photos of its life activities (i.e., burrows). Air photos at 1:30,000 scale are used in the compilation of a map of the density of marmot burrows, which permits close and more efficient investigation of the spatial correspondence of marmot habitats and natural conditions and facilitates the selection of routes and areas of sampling in advance of marmot population counts. Translated by Kurt E. Engelmann, Seattle, WA 98195 from: Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta, geografiya, 1989, No. 3, pp. 94–99.     

Problems of mapping a nature reserve: Aberlady Bay LNR and SSSI

Abstract

A new five-colour map of Aberlady Bay Local Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest at 1:7,500 scale is published as a loose insert with the June 1993 issue of The Cartographic Journal. This accompanying paper describes the problems of producing the map at minimal cost, considers some of the cartographic issues particular to the site, and provides specification details of the compilation.

Such individual map sheets, which are used for environmental planning, research and teaching, have in the past been produced mainly by universities with the support of conservancy and countryside agencies. Future production costs at universities will inevitably rise although some economies may be possible by the use of digital database methods of cartography.     

USEFUL EXPERIENCE IN THE CREATION OF COMPUTER ATLASES

The activities of the Pacific Institute of Geography, USSR Academy of Sciences in the creation of a series of standardized computer (line printer) atlases of sown areas and yields of basic agricultural crops at 1:8,000,000 scale are described. Contributions by Institute researchers in the development or refinement of greytone scales for alphanumeric areal symbols, computer mapping programs in general, and applications of line-printer maps in planning and nature management are also mentioned. Translated from: Izvestiya Akademiya Nauk SSSR, seriya geografi-cheskaya, No. 3, 1986, pp. 128-130.     

HIGH PRECISION LEVELLING OF MOTORWAYS. BY LOW LEVEL HELICOPTER SURVEY

Photogrammetrists are acutely aware that remote methods of survey are commonplace. However, it is only relatively recently that high precision levelling of the national motorway network has been conducted in this manner. There are now several competing methods available, all of which have gained some acceptance. This paper describes a low level aerial photographic method employing a helicopter as the platform. It begins with the reasons for the development, describes the system and methods involved, addresses the safety aspects, attempts to outline the necessity for the largest scale possible to maintain precision, analyses the potential developments and discusses the advantages and disadvantages compared with ground based systems.     

PROBABILITY ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLETENESS OF GEOGRAPHIC MAPS

The author outlines a method for quantitative analysis of the completeness of information presented on maps of varying scale, i.e., for determining, upon reductions in scale of an original map A, what magnitudes of loss in graphic detail will result in derivative maps B, C, D that are of equal relative completeness to the original. Empirical formulae are derived which describe intensities of selection typical of maps devoted to particular topics (stream networks, urban socioeconomic indices, etc.) and graphic methods are described which can be used to determine scale denominators at which specific reductions in the number of features can occur without losses in “completeness” or, conversely, the number of particular kinds of features that can be eliminated on maps (or portions of maps) upon reductions in scale without losses in completeness. Translated from: Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta, geografiya, 1985, No. 5, pp. 17–23.     

WORLD ATLAS OF THEMATIC MAPS OF DESERTIFICATION

The author describes the contents and participation of former Soviet republics in the compilation of a global atlas of desertification, published under the auspices of the United Nations. Translated by H. L. Haslett, Leamington Spa, UK, from: Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, seriya geograficheskaya, 1991, No. 6, p. 130.     

SUB-SATELLITE COLLECTION OF SUPPLEMENTAL REMOTE SENSING INFORMATION

This paper, the third in a series on the design, payloads, and operation of Soviet earth resource observation satellites [see MSRS, 1984, No. 4 and 1985, No. 1], describes the collection of supplemental sub-satellite information. More specifically, it outlines how the Soviets use satellite-synchronized aerial, ground, and water-borne sensors to gather auxiliary information used in the improvement of space imagery (data verification and correction, instrument calibration, etc.). A later section demonstrates procedures for selection and preparation of field test sites (for ground truth), and design of sub-satellite information measurement complexes. Translated from: Priroda Zemli iz kosmosa, A. P. Tishchenko and S. V. Viktorov, eds. Leningrad: Gidrometeoizdat, 1984, pp. 35-38.     

A MAP OF THE AVERAGED RELIEF OF THE RUSSIAN PLAIN

The authors outline a methodology for the small-scale hypsometric mapping of plains areas based on the averaging of relief—this for the purpose of portraying the most important details of local relief (small erosional landforms) without obscuring larger, major relief forms or compromising the readability of the map. An example map (25-m contour interval) of the Soviet portion of the East European Plain at a scale of 1:5,000,000 is included. The elevations portrayed on this map were averaged, according to a multi-stage procedure, from grid cells on a 1:2,500,000 map before transference onto the smaller-scale map base. The new map makes possible a revised estimate of the average elevation of the Russian Plain and depicts well the effects of both endogenous and exogenous factors on relief formation. Translated from: Geomorfologiya, 1987, No. 1, pp. 22-29.     

PROBLEMS OF THE COMPLEX AUTOMATED MAPPING OF THE MOSCOW REGION

The paper describes a program for the complex (comprehensive) automated mapping of Moscow Oblast, performed jointly by various departments within the Moscow University Geography Faculty. The program was instituted during the Eleventh Five-Year Plan (1981-1985) and includes among its objectives: (1) support for local economic management and planning; (2) promotion of basic research in automated cartographic and geographic information systems; and (3) the improvement of methods of complex mapping. A number of maps compiled to date are described, and sample maps produced by the Moscow University Automated Mapping System are presented. Translated from: Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta, geografiya, 1988, No. 1, pp. 54-59 by Jay K. Mitchell; PlanEcon, Inc.; Washington, DC 20005.     

AN ANALYTICAL-PHOTOGRAMMETRIC SYSTEM FOR THE QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF VOLCANIC FEATURES

A photogrammetric method is described for analyzing the geometric and dynamic parameters of volcanic eruptions, which makes it possible to estimate the scale of developing eruptions and promotes a more complete understanding of their mechanics. Digital models are constructed for different periods of volcanic activity on the basis of near-vertical and oblique aerial photographs. The method is illustrated with observations from several volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula, taken since 1977 with a frequency of 12–15 times per year. Translated by Edward Torrey, Alexandria, VA 22308 from: Geodeziya i kartografiya, 1989, No. 1, pp. 22–29.     

MACHINE METHOD OF INTERSECTION

Abstract

The following method will be found better and quicker than the usual logarithmic process in computing the co-ordinates of intersected points in minor triangulation and traverse work. Let A and B be two stations whose co-ordinates (x ₁ y ₁), (x ₂ y ₂) are known. Let P be an intersected point whose co-ordinates (x, y) we wish to determine. Let α and β be the observed angles at A and B respectively.     

THE CENTROGRAPHIC METHOD OF STUDYING SPATIAL STRUCTURE

The authors focus on modern applications of the centrographic method of geographic research and mapping—both in terms of how centrography may aid in the cartographic representation of certain distributions and in terms of how cartographic devices (e.g., centrograms) may be used in the more effective identification of centers. A brief history of the method's development in Russia and the USSR is followed by examples of the use of centrograms in simultaneously comparing shifts (a) of distinct but related phenomena and (b) of the same phenomenon but at different scale levels. A variety of centrograms are presented and analyzed. Translated by Jay K. Mitchell, PlanEcon, Inc., Washington, DC 20005 from: Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, seriya geograficheskaya, 1990, No. 2, pp. 92–105.     

THE HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY OF LANDSCAPES IN WESTERN IRAQ FROM SPACE IMAGERY

Space photography at 1:2,400,000 scale from the “Salyut-6” space station was used to compile maps on the evolution of arid landscapes in the Late Pleistocene and Holocene in western Iraq. The imagery made it possible to trace the development of many ancient natural features and to formulate an interpretation key of landscape elements—formed under a variety of past climatic environments, but subsequently evolving under common, somewhat similar natural conditions. This provides a basis for improved understanding the present state, history of formation, and future transformations of arid landscapes. Translated by Edward Torrey, Alexandria, VA 22308 from: Izvestiya Vsesoyuznogo Geograficheskogo Obshchestva, 1990, No. 3, pp. 255–260.     

DEVELOPMENT OF A GIS FOR TOPONYMS IN DNEPROPETROVSK OBLAST,UKRAINE

The author describes problems encountered in the design and operationalization of a GIS of place names in Dnepropetrovsk Oblast of Ukraine. Particular attention is devoted to methods of data acquisition (including information on changes in external borders and internal administrative rayons), principles for assigning names, and the types of derivative cartographic products that can be generated. Translated by Edward Torrey, Alexandria, VA from: Geografiya i prirodnyye resursy, 1998, No. 1, pp. 136-140.