Integration of spatial data in vector and raster formats in a geographic information system environment

This paper examines the common methods for converting spatial data sets between vector and raster formats and presents the results of extensive benchmark testing of these procedures. The tests performed are unique in this field since: (1) they used both synthetic and real test data sets; (2) they measured conversion quality, accuracy and efficiency, not just how fast the procedure operated; and (3) they were conducted in a generic geographic information system (GIS) environment without the aid of specialized computer hardware. The results show that the best overall techniques are the ones which take advantage of spatial relationships inherent in the data sets. These were the Scan Line algorithm for vector to raster conversions and the Boundary Linking algorithm for raster to vector conversions.     

Application of singular spectrum analysis to identify the degrading structure using deteriorating distributed element model

Reinforced concrete structure may exhibit significant inelastic hysteretic behavior when subject to strong earthquake excitation. To investigate such an inelastic behavior, in this study, a new system identification technique is applied by using the deteriorating distributed element (DDE) model to simulate the hysteretic behavior of a degrading structure. Through the advanced signal processing technique, the multiple singular spectrum analysis (SSA) and the nonlinear SSA, the recorded inelastic restoring force of a deteriorating structure can be decomposed into several independent additive components in its sequentially degrading order and with decreasing weight. With each decomposed hysteresis loop, the model parameters of the DDE model are identified. The evolutionary properties of the progressive stiffness degradation behavior of reinforced concrete structure can be observed from the identified model parameters. Finally, comparison on the physical properties of the identified DDE model with respect to the seismic response data of the deteriorating structure is also discussed. The result shows that the proposed identification technique can have a good estimation on the seismic behavior of the degrading structure. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Coupling of a simultaneous heat and water model with a distributed hydrological model and evaluation of the combined model in a cold region watershed

Snow and frozen soil prevail in cold regions worldwide, and the integration of these processes is crucial in hydrological models. In this study, a combined model was developed by fully coupling a simultaneous heat and water model with a geomorphologically based distributed hydrological model. The combined model simulates vertical and lateral water transfer as well as vertical heat fluxes and is capable of representing the effects of frozen soil and snowmelt on hydrological processes in cold regions. This model was evaluated by using in situ observations in the Binggou watershed, an experimental watershed for cold region hydrology of the Watershed Allied Telemetry Experimental Research Project. Results showed that the model was able to predict soil freezing and thawing, unfrozen soil water content, and snow depth reasonably well. The simulated hydrograph was in good agreement with the in situ observation. The Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient of daily discharge was 0.744 for the entire simulation period, 0.472 from April to June, and 0.711 from June to November. This model can improve our understanding of hydrological processes in cold regions and assess the impacts of global warming on hydrological cycles and water resources. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于数据库存储方案的高性能瓦片地图服务研究

实时渲染与网络传输是影响WebGIS性能的两大因素,瓦片技术是改进系统性能的最佳选择,它通过对地图数据预先渲染、切片,有效减轻服务器处理压力,减少网络负载和响应延迟,但瓦片数据量庞大,磁盘存储碎片化,影响IO性能,数据可迁移性差,无论是数据备份、迁移或是恢复都耗时漫长。该文设计实现了一种新的基于文件数据库的瓦片存储方案,并将分布式缓存系统Memcached作为缓存支持集成在方案中,不仅克服了传统瓦片储存的缺陷,还在性能方面取得了优异的表现,是构建高性能瓦片地图服务的有益尝试。     

BIBLIOGRAPHY—BIBLIOGRAPHIE

Abstract

The Coupled Routing and Excess STorage model (CREST, jointly developed by the University of Oklahoma and NASA SERVIR) is a distributed hydrological model developed to simulate the spatial and temporal variation of land surface, and subsurface water fluxes and storages by cell-to-cell simulation. CREST's distinguishing characteristics include: (1) distributed rainfall–runoff generation and cell-to-cell routing; (2) coupled runoff generation and routing via three feedback mechanisms; and (3) representation of sub-grid cell variability of soil moisture storage capacity and sub-grid cell routing (via linear reservoirs). The coupling between the runoff generation and routing mechanisms allows detailed and realistic treatment of hydrological variables such as soil moisture. Furthermore, the representation of soil moisture variability and routing processes at the sub-grid scale enables the CREST model to be readily scalable to multi-scale modelling research. This paper presents the model development and demonstrates its applicability for a case study in the Nzoia basin located in Lake Victoria, Africa.

Citation Wang, J., Yang, H., Li, L., Gourley, J. J., Sadiq, I. K., Yilmaz, K. K., Adler, R. F., Policelli, F. S., Habib, S., Irwn, D., Limaye, A. S., Korme, T. &; Okello, L. (2011) The coupled routing and excess storage (CREST) distributed hydrological model. Hydrol. Sci. J. 56(1), 84–98.     

Effects of land-use/cover change on hydrological processes using a GIS/RS-based integrated hydrological model: case study of the East River,China

Abstract

An integrated model, combining a surface energy balance system, an LAI-based interception model and a distributed monthly water balance model, was developed to predict hydrological impacts of land-use/land-cover change (LUCC) in the East River basin, China, with the aid of GIS/RS. The integrated model is a distributed model that not only accounts for spatial variations in basin terrain, rainfall and soil moisture, but also considers spatial and temporal variation of vegetation cover and evapotranspiration (ET), in particular, thus providing a powerful tool for investigating the hydrological impact of LUCC. The model was constructed using spatial data on topography, soil types and vegetation characteristics together with time series of precipitation from 170 stations in the basin. The model was calibrated and validated based on river discharge data from three stations in the basin for 21 years. The calibration and validation results suggested that the model is suitable for application in the basin. The results show that ET has a positive relationship with LAI (leaf area index), while runoff has a negative relationship with LAI in the same climatic zone that can be described by the surface energy balance and water balance equation. It was found that deforestation would cause an increase in annual runoff and a decrease in annual ET in southern China. Monthly runoff for different land-cover types was found to be inversely related to ET. Also, for most of the scenarios, and particularly for grassland and cropland, the most significant changes occurred in the rainy season, indicating that deforestation would cause a significant increase in monthly runoff in that season in the East River basin. These results are important for water resources management and environmental change monitoring.

Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz     

On natural and laboratory generated dose response curves for quartz of different grain sizes from Romanian loess

One of the most important foundations of luminescence dating is the assumption that the growth of the luminescence signal in nature can be reproduced under laboratory conditions by performing irradiations with a calibrated beta or gamma source. When optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) of quartz with a dominant fast component is measured using the single aliquot regenerative dose (SAR) protocol, laboratory dose response curves that display continuing growth at high doses are increasingly reported in literature. In this study we investigate fine (4–11 μm) and coarse (63–90 μm) quartz extracted from 25 samples taken from L1, S1 and L2 units from the loess-palaeosol section at Costineşti in Romania. Our results indicate that the growth of the OSL signal in nature does not correspond to the laboratory generated laboratory dose response curve. The growth of the signal in nature is consistent with a single saturating exponential function, with the signal of coarse grains starting to saturate at 100–200 Gy, and for fine grains at 200–300 Gy, respectively. Laboratory dose response curves continue to grow for high doses (>300 Gy) for both quartz fractions. The differences observed between the natural and the laboratory dose response for the two quartz fractions are believed to be a cause for the different chronologies previously reported using the two grain sizes of quartz on Romanian loess. In addition, we have applied the single aliquot regeneration and added dose (SARA) procedure to both fine and coarse grains from the youngest sample. Our findings question the reliability of obtaining high equivalent doses for quartz samples displaying laboratory dose response curves obtained by the SAR protocol for which a single saturating exponential model does not describe the data.     

数字城市地理空间框架的研究与设计

"数字城市"是城市信息化的重要组成部分,在国民经济和社会发展进程中发挥着重要作用。地理空间数据框架是构建"数字城市"的数据平台,是建设"数字城市"的必要保证。网络地理信息系统(WebGIS)是"数字城市"建造和实践的基础,文中概括了分布式技术下WebGIS的技术特点,提出基于WebGIS构建数字城市地理空间框架,较好地解决了数字城市应用系统的互操作性和分布性问题。     

基于“天地图”的位置服务平台的设计与实现

在位置服务平台建设过程中,为了解决全国性地图数据源、标准统一、详实性、现势性等问题,设计在地图数据源上采用国家、省、市三级的"天地图"地图服务。并且介绍了平台的分布式架构、多服务器集群服务技术、多终端协议集成服务技术及"天地图"接入实现应用的方法。     

SAR interferometric coherence analysis for snow cover mapping in the western Himalayan region

Abstract

Information of snow cover (SC) over Himalayan regions is very important for regional climatological and hydrological studies. Precise monitoring of SC in the Himalayan region is essential for water supply to hydropower stations, irrigation requirements, and flood forecasting. Microwave remote sensing has all weather, day and night earth observation capability unlike optical remote sensing. In this study, spaceborne synthetic aperture radar interferometric (InSAR) coherence analysis is used to monitor SC over Himalayan rugged terrain. The feasibility of monitoring SC using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry depends on the ability to maintain coherence over InSAR pair acquisition time interval. ERS-1/2 InSAR coherence and ENVISAT ASAR InSAR coherence images are analyzed for SC mapping. Data sets of winter and of snow free months of the Himalayan region are taken for interferogram generation. Coherence images of the available data sets show maximum decorrelation in most of the area which indicates massive snowfall in the region in the winter season and melting in the summer. Area showing coherence loss due to decorrelation is mapped as a snow-covered area. The result is validated with field observations of snow depth and it is found that standing snow is inversely related to coherence in the Himalayan region.