PRINCIPLES OF THE COMPARISON AND INTERPRETATION OF MULTITEMPORAL IMAGERY

General principles are outlined for the use of a series of remote sensing images (obtained for the same area of the earth's surface for different points in time) in the detection of significant changes in land use and environmental conditions. Emphasis is placed on visual methods of interpretation, and a number of different methods for graphically analyzing the dynamics of earth surface features on photographic image products are described. A final section describes procedures for cartographically representing the dynamics of features interpreted from multitemporal images. Translated by Jay Mitchell; PlanEcon, Inc.; Washington, DC 20005 from: Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta, geografiya, 1987, No. 6, pp. 57-60.     

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.     

SYSTEMS MAPPING OF THE PHYSICAL-GEOGRAPHIC PROCESS IN A MARINE ENVIRONMENT

An analog to the (terrestrial) physical-geographical process, the concept of boundary surfaces, is elaborated and developed quantitatively for analyzing the diversity of marine ecosystems. Interactions among physical-chemical components of the oceans, and the adjacent coastal, atmospheric, and ocean bottom environments, provides a model used in the study and mapping of heterogeneous “waterscapes.” A series of tables identifies interacting geographic features commonly used as indices for mapping. Sample maps prepared for the Barents Sea and Indian Ocean demonstrate possible results of a systems approach. Translated from: Izvestiya, Vsesoyuznogo geograficheskogo obshchestva, 1985, No. 3, pp. 201-208.     

COLOR SYNTHESIS OF MULTISPECTRAL IMAGERY FOR MAPPING PURPOSES

The authors describe common Soviet practice in the making of false-color composite imagery for visual interpretation. Also addressed are standard image interpretation techniques: figure-ground color contrast, color separation (number of color gradations occurring within an average contrast range), and so-called landscape indicator techniques. Related issues, such as selection of spectral bands and filters for specific interpretation tasks, and the changing reflectance characteristics of band-specific intermediate images, receive attention as well. Tables and figures illustrating relationships between photographic contrast, film contrast ratings, optical densities, and spectral bands are included. Translated from: Geodeziya i kartografiya, 1985, No. 4, pp. 41-46.     

MONITORING OF NATURAL COMPLEXES AND TERRAIN DEVELOPMENT ON THE DRY FLOOR OF THE ARAL SEA

The principal objectives and methods of a Kazakh government program using remote sensing imagery to study processes of terrain development on the dried floor of the Aral Sea are described. A sketch map of relief-forming processes, compiled from the interpretation of false-color space photographs of the exposed sea floor, as well as multitemporal images obtained over a long period of time, will make it possible to compile cartographic models of terrain development and to forecast the evolution of natural complexes of the desiccated Aral Sea floor.     

AN INSTRUMENT-AIDED METHOD OF INTERPRETING SCANNER IMAGERY OF THE EARTH'S CLOUD COVER

The author, noting the high cost and complexity of automated methods of processing imagery of the earth's cloud cover, presents a less sophisticated, instrument-aided method yielding similar results. A procedure for analyzing cloud cover patterns based on color synthesis of two-band scanner imagery from Soviet “Meteor” and American NOAA-series weather satellites using a synthesizing projector is outlined. This method adds the interpretation key of color to those of cloud structure and form in the analysis of cloud patterns, enhances cloud-underlying surface contrasts, and compares favorably with more highly automated methods in image preparation and interpretation time. Translated by Jay Mitchell; PlanEcon, Inc.; Washington, DC 20005 from: Izvestiya vysshykh uchebnykh zavedeniy, Geodeziya i aerofotos'yemka, 1987, No. 5, pp. 95-98.     

TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY OF THE USSR COMPLETED AT A SCALE OF 1:25,000

The Director of the Main Administration of Geodesy and Cartography describes the history and recent developments of a program for topographic coverage of the entire country at 1:25,000 scale. Most noteworthy are the start of surveying at this scale before 1940, its temporary suspension during World War II, and acceleration of the work since the 1950s with the more widespread use of stereophotogrammetric methods. Considerable attention is paid to improvements in aerial photographic, photogrammetric, and geodetic technologies in support of more effective cartographic work. A concluding section describes the properties of the new maps and their applications. Translated by Larry Richardson, Los Angeles, CA 90039 from: Geodeziya i kartografiya, 1989, No. 8, pp. 1–5.     

LANDSCAPE-FUNCTIONAL MAPS IN THE STUDY OF URBAN GEOCHEMICAL ANOMALIES

A method is proposed for the use of large-scale “landscape-functional” maps (depicting interrelationships between landscape structure, land use, and environmental impacts) in the identification and explanation of geochemical anomalies within urbanized areas. Landscape-functional complexes or basic elementary landscapes located within different zones of human activity, serve as the basic units of mapping. An excerpt from a landscape-functional map of an unnamed mining-metallurgical center in a semi-arid mountain basin environment is provided as an illustration of how such maps reveal spatial associations between trace-element concentrations in soil, snow, and stream bottom sediments; location in respect to major pollution sources (proximity, upslope or downslope position, leeward or windward orientation); and frequency and intensity of trace-element transport (mass movements, stream and overland flow, prevailing winds). Translated from: Vestnik Moskovskogo Universitete, geografiya, 1986, No. 5, pp. 88-94.     

THE APPLICATION OF RADAR TO SURVEYING

Abstract

Radar can be applied to surveying for precise measuren1ent of long lines, and as a navigational aid and position-fixing device for an aircraft performing a photographic survey. Trials of the radar method have recently been carried out in Australia using a modified “Shoran” equipment. The results of a large number of radar measurements of six distances, varying from 160 to 310 miles in length, indicate that an accuracy of 7 parts in 10⁵ can be achieved. Equipment errors constitute the immediate limit to accuracy, but reasonable modifications would yield a figure of 2 parts in 10⁵. Radar measurements can be completed in a fraction of the time required by normal ground survey methods, since a measurement of upwards of a hundred miles is made in a single step.

As an aid to photographic surveying a straight-line track indicator actuated by data from the “Shoran” equipment has been designed and flight tested. Its performance enabled a pilot taking aerial photographs to keep the aircraft to within an average departure of less than 0.02 mile from any desired straight-line flight path.     

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.     

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.     

SOVIET GEODESISTS IN THE CENTRAL ARCTIC

The work of a recent Soviet geodetic surveying expedition to the Central Arctic and the Barents Sea off Franz Josef Land is described, with an emphasis on gravimetric surveying and determination of gravimetric control points at the North Pole and at two drifting polar research stations. In addition, glacier fields of Alexander Land (Franz Josef Land) were mapped and keys for their interpretation on space imagery identified. Translated from: Geodeziya i kartografiya, 1988, No. 3, pp. 9-12.     

ESTIMATES OF THE SENSITIVITY OF COMBINATIONS OF SPECTRAL RADIANCE COEFFICIENTS TO PROPERTIES OF THE VEGETATION COVER

A method is proposed for the calculation, based on the Goudriaan model, of estimates of various combinations of spectral radiance coefficients P_i which are optimal for interpretation of soil color and moisture, vegetation cover density, above-ground reserves of phytomass, and color and orientation of phytoelements. These estimates correspond rather closely with actual measurements obtained from the field. Translated from: Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta, geografiya, 1986, No. 4, pp. 75-79.     

THE EFFECTS OF HUMIDITY ON THE PROFILE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC PLATES

This paper examines the quantitative measurements of out-of-plane displacement produced by the effect of humidity changes on photographic plates in an attempt to provide a compensation which can be applied in situations involving photographic measurements in unstable ambient conditions. The two approaches discussed are profile measurements by holographic methods and a mechanical transducer technique.     

SPECIAL-PURPOSE REGIONALIZATION OF THE EUROPEAN USSR IN THE STUDY OF HUMAN IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT

A procedure is elaborated whereby image pattern (texture) provides the basis for development of a hierarchical regionalization scheme for the European USSR based on the level of human modification of the environment. Medium and high resolution scanner and photographic imagery in the visible and near infrared bands are analyzed, together with supporting materials, to identify 6 natural-economic zones, 14 natural-economic provinces, 52 natural-economic oblasts, and 180 natural-economic regions. Such regionalization permits comparisons among different parts of the USSR in terms of locations where image pattern (and landscapes) are more or less significantly altered by human activity. Translated by Jay K. Mitchell, PlanEcon, Inc., Washington, DC 20005 from: L. I. Vasil'yev, ed., Kosmicheskiye metody izucheniya biosfery [Remote Sensing Methods in the Study of the Biosphere]. Moscow: Nauka, 1990, pp. 18–23.     

DETERMINING THE PRODUCTIVITY OF MARINE ECOSYSTEMS FROM REMOTE SENSING IMAGERY

A paper devoted to applications of remote sensing in the analysis of marine biological productivity focuses on two major methodological issues: (1) the selection of productivity indicators, and (2) the choice of combinations of imaging conditions and sensor capabilities providing for the optimal recognition of these indicators. The list of the former includes indicators identifiable both from tonal and pattern characteristics and from relative location. A procedure for determining the latter is outlined in the form of equations, and figures and tables derived from them demonstrate levels of photographic contrast obtainable at various wavelengths and imaging heights. Translated from: Izvestiya vysshikh uchebnykh zavedeniy: Geodeziya i aerofotos'yemka, 1987, No. 4, pp. 73-78.     

RECENT ACTIVITIES OF THE PRIRODA STATE REMOTE SENSING CENTER

A brief review of the most recent of a series of far-reaching experiments at improving subsatellite monitoring and control during satellite imaging sequences focuses on efforts to coordinate international research and data collection for the purpose of developing a global exchange model in the land-atmosphere system. The experiment involved the coordinated processing of thermal, moisture, and radiation data obtained from a wide variety of sensors—scanners, radar, spectrometers, photographic cameras, hydgometers—from a wide variety of platforms—satellites, manned spacecraft, airplanes, ships, ground field observations at test sites. Translated by Edward Torrey, Alexandria, VA 22308 from: Izvestiya Akademii Nauk, seriya geograficheskaya, 1993, No. 2, pp. 127-128.     

STUDY OF THE MORPHOSTRUCTURES OF MOUNTAINOUS AREAS FROM SPACE IMAGERY

The authors review recent developments in the USSR in the use of remote sensing imagery in the analysis, at the world-regional and local levels, of major relief elements (and structural elements manifest in relief) typical of mountainous country. Keys to their interpretation at a variety of scales are described. Case studies and detailed interpretation of imagery in the Soviet Far East and Central Asia (large-scale) and the Caucasus (intermediate-scale) provide for the identification of all morphostructural elements possible through traditional analysis, and in the latter case, for the first direct detection of transverse (cross-cutting) faults. Translated from: Geomorfologiya, 1988, No. 1, pp. 16-29.     

THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC METHODS FOR TRAFFIC DATA COLLECTION

Several problems are encountered when collecting traffic information by conventional methods and which leave scope for the development of more comprehensive techniques. This paper reviews the potential of different types of photography as an effective means of obtaining comprehensive traffic information. Comparisons between conventional methods and photographic methods are made. The different types of available photography are discussed, together with their uses in the field of traffic data acquisition. Finally, the paper assesses the use of automatic and semiautomatic methods of photographic data analysis in this context.