Evaluating the impact of classification algorithms and spatial resolution on the accuracy of land cover mapping in a mountain environment in Pakistan

Satellite images of various spatial resolutions and different image classification techniques have been utilized for land cover (LC) mapping at local and regional scale studies. Mapping capabilities and achievable accuracies of LC classification in a mountain environment are, however, influenced by the spatial resolution of the utilized images and applied classification techniques. Hence, developing and characterizing regionally optimized methods are essential for the planning and monitoring of natural resources. In this study, the potential of four non-parametric image classification techniques, i.e., k-nearest neighbor (k-NN), support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and neural network (NN) on the accuracy of LC classification was evaluated in the Hindu Kush mountains ranges of northern Pakistan. Moreover, we have assessed the impact of the spatial resolution of the utilized satellite imagery, i.e., SPOT-5 with 2.5 m and Landsat-8 with 30 m on the accuracy of the derived LC classification. For the classification of LC based on SPOT-5, we have achieved the highest overall classification accuracy (OCA) = 89% with kappa coefficient (KC = 0.86) using SVM followed by k-NN, RF, and NN. However, for LC classification derived from Landsat-8 imagery, we achieved the highest OCA = 71% with KC = 0.59 using RF and SVM followed by k-NN and NN. The higher accuracy derived from SPOT-5 versus Landsat-8 indicated that the results of LC classification based on SPOT-5 are more accurate and reliable than Landsat-8. The findings of the present study will be useful for the classification and mapping task of LC in a mountain environment using SPOT-5 and Landsat-8 at local and regional scale studies.     

Spatial distribution analysis and susceptibility mapping of landslides triggered before and after Mw7.8 Gorkha earthquake along Upper Bhote Koshi,Nepal

The 2015 Mw7.8 Gorkha earthquake triggered thousands of landslides of various types scattered over a large area. In the current study, we utilized pre- and post-earthquake high-resolution satellite imagery to compile two landslide inventories before and after earthquake and prepared three landslide susceptibility maps within 404 km² area using frequency ratio (FR) model. From the study, we could map about 519 landslides including 178 pre-earthquake slides and 341 coseismic slides were identified. This study investigated the relationship between landslide occurrence and landslide causative factors, i.e., slope, aspect, altitude, plan curvature, lithology, land use, distance from streams, distance from road, distance from faults, and peak ground acceleration. The analysis showed that the majority of landslides both pre-earthquake and coseismic occurred at slope >30°, preferably in S, SE, and SW directions and within altitude ranging from 1000 to 1500 m and 1500 to 3500 m. Scatter plots between number of landslides per km^?2 (LN) and percentage of landslide area (LA) and causative factors indicate that slope is the most influencing factor followed by lithology and PGA for the landslide formation. Higher landslide susceptibility before earthquake is observed along the road and rivers, whereas landslides after earthquake are triggered at steeper slopes and at higher altitudes. Combined susceptibility map indicates the effect of topography, geology, and land cover in the triggering of landslides in the entire basin. The resultant landslide susceptibility maps are verified through AUC showing success rates of 78, 81, and 77%, respectively. These susceptibility maps are helpful for engineers and planners for future development work in the landslide prone area.     

Temporal changes in trace elements in brown soil and soybean after long-term fertilization

In agricultural production, specific elements in soil and plants are very important for the soil quality and plant productivity. Trace elements and rare earth elements enter in agri-environment by the application of fertilizers and, through anthropogenic activities, pose important health impacts even at low concentration due to non-biodegradable nature with long half-life. The micro nutrients are essential for human body in a quantity most of less than 100 mg/day. The nutritional element uptake by plants is regulated by availability of the required elements and element accumulation ability of the plants. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the accumulation of trace and rare earth elements after long-term application of different fertilizers in soil and soybean uptake. The inorganic fertilizers (NKP) and pig manure were applied to maize-maize-soybean rotation in Alfisols (brown) soil since 1979. Atomic emission spectrometry along with inductively coupled plasma technique was applied to determine trace and rare earth elements. The accumulation pattern of trace elements (TEs) observed in soil was Ni > Co > Se > Mo and rare earth elements (REEs) was found as La > Nd > Tb > Y > Pr > Gd > Er > Yb > Lu. In soybean stem, the TE and REE concentrations were Se > Ni > Co > Mo and Pr > Gd > Er > Yb > Tb > Nd > Lu > La > Y, respectively. Elemental concentrations in the seed samples were Ni > Se > Mo > Co and Pr > Gd > Er > Yb > Tb > Nd > Lu > Y > La. The seed of soybean accumulated Co, Mo, Ni, Gd, Pr, Er, Lu, and Tb more than the stem. Higher concentrations of Se, Nd, Y, and Yb were found in soil. These elements were higher in soybean stem followed by the seed. However, these elements are within safe toxic level and light pollution level.     

Continuous wavelet transforms of spectral decomposition analyses for fluvial reservoir characterization of Miano Gas Field,Indus Platform,Pakistan

Fluvial depositional systems constitute diverse host for the hydrocarbons all over the globe. Nevertheless, predicting the hydrocarbon sands within these assorted sand systems is a challenge for the prospect generation. We apply the continuous wavelet transform of spectral decomposition technique to a 3D seismic data of the Miano Gas Field in the Indus Platform, Pakistan. Full spectrum seismic attributes like the amplitude and root mean square (RMS) detect the reservoir sands down to a restricted reservoir compartment. Nonetheless, the continuous wavelet transforms can be advantageous in imaging and enactment of these clastic reservoirs within the whole reservoir zone. Rock physics reveal high-quality reservoir with an average porosity ～25% together with the discrimination of lithology/fluids, signifying the bright chances for ascertaining the potential stratigraphic reservoirs.     

Fishery stock assessment of Kiddi shrimp (Parapenaeopsis stylifera) in the Northern Arabian Sea Coast of Pakistan by using surplus production models

Pakistani marine waters are under an open access regime.Due to poor management and policy implications,blind fishing is continued which may result in ecological as well as economic losses.Thus,it is of utmost importance to estimate fishery resources before harvesting.In this study,catch and effort data,1996-2009,of Kiddi shrimp Parapenaeopsis stylifera fishery from Pakistani marine waters was analyzed by using specialized fishery software in order to know fishery stock status of this commercially important shrimp.Maximum,minimum and average capture production of P.stylifera was observed as 15 912 metric tons(mt)(1997),9 438 mt(2009) and 11 667 mt/a.Two stock assessment tools viz.CEDA(catch and effort data analysis) and ASPIC(a stock production model incorporating covariates) were used to compute MSY(maximum sustainable yield) of this organism.In CEDA,three surplus production models,Fox,Schaefer and Pella-Tomlinson,along with three error assumptions,log,log normal and gamma,were used.For initial proportion(IP) 0.8,the Fox model computed MSY as 6 858 mt(CV=0.204,R~2=0.709) and 7 384 mt(CV=0.149,R~2=0.72) for log and log normal error assumption respectively.Here,gamma error produced minimization failure.Estimated MSY by using Schaefer and Pella-Tomlinson models remained the same for log,log normal and gamma error assumptions i.e.7 083 mt,8 209 mt and 7 242 mt correspondingly.The Schafer results showed highest goodness of fit R~2(0.712) values.ASPIC computed MSY,CV,R~2,F_(MSY)and B_(MSY) parameters for the Fox model as 7 219 mt,0.142,0.872,0.111 and 65 280,while for the Logistic model the computed values remained 7 720 mt,0.148,0.868,0.107 and 72 110 correspondingly.Results obtained have shown that P.stylifera has been overexploited.Immediate steps are needed to conserve this fishery resource for the future and research on other species of commercial importance is urgently needed.     

Interactions of copper, organic acids, and sulfate in goethite suspensions

Sorption of copper and sulfate onto goethite (-FeOOH) in aqueous solution is examined in Cu---SO₄ binary-sorbate systems and in Cu-SO₄-organic acid (either phthalic acid or chelidamic acid) ternary-sorbate systems. Compared to single-sorbate systems, sorption of Cu onto goethite was enhanced at low pH values in the presence of sulfate. Sorption data for Cu and SO₄ in Cu---SO₄ binary-sorbate systems were described with the Generalized Two Layer Model by proposing formation of a Cu---SO₄ ternary surface complex. Addition of sulfate to a Cu-phthalic acid binary sorbate system had little effect on Cu sorption. However, addition of sulfate to Cu-chelidamic acid binary-sorbate systems resulted in significant reduction of Cu sorption at low pH values, primarily due to competition for surface sites between sulfate and Cu-chelidamic acid ternary surface complexes. While organic acids such as humic substances can potentially influence sorption of metal ions, results from this study suggest that the extent of such influence may be strongly dependent on the presence of other sorbing anions, such as sulfate. Sorption of Cu and SO₄ in Cu---SO₄-organic acid ternary-sorbate systems was predicted reasonably well, based on surface reactions and equilibrium constants derived from fitting of sorption data from single- and binary-sorbate systems. These modeling results provide a validation of the extrapolation of sorption from simple systems to multicomponent systems through surface complexation modeling.     

数字摄影测量工作站DVP实验

用不同的采样间隔５０μｍ、７５μｍ与１００μｍ的数字形像，所量测之结果与解析测图仪ＢＣ２量测结果作了比较，得到了有益的结果，并概要地介绍了ＤＶＰ之功能与操作。     

Influence of water stress and exogenous glycinebetaine on sunflower achene weight and oil percentage

The study was carried out to assess whether exogenously applied glycinebtaine has any role in reducing the adverse effects of water stress on sunflower achene yield and oil contents. Two sunflower lines, Gulshan-98 and Suncross were subjected to water stress at the vegetative and reproductive stages of plant growth. Three levels of glycinebtaine (0, 50 and 100 mM) were applied before sowing (seed treatment) and at the time of initiation of stress at the vegetative and reproductive stages. A marked adverse effect of water stress on 100-achene weight and achene oil contents were observed in both sunflower lines. Exogenous supply of glycinebtaine was not effective in alleviating the adverse effects of water stress on achene oil percentage. Foliar spray of glycinebtaine, however, significantly reduced the negative effects of water stress on achene weight. Seed treatment with either level of glycinebtaine was not effective in increasing the 100-achene weight and achene oil percentage under both normally irrigated and water stress conditions. The sunflower line, Suncross produced higher oil yield than that of Gulshan-98.     

Vegetation and soil characteristics of the wasteland of Valika Chemical Industries near Manghopir, Karachi

The vegetation of the wasteland of Valika chemical industries near Manghopir road, Karachi was studied. Nine plant communities were recognized based on dominant species. In these plant communities the vegetation was disturbed, mostly halophytic and dominated bySuaeda fruticosa,Tamarix indica,Salsola baryosma,Cressa cretica,Atriplex griffithii,Haloxylon recurvum,Indigofera hochstetteri,Prosopis julifloraandChenopodium album.The physico-chemical properties of the soils were also analysed. Soil texture was mostly sandy loam, which exhibited slight variations in the water-holding capacity. The soils contained a sufficient amount of CaCO₃⁻and exhibited mostly alkaline soil pH. The soils of the different plant communities had scarcely any organic matter or inorganic phosphorus. The exchangeable sodium in the soils of many halophytic plant communities was high, with appreciable concentrations of potassium.