THE WORLD ATLAS OF SNOW AND ICE RESOURCES

The World Atlas of Snow and Ice Resources, scheduled for publication in the late 1980s, is an extensive cartographic summary of current knowledge about snow and ice. Roughly 750 maps organized under 17 broad themes cover topics such as glacier morphology, temperature and precipitation conditions in glacier formation, avalanches, meltwater runoff, sea ice, and past glaciation. The organization of the project is described along with the contents of major thematic sections, and examples of the use of basic initial maps to validate information used in more complex derivative maps are provided. Translated from: Materialy glyatsiologicheskikh issledovaniy, USSR Geophysical Committee Publication No. 51. Moscow: Mezhvedomstvenniy geofizicheskiy komitet, 1984, pp. 89-95.     

THE CURRENT STATUS OF BATHYMETRIC MAPPING

A review article on world bathymetric mapping activity over the last quarter century from a Soviet perspective provides information about Soviet mapping programs of the deep sea and continental shelf. In addition, it addresses a number of methodological issues in bathymetric mapping which are attributed to the lag between advances in practical mapping activity and the development of cartographic theory—the selection of isobath intervals and appropriate scales for different sea floor features and intended map uses, and the proper use of layer tinting and other graphic techniques to depict variations in water depth without obscuring details of submarine topography. Translated from: Vestnik Leningradskogo Universiteta, seriya 7 [geologiya, geografiya], 1987, No. 2, pp. 62-71.     

EXTRAPOLATION IN TIME OF REFERENCE DATA ON THE CONDITION OF NATURAL FEATURES: THE EXAMPLE OF WINTER WHEAT

The author outlines a method for extrapolating reference spectral data describing the condition of certain crops obtained for a particular point in time to periods for which reliable remote sensing data are not available. Examination of the correspondence between crop “condition classes,” identified through visual interpretation of aerial imagery, and actual yields/biomass for a number of phases of crop development of winter wheat for several crop years provides basic information for a probability matrix of the condition of a crop at times B, C, and D based on previous conditions at times A, B, and C. Translated from: Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta, geografiya, 1988, No. 4, pp. 73-79.     

A spectral optimally interpolated mean sea surface from satellite radar altimetry

 A technique is presented for the development of a high-precision and high-resolution mean sea surface model utilising radar altimetric sea surface heights extracted from the geodetic phase of the European Space Agency (ESA) ERS-1 mission. The methodology uses a cubic-spline fit of dual ERS-1 and TOPEX crossovers for the minimisation of radial orbit error. Fourier domain processing techniques are used for spectral optimal interpolation of the mean sea surface in order to reduce residual errors within the initial model. The EGM96 gravity field and sea surface topography models are used as reference fields as part of the determination of spectral components required for the optimal interpolation algorithm. A comparison between the final model and 10 cycles of TOPEX sea surface heights shows differences of between 12.3 and 13.8 cm root mean square (RMS). An un-optimally interpolated surface comparison with TOPEX data gave differences of between 15.7 and 16.2 cm RMS. The methodology results in an approximately 10-cm improvement in accuracy. Further improvement will be attained with the inclusion of stacked altimetry from both current and future missions. Received: 22 December 1999 / Accepted: 6 November 2000     

Vegetation species mapping in a coastal-dune ecosystem using high resolution satellite imagery

Vegetation mapping is a priority when managing natural protected areas. In this context, very high resolution satellite remote sensing data can be fundamental in providing accurate vegetation cartography at species level. In this work, a complete processing methodology has been developed and validated in a complex vulnerable coastal-dune ecosystem. Specifically, the analysis has been carried out using WorldView-2 imagery, which offers spatial and spectral resolutions. A thorough assessment of 5 atmospheric correction models has been performed using real reflectance measures from a field radiometry campaign. To select the classification methodology, different strategies have been evaluated, including additional spectral (23 vegetation indices) and spatial (4 texture parameters) information to the multispectral bands. Likewise, the application of linear unmixing techniques has been tested and abundance maps of each plant species have been generated using the library of spectral signatures recorded during the campaign. After the analysis conducted, a new methodology has been proposed based on the use of the 6S atmospheric model and the Support Vector Machine classification algorithm applied to a combination of different spectral and spatial input data. Specifically, an overall accuracy of 88,03% was achieved combining the corrected multispectral bands plus a vegetation index (MSAVI2) and texture information (variance of the first principal component). Furthermore, the methodology has been validated by photointerpretation and 3 plant species achieve significant accuracy: Tamarix canariensis (94,9%), Juncus acutus (85,7%) and Launaea arborescens (62,4%). Finally, the classified procedure comparing maps for different seasons has also shown robustness to changes in the phenological state of the vegetation.     

A ROUGH RULE FOR THE INTERVISIBILITY OF POINTS ON OR JUST ABOVE THE EARTH'S SURFACE

Abstract

It has been shown in an earlier number of the Empire Survey Review (iv, 24, 70) that if an observer whose eye is at sea level in a calm sea sees an object at a distance s, so that it appears to be on the horizon, then the height of that object above sea level is given by <mml:math><mml:mrow><mml:mi>h</mml:mi><mml:mo>=</mml:mo><mml:mi>K</mml:mi><mml:msup><mml:mi>s</mml:mi><mml:mn>2</mml:mn></mml:msup></mml:mrow></mml:math> where <mml:math><mml:mrow><mml:mi>K</mml:mi><mml:mo>=</mml:mo><mml:mfrac><mml:mrow><mml:mfrac><mml:mn>1</mml:mn><mml:mn>2</mml:mn></mml:mfrac><mml:mo>?</mml:mo><mml:mi>k</mml:mi></mml:mrow><mml:mi>r</mml:mi></mml:mfrac></mml:mrow></mml:math>; being the coefficient of refraction and r the mean radius of the earth.     

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.     

Quasi-stationary sea surface topography estimation by the multiple input/output method

 Multiple input/multiple output system theory (MIMOST) is briefly presented, and the application of the method to the quasi-stationary sea surface topography (QSST) estimation and the filtering of the input observations are discussed. The repeat character of satellite altimetry missions provides more than one sample of the measured sea surface height (SSH) field, and an approximation of the input signal and error power spectral densities can be determined using this successive information. A case study in the Labrador Sea is considered using SSHs from ERS1 phases C and G, ERS1-GM, ERS2 phase A and TOPEX/POSEIDON altimetric missions in combination with shipborne gravity anomalies. The time period of the observations in this study is from 1993 to 1998. Some comparisons between the techniques used for the power spectral density approximation are carried out and some remarks on the properties of the estimated QSST are presented. Received: 19 October 1999 / Accepted: 23 October 2000     

Advances in the numerical solution of the linear molodensky problem

The solution of the linear Molodensky problem by analytical continuation to point level is numerically the most convenient of all the theoretically equivalent solutions. It is obtained by successively applying the same integral operator and it does not depend explicitly on the terrain inclination. However, its dependence on the computation point restricts somehow the computational efficiency. The use of the Fourier transform for the evaluation of the integral operator in planar approximation lessens significantly the burden of computations. Using this spectral approach, the problem has been reformulated and solved in the frequency domain. Moreover, it is shown that the solution can be easily split into two steps: (a) “downward” continuation to sea level, which is independent of the computation point, and (b) “upward” continuation from sea to point level, using the values computed at sea level. Such a treatment not only simplifies the formulas and increases the numerical efficiency but also clarifies the physical interpretation and the theoretical equivalence of the continuation solution with respect to the other solution types. Numerical tests have been performed to investigate which terms in the Molodensky series are of significance for geoid and deflection computations. The practical difficulty of differences in the grid spacings of gravity and height data has been overcome by frequency domain interpolation. Presented at theXIX IUGG General Assembly, Vancouver, B.C., August 9–22, 1987.     

多波段摄影监测海面油溢的实验

本文介绍了用船载多波段摄影对海面油溢进行监测的实验。实验表明,海水与油膜的光谱反射虽然较低,但在0.3—0.5微米光谱区却有较大的对比度,可获取清晰的油溢图像。实验还表明,选择最佳光谱段组合,从光谱近紫外区到红区均能获取海面油溢图像,其中以紫蓝光谱区最为理想,近紫外区和蓝绿光谱区次之,红区较差。 本实验为水面环境污染监测和科学研究提供了一种较好的实时监测手段。     

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.     

THE ISLANDS OF THE TRISTAN D'ACUNHA GROUP

Abstract

In January, 1934, a report was received from the Royal Research Ship Discovery II that the positions of Inaccessible and Nightingale Islands in the Tristan d'Acunha group were incorrectly shown on British Admiralty chart No. 1769. The report originated from local information, and was to some extent confirmed by patent log distances run by Discovery II, and by sea sights, but no really definite evidence as to the correct position of the two islands was received. In effect, the report merely stated that both Inaccessible and Nightingale Islands were considerably nearer to Tristan Island than as charted.     

MAPPING THE AVALANCHE HAZARD FOR MOUNTAINOUS AREAS OF AFGHANISTAN

The authors describe a procedure for the compilation of maps of the avalanche hazard in high-mountain regions of Afghanistan. The basic sources of information include space imagery (photographs and scanner imagery), weather station data, and other geographic information on relief, elevation, location of moisture sources, etc. The methodology features the compilation of series of increasingly more specific and informative maps and graphs regarding the avalanche hazard: terrain types, snow cover depth and seasonal extent, duration of snow cover and its elevational zonation, snow as a factor in avalanche formation, and summary map of avalanche hazard. Translated by Elliott B. Urdang, Providence, RI 02906 from: Materialy glyatsiologicheskikh issledovaniy, 1991, No. 71, pp. 86–93.     

MEDIUM-SCALE MAPPING OF THE FOREST ECOSYSTEMS OF MONGOLIA

The paper describes the organization and preliminary results of a joint Mongolian-Russian program for mapping forest vegetation in an area of Mongolia adjacent to the Russian border. The project involved the compilation of a map of ecosystems, which provided a base for a subsequently prepared map of ecosystem disturbance by humans. The paper includes a discussion of procedures followed in compilation of the legends of the two maps, as well as a detailed analysis of the spatial patterns of human disturbance revealed by analysis of the second map. Translated by Edward Torrey, Alexandria, VA 22308 from: Geografiya i prirodnyye resursy, 1996, No. 3, pp. 135-144.     

城市遥感的特点及技术要求

由于城市具有典型的非均质性及构成城市的要素较小, 因此, 城市生态系统遥感与自然生态 系统遥感有显着的差异。本文讨论了影响城市遥感诸因素, 如人工物质的光谱特性、混合像元、 霾因子、边缘锐度及摄影死角等问题, 此外, 就传感器、像片比例尺、分辨率、旁向重叠率、时相 等的选择原则也作了论证。     

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.     

MODIS光谱指数在中国西南干旱监测中的应用

利用标准化降雨指数SPI比较了基于MODIS反射率数据提取的8种光谱指数(NDVI、NDWI、VARI、EVI、NDIIB6、NDIIB7、D1640和SR)对中国西南四省市(四川、重庆、云南和贵州)2000年—2012年典型干旱事件的反映。研究结果表明:(1)SPI指数能直接反映监测站点附近的干旱情况,其中3个月和6个月尺度的SPI(SPI3和SPI6)对2006年和2009年—2010年该区的特大干旱事件的监测效果较好;(2)除了D1640外,其余7种光谱指数的距平值与3个月尺度的SPI3都具有显著的相关性,其中NDIIB7、NDIIB6和VARI与SPI3的相关性较高(R0.3),在一定程度上可以表征中国西南地区的干旱状况;(3)MODIS NDIIB7距平值与3个月尺度的SPI3相关性最高(R=0.35),本文以其为例,再现了云贵高原2009年—2010年特大持续干旱事件的时空演变过程。     

基于CryoSat-2数据的海冰厚度估算算法比较

以北极为研究区,使用CryoSat-2数据,利用现有海冰厚度卫星测高研究中4种主流算法(Laxon03算法、Kurtz09算法、Yi11算法和Laxon13算法)分别对北冰洋海冰厚度进行估算,并将估算结果与研究区IceBridge机载激光测高冰厚数据进行了比较,探索各算法海冰厚度估算的差异,寻找最优的估算算法,为估算长时序海冰厚度提供基础和参考。结果表明,4种算法估算的海冰厚度空间分布较为一致,但不同算法估算的结果差异较大,可达0.476 m;4种算法估算结果大小依次为Laxon03算法、Yi11算法、Laxon13算法、Kurtz09算法;4种算法估算的平均海冰厚度差异,在北极波弗特海海域最大,其次是北极中心海域、格陵兰和挪威海;Laxon13算法估算结果相对于IceBridge观测结果与其他算法相比,具有最小的平均偏差和均方根误差,是卫星测高估算海冰厚度的最优算法。     

ON THE ESSENCE OF THE LANGUAGE OF THE MAP

The author continues development of his concept of cartography as the “language of the map,” an earlier paper of this subject appearing in translation in M.S.R.S., 1985, No. 1. Although the term language has been widely used to describe cartographic communication, current theory fails to incorporate aspects of the language which provide for a comprehensive understanding of its structure and function. In particular, the language of the map and its symbolic elements cannot be explained reflexively by methods and rules of symbol and map design, since these elements were developed not before but after the existence of the language. The language of the map thus is proposed as the mechanism which provides for replicability or duplication in the way a system of mapmaking-map use functions (under diverse conditions, purposes, historical periods, and levels of training of users) through its different methods, models, and norms. Translated from: Geografiya i prirodnyye resursy, 1985, No. 3, pp. 142-151.     

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.