Regional scale evapotranspiration estimation using satellite derived albedo and surface temperature

In the studies reteted to surface energy balance, satellite data provides important inputs for estimating regional surface albedo and evapotranspiration. The paper describes the use of satellite data in determining the surface emissivity over heterogeneous a’reas by taking Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) as modulating parameter at pixel resolution. The estimated emissivity values have been used to find the surface temperature at the pixel scale. Landsat-TM-visible, NIR, TIR bands data and some ground meteorological data have been used in an energy balance model for estimating surface albedo and evapotranspiration. The ET values derived from the model are in good agreement with the values obtained with. ‘CENTURY MODEL’ and ground observations over the area, suggesting the possible use of this approach fot regional scale studies on evapotranspiration.     

Airborne gravimetry used in precise geoid computations by ring integration

Two detailed geoids have been computed in the region of North Jutland. The first computation used marine data in the offshore areas. For the second computation the marine data set was replaced by the sparser airborne gravity data resulting from the AGMASCO campaign of September 1996. The results of comparisons of the geoid heights at on-shore geometric control showed that the geoid heights computed from the airborne gravity data matched in precision those computed using the marine data, supporting the view that airborne techniques have enormous potential for mapping those unsurveyed areas between the land-based data and the off-shore marine or altimetrically derived data. Received: 7 July 1997 / Accepted: 22 April 1998     

Soil characterization based on land cover heterogeneity over a tropical landscape: an integrated approach using earth observation data-sets

Soil is a vital part of the natural environment and is always responding to changes in environmental factors, along with the influences of anthropogenic factors and land use changes. The long-term change in soil properties will result in change in soil health and fertility, and hence the soil productivity. Hence, the main aim of this paper focuses on the analysis of land use/land cover (LULC) change pattern in spatial and temporal perspective and to present its impact on soil properties in the Merawu catchment over the period of 18?years. Post classification change detection was performed to quantify the decadal changes in historical LULC over the periods of 1991, 2001 and 2009. The pixel to pixel comparison method was used to detect the LULC of the area. The key LULC types were selected for investigation of soil properties. Soil samples were analysed in situ to measure the physicochemical soil properties. The results of this study show remarkable changes in LULC in the period of 18?years. The effect of land cover change on soil properties, soil compaction and soil strength was found to be significant at a level of <0.05.     

Crop Residue Discrimination Using Ground-Based Hyperspectral Data

Crop residue has become an increasingly important factor in agriculture management. It assists in the reduction of soil erosion and is an important source of soil organic carbon (soil carbon sequestration). In recent past, remote sensing, especially narrowband, data have been explored for crop residue assessment. In this context, a study was carried out to identify different narrow-bands and evaluate the performance of SWIR region based spectral indices for crop residue discrimination. Ground based hyperspectral data collected for wheat crop residue was analyzed using Stepwise Discriminant Analysis (SDA) technique to select significant bands for discrimination. Out of the seven best bands selected to discriminate between matured crop, straw heap, combine-harvested field with stubbles and soil, four bands were from SWIR (1980, 2030, 2200, 2440 nm) region. Six spectral indices were computed, namely CAI, LCA, SINDRI, NDSVI, NDI5 and hSINDRI for crop residue discrimination. LCA and CAI showed to be best (F?>?115) in discriminating above classes, while LCA and SINDRI were best (F?>?100) among all indices in discriminating crop residue under different harvesting methods. Comparison of different spectral resolution (from 1 nm to 150 nm) showed that for crop residue discrimination a resolution of 100 nm at 2100–2300 m region would be sufficient to discriminate crop residue from other co-existing classes.     

Geospatial Technologies for National Geomorphology and Lineament Mapping Project – A Case Study of Goa State

A three level classification system, based on the genesis of landforms, was used to map the geomorphology of the Goa state. The first level corresponds to the process that was responsible for landform generation, the second level or the intermediate level was assigned based on the morphography, and the third level corresponds to the individual landforms units identified based on the morphostructure. The mapping was carried out using IRS-P6 LISS-III (23.5 m) satellite image as the primary data source. Ancillary data such as geological map, topographic map, digital elevation model (DEM), field data collected by global positioning system (GPS) and web portals for image visualisation, were also used for the mapping purpose. A new software designed for mapping landforms based on the genesis, was used in this study to create a seamless geomorphology and lineament database of the Goa state in a GIS environment. A total of 58 landforms within six types of genetic classes were mapped in this area. Similarly, structural and geomorphic lineaments were also delineated using the satellite data. The database created has multi-purpose usability such as environmental studies, mining activity assessment, coastal zone management and wasteland development, since the classification system used is focused on processes, not theme specific.     

Understanding the Spatial Variability of Chlorophyll a and Total Suspended Matter Distribution Along the Southwest Bay of Bengal Using In-Situ and OCM-2 & MODIS-Aqua Measurements

Spatial and temporal distribution of chlorophyll a (chl a) and Total Suspended Matter (TSM) and inter comparison of Ocean Color Monitor-2 (OCM-2) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS-Aqua) derived chlorophyll a and TSM was made along the southwest Bay of Bengal (BoB). The in-situ chl a and TSM concentration measured during different seasons were ranged from 0.09 to 10.63 μgl^?1 and 11.04–43.75 mgl^?1 respectively. OCM-2 and MODIS derived chl a showed the maximum (6–8 μgl^?1) at nearshore waters and the minimum (0–1 μgl^?1) along the offshore waters. OCM-2 derived TSM imageries showed the maximum (50–60 mgl^?1) along the nearshore waters of Palk Strait and the moderate concentration (2–5 mgl^?1) was observed in the offshore waters. MODIS derived minimum TSM concentration (13.244 mgl^?1) was recorded along the offshore waters, while the maximum concentration of 15.78 mgl^?1 was found along the Kodiakarai region. The inter-comparison of OCM-2 and MODIS chl a data (R ² ?=?0.549, n?=?49, p?<?0.001, SEE?=?±0.117) indicate that MODIS data overestimates chl a concentration in the nearshore waters of the southern BoB compared to the OCM-2. The correlation between OCM-2 and MODIS-Aqua TSM data (R ² ?=?0.508, N?=?53, P?<?0.001 and SEE?=?±0.024) confirms that variation in the range of values measured by OCM-2 (2–60 mgl^?1) and the MODIS (13–16 mgl^?1) derived TSM values. Despite problems in range of measurements, persistent cloud cover etc., the launch of satellites like OCM-2 with relatively high spatial resolutions makes job easier and possible to monitor chl a distribution and sediment discharges on day to day basis in the southwest BoB.     

Land use/land cover dynamics in Umngot watershed of Meghalaya using geospatial tools

Meghalaya is a landlocked state where the progress of industrialization is very slow. Majority of the population (rural) depends on agriculture. Agriculture in the state is carried on in primitive ways with Jhumming prevailing in many parts. This practice is considered destructive as vast forest areas are cleared and burnt. Such areas are used for cultivation and left out. After a gap of few years (2–3 years as of now and 15–20 years in past) the area is revisited for cultivation without allowing to rejuvenate. The present work provides a status and trend of Land use land cover dynamics in parts (at watershed level) of Meghalaya. The geospatial tools have been used to assess (a) the changes in land use land cover since 1970s to 2005; (b) patch dynamics for understanding the degree of fragmentation; (c) changes along the terrain topography. Umngot watershed of Meghalaya is taken as experimental area, which is a representative of mid-altitudinal watershed particularly in the Jaintia hills district of Meghalaya.     

Classical globally reflected gravity field determination in modern locally oriented multiscale framework

The purpose of this paper is the canonical connection of classical global gravity field determination following the concept of Stokes (Trans Camb Philos Soc 8:672–712, 1849), Bruns (Die Figur der Erde, Publikation Königl. Preussisch. Geodätisches Institut, P. Stankiewicz Buchdruckerei, Berlin, 1878), and Neumann (Vorlesungen über die Theorie des Potentials und der Kugelfunktionen. Teubner, Leipzig, pp 135–154, 1887) on the one hand and modern locally oriented multiscale computation by use of adaptive locally supported wavelets on the other hand. The essential tools are regularization methods of the Green, Neumann, and Stokes integral representations. The multiscale approximation is guaranteed simply as linear difference scheme by use of Green, Neumann, and Stokes wavelets. As an application, gravity anomalies caused by plumes are investigated for the Hawaiian and Iceland areas.