INTERPRETATION OF ECOLOGICAL-SOIL CHARACTERISTICS OF WOODED STEPPE ZONE IN THE CENTRAL RUSSIAN UPLAND

The authors describe how remote sensing imagery can be employed in the identification of different types of chernozem soils in a predominantly agricultural zone (forest steppe), where natural vegetation (normally one of the best vegetation indicators) has been largely displaced by farm fields. A multi-stage methodology is outlined whereby small-scale imagery is used to delineate large regions of similar bioclimatic-geologic characteristics, from which areas of similar soil formation conditions are distinguished. Multispectral and multitemporal space imagery then is employed to detect less salient ecological-soil differences that can affect phototone and image texture. Translated by Edward Torrey, Alexandria, VA 22308 from: G. V. Dobrovol'skiy and V. L. Andronikov, eds., Aerokosmicheskiye metody v pochvovedenii i ikh ispol'zovaniye v sel'skom khozyaystve: sbornik nauchnykh trudov [Remote Sensing Methods in Soil Science and Their Utilization in Agriculture: A Collection of Scientific Works]. Moscow: Nauka, 1990, pp 103–109.     

USE OF REMOTE SENSING IMAGERY IN MULTIPURPOSE MAPPING

This paper focuses on remote sensing's role in support of diverse mapping tasks, including those of interest to soil scientists (land use, soil, and botanical mapping). It analyzes new opportunities and challenges provided by remote sensing imagery with respect to map compilation and revision: the interdisciplinary yet goal-oriented character of map themes, the large stock of data to be processed systematically for coherent information yield, the numerous linkages of map elements to be represented on a series of closely interrelated maps, and the need for standardization and a unified approach to map design and symbolization. Translated by Edward Torrey, Alexandria, VA 22308 from: G. V. Dobrovol'skiy and V. L. Andronikov, eds., Aerokosmicheskiye metody v pochvo-vedenii i ikh ispol'zovaniye v sel'skom khozyaystve: sbornik nauchnykh trudov [Remote Sensing Methods in Soil Science and Their Utilization in Agriculture: A Collection of Scientific Works]. Moscow: Nauka, 1990, pp. 16-21.     

DIGITAL PROCESSING OF REMOTE SENSING IMAGERY IN SOIL MAPPING

The authors describe strategies for the utilization of digital image processing in the compilation of soil maps at scales of 1:1,000,000 and 1:25,000 for the trans-Volga region of Russia. Particular attention is devoted to an exploration of the effects of variations in soil humus content, texture, and degree of erosion upon spectral brightness coefficients. Results of the mapping demonstrate the promise of digital image processing in the differentiation of a number of chernozem soil subtypes. Translated by Edward Torrey, Alexandria, VA 22308 from: Aerokosmicheskiye metody v pochvovedenii i ikh ispol'zovaniye v sel'skom khozyaystve: sbornik nauchnykh trudov [Remote Sensing Methods in Soil Science and Their Utilization in Agriculture: A Collection of Scientific Works]. Moscow: Nauka, 1990, pp. 214–225.     

Land use/land cover identification in an alpine and arid region (Nubra Valley, Ladakh) using satellite remote sensing

The remote sensing technology has been widely used for mapping the vegetation types in the tropical landscapes. However, in the temperate and alpine arid regions of India very few studies have been conducted using this technique. In the mountainous temperate arid conditions the vegetation is largely confined to marsh meadows, streams courses, river valleys and moist pockets close to snowfields. The ground truth collection in these zones are physically challenging due to tough terrain and restricted mobility. The detailed mapping of vegetation and other land use classes in these areas is therefore, extremely difficult. This paper describes the use of IRS-ID LISS III sensor for deciphering land cover details Nubra Valley, northern portion of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Council, Jammu & Kashmir (India). This analysis essentially emphasizes in bringing out various vegetation classes (speciallyHippophae rhamnoides and other medicinal plant communities) along the narrow river valleys.     

THE MAPPING OF FLOODPLAIN VEGETATION ON A LANDSCAPE BASIS

A “genetic” principle for the identification of morphological units on a floodplain landscape is applied to the mapping of vegetation and, more specifically, to a study of the spatial distribution of forest vegetation within the Ob' River floodplain. Aspects of the problem which are discussed include the identification and ranking of floodplain units and their components and appropriate scales for image interpretation and mapping. The principles and procedures outlined are applicable to the mapping of other floodplains. Translated by Edward Torrey, Alexandria, VA 22308 from: Geografiya i prirodnyye resursy, 1989, No. 2, pp. 78–84.     

REMOTE SENSING METHODS IN THE STUDY OF SOILS IN BELARUS'

Applications of remote sensing in the study of soils of Belarus' are investigated. The focus is upon ascertaining relationships between phototone of cultivated soils and various soil characteristics (humus content, texture, etc.); upon ensuring the best times for imaging; on the revision of existing soil maps from remote sensing imagery; and on determinations of humus content from spectral reflectance values. Translated by Edward Torrey, Alexandria, VA 22308 from: G. V. Dobrovol'skiy and V. L. Andronikov, eds., Aerokosmicheskiye metody v pochvovedenii i ikh ispol'zovaniye v sel'skom khozyaystve: sbornik nauchnykh trudov [Remote Sensing Methods in Soil Science and Their Utilization in Agriculture: A Collection of Scientific Works]. Moscow: Nauka, 1990, pp. 109–116.     

REMOTE SENSING IN THE MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF CHANNELS AND FLOODPLAINS

The first of two papers devoted to the analysis and mapping of river channels and floodplains describes Soviet work in the photogrammetric and cartometric analysis of floodplain morphology based on remote sensing imagery. The emphasis of the present paper is on the creation of digital terrain models for the automated measurement and mapping of floodplain features. Considerable attention is focused upon analysis of indicators of channel and floodplain dynamics (channel deposition, bankside erosion, meanders) appearing on aerial photographs. The results of channel analyses based on aerial photographic and field methods (determinations of channel width, depth, etc.) are compared for a test site. Translated from: Geomorfologiya, 1986, No. 4, pp. 51-57.     

REMOTE SENSING AND THE STUDY OF SIBERIAN MINERAL RESOURCES

The authors outline the general policy governing the use of remote sensing in Siberian mineral exploration—as a tool in the structural-geomorphologic mapping of potential mineral-bearing locations. Such maps are used to infer geologic structure (and endogenous conditions for mineral formation) and the character of contemporary exogenous processes (and conditions of transport and concentration of mineral residues) from geoindicators in surface terrain visible from space. Uses of space imagery in the study of seismic activity and engineering geomorphology are also described. Translated from: Kompleksnyye aerokosmicheskiye Issledovaniya Sibiri, A. L. Yanshin and L. K. Zyat'kova, eds. Novosibirsk: Nauka, 1984, pp. 5-14.     

MICROPHOTOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF SOIL MOISTURE CONTENT FROM REMOTE SENSING IMAGERY

A method is outlined for the determination of soil moisture content from remote sensing imagery, with consideration of its rapid fluctuation based on meteorological events and other factors (e.g., humus content and character of vegetation). The present paper is devoted to soil moisture detection in the visible, reflected-infrared, and thermal-infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum in irrigated portions of the Kura-Araks lowland in Soviet Transcaucasia, based on optical density measurements from image negatives, for the most part. Translated by Edward Torrey, Alexandria, VA 22308 from: G. V. Dobrovol'skiy and V. L. Andronikov, eds., Aerokosmicheskiye metody v pochvo-vedenii i ikh ispol'zovaniye v sel'skom khozyaystve: sbornik nauchnykh trudov [Remote Sensing Methods in Soil Science and Their Utilization in Agriculture: A Collection of Scientific Works]. Moscow: Nauka, 1990, pp. 183–189.     

SOIL-GEOBOTANICAL REGIONALIZATION FROM REMOTE SENSING IMAGERY

A multiscalar approach to mapping soil-vegetation regions from remote sensing imagery is outlined, using the West Siberian Lowland as a study area. At an initial stage small-scale space imagery is used to identify extensive soil-vegetation regions which extend across nearly the entire Lowland. Subsequent analysis focuses on identification and mapping of increasingly smaller units. The dominant criteria used for image interpretation and regionalization vary at each particular level of analysis, changing from vegetation structure and density at the smallest scales to soil “hydromorphism” (waterlogging) and topographic affiliations for intermediate- and large-scale units. Hydromorphic indicators are stressed as most important overall. Translated from: Distantsionnyye issledovaniya rel'yefa Sibiri, A. L. Yanshin and V. N. Sharapov, eds. Novosibirsk: Nauka, 1985, pp. 51-58.     

A shadow- eliminated vegetation index (SEVI) for removal of self and cast shadow effects on vegetation in rugged terrains

ABSTRACT

The effect of terrain shadow, including the self and cast shadows, is one of the main obstacles for accurate retrieval of vegetation parameters by remote sensing in rugged terrains. A shadow- eliminated vegetation index (SEVI) was developed, which was computed from only red and near-infrared top-of-atmosphere reflectance without other heterogeneous data and topographic correction. After introduction of the conceptual model and feature analysis of conventional wavebands, the SEVI was constructed by ratio vegetation index (RVI), shadow vegetation index (SVI) and adjustment factor (f (Δ)). Then three methods were used to validate the SEVI accuracy in elimination of terrain shadow effects, including relative error analysis, correlation analysis between the cosine of solar incidence angle (cosi) and vegetation indices, and comparison analysis between SEVI and conventional vegetation indices with topographic correction. The validation results based on 532 samples showed that the SEVI relative errors for self and cast shadows were 4.32% and 1.51% respectively. The coefficient of determination between cosi and SEVI was only 0.032 and the coefficient of variation (std/mean) for SEVI was 12.59%. The results indicate that the proposed SEVI effectively eliminated the effect of terrain shadows and achieved similar or better results than conventional vegetation indices with topographic correction.     

SOIL-GEOCHEMICAL MAPPING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PURPOSES

The authors outline a procedure for the mapping of soil geochemical anomalies surrounding a gas condensate deposit in upland East Siberia. An end product is a map showing areas in which matter is biologically cycled in different ways and at different intensities, as reflected in the dominance of different combinations of chemical elements in the soil. The paper explores the relationship between these geochemical regions and (a) related natural regions (vegetation, geomorphologic-geologic) and (b) types of human impact (e.g., fires, oil-gas drilling, pipeline construction). The methods employed are compared with previous methodologies of geochemical mapping—e.g., of Perel'man. Translated by Edward Torrey, Alexandria, VA 22308 from: Geografiya i prirodnyye resursy, 1997, No. 1, pp. 23-33     

MAPPING THE SOILS OF THE MAJOR NATURAL ZONES OF THE USSR FROM REMOTE SENSING IMAGERY

The authors describe the results of their experience in the use of remote sensing imagery to map the distribution of soils within the major natural zones (e.g., wooded steppe, taiga, semidesert) of the USSR. Considerable attention is devoted to instrumental-visual methods of interpretation before the focus shifts to automated interpretation and methods of map compilation, particularly general mapping at intermediate and large scales. One section assesses the relative sizes of mesorelief forms and fields in various natural zones in an effort to determine at what image scales the soil types indicated by these features will be identifiable. Translated by Edward Torrey, Alexandria, VA 22308 from: G. V. Dobrovol'skiy and V. L. Andronikov, eds., Aerokosmicheskiye metody v pochvovedenii i ikh ispol'zovaniye v sel'skom khozyaystve: sbornik nauchnykh trudov [Remote Sensing Methods in Soil Science and Their Utilization in Agriculture: A Collection of Scientific Works]. Moscow: Nauka, 1990, pp. 22-34.     

AN ANALYTICAL METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING STRUCTURE LINES IN TOPOGRAPHY

Methods for the quantitative analysis of topographic data in the identification of structure lines are presented. Use of the techniques in the relief mapping of a study plot, and comparison of the results with those obtained through visual methods of photo analysis, showed that the new approach identified all structure lines readily visible on aerial photographs in addition to several that were not. The methods are most promising for situations in which the process of data collection does not favor the visual positioning of structure lines. Translated from: Geodeziya, kartografiya, i aerofotos'yemka, No. 39, 1984, pp. 135-140.     

MAPS OF COMBUSTIBLE FOREST MATERIALS

An article devoted to applied forest-fire mapping outlines principles for the compilation of maps depicting “raw materials” for such fires. Various types and densities of vegetation cover are classified in terms of combustibility, i.e., according to the intensity of burning expected once they are fully exposed to flames. These maps are used in conjunction with weather data and forecasts to predict and combat the spread of fire across an area. Particular attention is devoted to identification and mapping of “basic conductors” of combustion–layers of forest litter and mossypeaty vegetation along which a forest fire normally spreads. Translated from: Geografiya i prirodnyye resursy, 1987, No. 3, pp. 138-144.     

THE USE OF REFLECTANCE OF OIL-POLLUTED SOILS IN MONITORING FROM REMOTE SENSING IMAGERY

A method is presented whereby soil reflectance on remote sensing imagery is used to estimate the level of soil pollution by oil production operations. This method can be used in lieu of the dangerous and toxic solvents now widely employed, and has the additional advantage of applicability to much larger areas. It is based on the construction of a graph and derivative equations depicting the relationship between the spectral reflectances of soils and the soil hydrocarbon content of sample soil plots. Translated by Edward Torrey, Alexandria, VA 22308 from: G. V. Dobrovol'skiyand V. L. Andronikov, eds., Aerokosmicheskiye metody v pochvovedenii i ikh ispol'zovaniye v sel'skom kho-zyaystve: sbornik nauchnykh trudov [Remote Sensing Methods in Soil Science and Their Utilization in Agriculture: A Collection of Scientific Works]. Moscow: Nauka, 1990, pp. 161–165.     

THE MULTIPLICITY PRINCIPLE IN MODERN REMOTE SENSING METHODS AND ITS APPLICATION TO AGRICULTURAL IMAGE INTERPRETATION

The authors elaborate upon the “multiplicity principle” in remote sensing, i.e., the need for repeated imaging at a variety of scales, spatial resolutions, spectral bands, and times of imaging in order to attain the maximum information possible. They then explore the ways it can be applied in agricultural research, through two different image comparison and interpretation strategies. A detailed example is presented of the use of a multitemporal imaging strategy for the recognition of several agricultural crops from false color composite imagery. Translated by Edward Torrey, Alexandria, VA 22308 from: G. V. Dobrovol'skiy and V. L. Andronikov, eds., Aerokosmicheskiye metody v pochvo-vedenii i ikh ispol'zovaniye v sel'skom khozyaystve: sbornik nauchnykh trudov [Remote Sensing Methods in Soil Science and Their Utilization in Agriculture: A Collection of Scientific Works]. Moscow: Nauka, 1990, pp. 47-55.     

THE INTERRELATIONSHIP AND DYNAMICS OF VEGETATION COVER AND WATER IN THE NORTH CASPIAN REGION

The effectiveness of utilizing the remote sensing signatures of various vegetation associations along the Volga delta region as indicators of specific water availability/flooding conditions is explored. Considerable attention first is devoted to elucidating relationships between higher aquatic vegetation and hydraulic regimes on the basis of field and laboratory studies, before the focus shifts to how remote sensing imagery can provide insights into these relationships. An output of the process was a series of maps depicting environmental change and suggesting sites where reclamation and public health measures were necessary. Translated from: L. N. Vasil'yev, ed., Kosmicheskiye metody izucheniya biosfery [Remote Sensing Methods in the Study of the Biosphere]. Moscow: Nauka, 1990, pp. 88–93.