THE PRESENT STATE OF ECOSYSTEMS IN MONGOLIA: PRINCIPLES OF EVALUATION AND MAPPING

This paper explores how such characteristics as the polarization of reflected radiation, the angular characteristics of its reflectance, and its thermal properties can be used to supplement conventional remote sensing studies of the condition of the vegetation cover. One possible application is clarified by means of an experiment testing the relationship between the degree of polarization of radiation reflected from cultivated cotton fields and the condition of the crop in those fields. Empirical data demonstrate that changes in the geometric structure of (and reflectance from) fields occurs when cultivated plants are subjected to stress (disease or moisture deprivation). Translated by Edward Torrey, Alexandria, VA 22308 from: L. N. Vasil'yev, ed., Kosmicheskiye metody izucheniya biosfery [Remote Sensing Methods in the Study of the Biosphere]. Moscow: Nauka, 1990, pp. 77–82.     

“3S”技术在农作物秸秆焚烧监测中的应用

介绍了“3S”技术在农作物秸秆焚烧监测中应用的一般原理和方法，包括利用RS技术监测焚烧农作物秸秆火点，判定农作物 进入收割期； 利用GIS技术确定卫星遥感监测焚烧农作物秸秆火点的性质和对火点信息进行分析管理； 利用GPS技术指导查找验证火 点的具体位置等。同时，还介绍了国家卫星气象中心近年来采用“3S”技术监测农作物秸秆焚烧的概况。     

MEAN SQUARE ERRORS OF POINT DETERMINATIONS

Abstract

Considering first of all the general case of a triangle ABC with base AB and apex angle C, the assumption is made that at A and at B only one orienting ray has been observed at each point besides the forward rays to C and that at Conly B and A have been observed. In other words, the three angles of the triangle have been observed. The adoption of General Schreiber's rule with regard to the weights of forward and back directions is valid here, since it may easily be shown that, when the weight of a forward ray is one-half of the weight of a back ray, the adjusted angles of a triangle conform to the condition of least squares.     

THE NAMING OF THE STARS

Abstract

We have seen that a few constellation-names used by us to-day make their appearance as far back as the Homeric poems, while the star-names Sirius and Arcturus are found in the works of Hesiod. We saw no reason to suppose that these early poets knew no names for other groups. They mentioned only those conspicuous heavenly objects that might occur in any general literature, as for example in the Old Testament books of Job and Amos. There are sporadic references to constellations in the extant works of the great Greek tragedians of the fifth century B.C., but these give us few additions to the Homeric list'. It is not till we come to the special literature of the subject that constellation-names appear in any quantity. The first specialist whose name stands out is the mathematician Eudoxus of Cnidus, a disciple of Plato, who lived in the first half of the fourth century B.C. He wrote a prose work entitled the “Phaenomena”, which, though unfortunately lost, was rendered into verse by the poet Aratus about 275 B.C.     

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.     

CONDITION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CONFORMAL PROJECTION

Abstract

In the Empire Survey Review for October 1938 (iv, 30, 480) a simple demonstration of the condition to be satisfied for conformal representation was given. This condition may be expressed by the equation w = f(z), where w and z are complex variables representing corresponding points in the w-plane and z-plane respectively, and f(z) is an analytic function of z.     

MEDICAL GEOGRAPHIC MAPPING AND THE ASSESSMENT OF THE INFLUENCE OF SURFACE WATER POLLUTION ON THE HUMAN ORGANISM

The paper presents results of applied medical-geographic mapping work by the Uzbek SSR Academy of Sciences in support of public health studies in Central Asian areas where water supplies are contaminated by runoff from irrigated fields. The final product of the work is a map depicting surface water quality in aggregate terms and according to indices for specific pollutants (for water quality monitoring points), which is described both in terms of its content and methods of data compilation and transformation. Translated by Elliott B. Urdang, Providence, RI 02906 from: Izvestiya vysshikh uchebnykh zavedeniy: Geodeziya i aerofotos “yemka, 1989, No. 2, pp. 166–171.     

THE ENGINEER SURVEYOR

Abstract

Survey Training for the Civil Engineer at the University has been discussed in four articles in the Review. (R. N. Ray, M.A., xii, 89, 104–110; H. Biesheuvel, B.Sc., xii, 90, 159–165; A. Stephenson, O.B.E., M.A., F.R.I.C.S., xii, 91, 217–222; K. R. Peattie, B.Sc., Ph.D., A.R.T.C., A.M.I.C.E., xii, 94, 376–379.) Cost of equipment for a large class and limitation of time in an already heavily loaded curriculum prevent the student acquiring enough training to undertake the survey work required on alarge engineering scheme. The schemes of training described in the four articles are greatly to be admired and it is hard to see how any improvement can be made.     

MAPS OF USE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE BURYAT REPUBLIC

A team of Russian geographers describes the development of a program for mapping land use/resource development and the condition of the environment in Russia's Buryat Republic. Three ecological maps recently compiled in the Republic, using a single cartographic base and employing standardized methods, are described. The last such map is a map of environmental use that reflects both a resource-development and an environmental-protection perspective. The article includes detailed examples of the legend of the latter map. Translated by Edward Torrey, Alexandria, VA from: Geografiya i prirodnyye resursy, 1998, No. 3, pp. 23-29.     

GEOECOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTALLY DISTURBED AREAS BASED ON CARTOGRAPHIC MODELING: THE EXAMPLE OF AREAS OF MINERAL DEVELOPMENT

The authors describe the results of an extensive geomorphologic mapping program for the Kura-Araks Lowland of Azerbaijan, designed to increase the level of background information available for the rational planning and operation of irrigation systems. A particular focus is placed upon the identification and depiction of landforms of the Lowland exerting an influence on hydrogeologic conditions, the ground water regime, and on crop cultivation patterns. Translated by Edward Torrey, Alexandria, VA 22308 from: Geografiya i prirodnyye resursy, 1995, No. 4, pp. 169-171.     

INTERPRETATION OF THE AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPE WITH SPACE IMAGERY

Heterochronous multispectral imagery from the “Fragment” scanner is used to identify and map a series of “natural-agricultural complexes,” or agricultural landscapes, of southern European Russia. Interpretation is based on imagery in the green, orange, red, and near-infrared zones of the spectrum (0.5-1.1 μm). Interpretation keys and other information designed to facilitate feature discrimination (optimal wavelengths, best seasons for imagining) are provided in many instances. Natural landscape and soil erosion maps are also compiled from the imagery, which supply information (an optimal crop rotation scheme and needed reclamation measures) used on the agricultural landscape map. Translated from: Vestnik Moskovs-kogo Unlversiteta, geografiya, 1985, No. 2, pp. 34-41.     

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.     

WOFOST模型与遥感数据同化的土壤速效养分反演

土壤速效养分是作物生长的必要条件,合理控制土壤速效养分含量对粮食增产、农民增收以及环境保护都有重要意义。随着现代农业技术的发展,可以通过变量施肥将土壤速效养分含量控制在最佳状态,这也对土壤养分的获取精度提出了更高的要求。当前的主要土壤速效养分遥感监测方法在监测精度、稳定性、成本控制和可推广性依然存在一定不足,甚至限制对变量施肥的指导作用。本文针对传统土壤速效养分估算方法的不足,提出了利用作物模型与时间序列遥感数据相结合实现耕层土壤速效养分反演的新思路,该思路以养分缺失引起的作物长势参数的变化为切入点,在数据同化算法设计和养分模块优化改造的基础上,利用作物长势参数遥感监测结果与模型模拟结果的差异设计了土壤速效养分反演算法,实现速效养分含量信息的有效获取。设计地面观测实验并利用地面观测数据对反演精度进行评价,结果表明该方法可以对土壤中的速效养分进行实时、高精度的稳定反演,3种主要的速效养分速效氮、有效磷和速效钾的R2分别达到了0.68、0.74和0.52,平均相对误差分别为7.45%、6.17%和9.97%。     

COMPUTER MODELING AND MAPPING OF THE SPATIAL-TEMPORAL DEVELOPMENT OF GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES VIA THE MONTE CARLO METHOD

The authors, drawing upon the work of Hagerstrand and others in the field of spatial diffusion modeling, develop a model for predictive mapping of the spread of disease based on the Monte Carlo method. Analysis of this particular model showed high coefficients of correlation between mathematical probability estimates of times of origin for epidemics in particular territorial units and their densities of population and population potentials. Translated from: Izvestiya, Vsesoyuznogo Geograficheskogo Obshchestva, 1986, No. 1, pp. 67-74.     

USE OF SATELLITE IMAGERY IN ESTIMATING THE MOISTURE CONDITION OF SNOW COVER

A method for determining areas of most intensive melting within a mountain snowpack is described, based on an inverse relationship between reflectance and age of snow at wavelengths greater than 0.8 μm. Comparisons between the area of snow cover detected on visible and near infrared satellite imagery at different times during the spring thaw, and more specifically differences in position of the snowline, permit identification of the upper boundary of a zone of intensive snow-melt and water discharge from the snow cover. Translated from: Distantsionnyye Issledovaniya rel'yefa Sibiri, A. L. Yanshin and V. N. Sharapov, eds. Novosibirsk: Nauka, 1985, pp. 88-91.     

APPLICATIONS OF REMOTE SENSING IN THE STUDY OF THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN OF DAGESTAN

The authors explore a wide range of applications of remote sensing methods in the study of natural hazards posed by exogenous geomorphologic processes in areas of predominantly calcareous and shale-based rock in mountainous portions of Dagestan. Space imagery, air photographs, and ground truth established from field observations provides the basis for the mapping of environmental conditions with an emphasis on the extent to which mass movements and other exogenous geomorphologic processes pose natural hazards to human residence and economic activity. Translated by Elliott B. Urdang, Providence, RI 02906 from: Geomorfologiya, 1993, No. 4, pp. 26-35.     

四湖地区洪水期遥感图像的解译

本文根据Landsat TM影像数据磁带和地面实况调查资料,提出了洪水期影像的解译方法,并以肖家湖实验区为例,解译了该区洪水期的影像。通过监督分类和非监督分类估算了洪水淹没范围;根据比值植被指数图像解译出了不同受灾程度作物的分布;用NDVI计算作物的受灾损失,并对结果进行了讨论。     

THE MAPPING OF NORTHERN GREENLAND

Approximately 110 sheets of orthophotomaps at a scale of 1:100000 covering all the ice, free area (300000 km²) of northern Greenland are to be produced by the Geodetic Institute of Denmark. Super-wide angle photography at a scale of 1:150 000 was acquired in 1978. Individual models are set up in a Wild B8S stereoplotter and, after carrying out aerial triangulation, a numerical method of absolute orientation is used. A digital ground model of the entire area is established in order to enable the interpolation of contour lines, for automatic plotting and to produce control data, for the orthophotoprojector. a Wild OR1. Methods of data handling and control, accuracies and typical errors are discussed.     

MAPPING GLOBAL PROBLEMS OF TODAY: THE FOOD PROBLEM

An approach to the mapping of food supply and distribution problems over the world is outlined and, more specifically, a program for the mapping of geographic types of diet in tropical nations, using Africa as a test case. Among the new types of cartographic products are maps and “typograms” showing the distribution, quality, and structure of standard diets (“food types”) based on various combinations of food products derived from crop agriculture, animal husbandry, hunting and gathering, and fishing in diverse natural and cultural environments. Sources of information and design considerations for the various elements of map content are elaborated. Translated by Jay K. Mitchell, PlanEcon, Inc., Washington, DC 20005 from: Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, seriya geograficheskaya, 1989, No. 4, pp. 98–107.