Significance of the remotely sensed thermal infrared measurements obtained over a citrus orchard

In this work we have developed a theoretical model that helps the interpretation of the remotely sensed thermal infrared measurements carried out over citrus orchards. A detailed analysis of the different factors which take part in the definition of the effective emissivity and temperature (observation height, viewing angle, type of soil, dimensions and separation between orange trees) is made. The model was validated under vertical observation in a citrus orchard during seven nights. In this situation we have determined that the model performs to an accuracy of about 1%.     

Land damage assessment - a case study

The paper discusses the land damage assessment and change detection analysis with reference to a mineral bearing zone in Manjhi, Manuni and Churan valleys. The area is located in environmentally sensitive and fragile region of Himalaya and constitutes of nearly 400 small-scale mines of slate, which were operative since last one hundred years and are stopped by court of law since 1995 on account of environment deterioration. The status of land degradation has been studied using IRS-1B satellite data of 1988,1992 and 1995. The geo-coded data on 1:50,000 scale has been interpreted and an increase in land degradation status was noticed. Finally, the management strategy for arresting the further land damage in a broader perspective is suggested.     

Performance of rate detector algorithms for an integrated GPS/INS system in the presence of slowly growing error

In the Global Positioning System, there is no provision for real-time integrity information within the Standard Positioning Service, by design. However, in safety critical sectors like aviation, stringent integrity performance requirements must be met. This can be achieved using the special augmentation systems or RAIM (Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring) or both. RAIM, the most cost-effective method relies on data consistency, and therefore requires redundant measurements for its operation. An external aid to provide this redundancy can be in the form of an Inertial Navigation system. This should enable continued performance even when no redundant satellite measurements are available. An algorithm presented in previous papers by the authors detects the rate of slowly growing errors. The algorithm was shown to be effective for early detection of slowly growing errors that belong to the class of most difficult to detect errors. Firstly, rate detector is tested for varying faults. Secondly, real data are used to validate the rate detector algorithm. The data are extensively analyzed to ascertain whether it is suitable for integrity and fault diagnostics. A modification to the original rate detector algorithm is suggested by addition of a bias state to the dynamic model. The performance is then compared with the existing techniques and substantial improvement is shown.     

Non-linear motions of Australian geodetic stations induced by non-tidal ocean loading and the passage of tropical cyclones

We investigate daily and sub-daily non-tidal oceanic and atmospheric loading (NTOAL) in the Australian region and put an upper bound on potential site motion examining the effects of tropical cyclone Yasi that crossed the Australian coast in January/February 2011. The dynamic nature of the ocean is important, particularly for northern Australia where the long-term scatter due to daily and sub-daily oceanic changes increases by 20–55 % compared to that estimated using the inverted barometer (IB) assumption. Correcting the daily Global Positioning System (GPS) time series for NTOAL employing either a dynamic ocean model or the IB assumption leads to a reduction of up to 52 % in the weighted scatter of daily coordinate estimates. Differences between the approaches are obscured by seasonal variations in the GPS precision along the northern coast. Two compensating signals during the cyclone require modelling at high spatial and temporal resolution: uplift induced by the atmospheric depression, and subsidence induced by storm surge. The latter dominates ( \(>\) 135 %) the combined net effect that reaches a maximum of 14 mm, and 10 mm near the closest GPS site TOW2. Here, 96 % of the displacement is reached within 15 h due to the rapid transit of cyclones and the quasi-linear nature of the coastline. Consequently, estimating sub-daily NTOAL is necessary to properly account for such a signal that can be 3.5 times larger than its daily-averaged value. We were unable to detect the deformation signal in 2-hourly GPS processing and show that seasonal noise in the Austral summer dominates and precludes GPS detection of the cyclone-related subsidence.     

AN EXPERIMENT IN AUTOMATED INTERPRETATION OF REMOTE SENSING IMAGERY

Algorithms, designed for digital image processing in standard mainframe computers and representing sequential stages in a land-use classification procedure, are used to produce maps of agricultural crop types from multispectral satellite imagery. Pixel reflectance values are first grouped according to an unsupervised “rapid classification algorithm,” or data compression procedure. Mean reflectance values of the resulting classes then go into a supervised “sequential clustering algorithm” where classes are refined according to training value and other parameter inputs. The objective is to increase the accessibility of automated image interpretation while balancing classification accuracy and processing time. Translated from: Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta, geografiya, 1984, No. 4, pp. 63-69.     

GEOLOGIC INTERPRETATION OF ANTARCTICA'S MOUNTAINOUS REGIONS WITH SPACE IMAGERY

This paper demonstrates how ice-surface relief identified on space imagery can be used in mapping selected elements of the geologic structure of the Antarctic Peninsula. The mapping procedure is based on the fact that all major subglacial relief forms appear, albeit in subdued form, on the surface of slow moving and relatively thin ice sheets. Since subglacial bedrock relief reflects geologic structure, particular surface configurations of ice identified on space imagery can be used as indicators of major structural elements. Examples of the procedure, including imagery of ice relief and corresponding cartographic representations of underlying structure are provided for faults and ring structures. Translated from: Antarktika, AN SSSR Mezhduvedomstvennaya komissiya po izucheniyu Antarktiki, Doklady komissii [USSR Academy of Sciences Joint Commission on Antarctic Research, Commission Report], No. 24. Moscow, 1985, pp. 50-55. An article demonstrating the application of these methods in the compilation of a geologic map for a part of the Antarctic Peninsula will appear in a later issue.     

TEXTURE OF FOREST COMMUNITIES ON AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS

The authors discuss a method by which the image characteristics of forest vegetation can be used to determine various valuational characteristics of forest stands through the combination of air photo interpretation and ground surveys at selected training sites. Construction of curves showing changes in image texture and tone occurring at different stages in the growth cycle of a pine forest community are used to estimate the age of a forest stand, and through known relationships between age and other stand characteristics incorporated into yield tables, to approximate such valuational characteristics as mean diameter, mean height, and stand volume. Translated from: Distantsionnyye issledovaniya rel'yefa Sibiri, A. L. Yanshin and V. N. Sharanov, eds. Novosibirsk, Nauka, 1985, pp. 73-78.     

A METHOD OF AUTOMATING THE PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION DURING COMPLEX AIR PHOTO INTERPRETATION

A method of complex image processing, i.e., the simultaneous use of various kinds of remote sensing imagery in the mapping and study of geographic features, is outlined. It features the use of computerized techniques (a) to identify shots or frames of auxiliary types of imagery containing the same specific geographic features identified on the principal type of imagery [this through the scanning of code lines containing information about the coordinates of imaging, flight direction and altitude of the plane or sensing platform, etc.], and (b) to precisely locate the features of interest within these shots or frames. Translated from: Izvestiya vysshykh uchebnykh zavededeniy, Geodeziya i aerofotos'yemka, 1986, No. 1, pp. 86–91.     

A REMOTE SENSING METHOD FOR DETERMINING HEAT FLUX AT THE OCEAN-ATMOSPHERE BOUNDARY LAYER

Results of experiments in the measurement of heat flux at the ocean-atmosphere boundary layer are described. More specifically, an algorithm is presented for the calculation of the different components of total heat flux (from the ocean into the atmosphere) based on estimates of water temperature, wind velocity, and cloud cover obtained from remote sensing imagery. Use of the algorithm yields values for total heat flux which, when averaged over a ten-day period, are only 10% less accurate than those obtained according to traditional methods (research vessels, buoys, offshore platforms). Translated from: Izvestiya vysshykh uchebnykh zavedeniy, Geodezlya i aerofotos”yemka, 1986, No. 5, pp. 117-120.     

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.