Ingestion rates and grazing impact of the brackwater mussel Brachidontes virgiliae in Lake St Lucia,iSimangaliso Wetland Park,South Africa

Bivalves feed on a combination of phytoplankton and zooplankton and have the potential to impact considerably the planktonic biomass, especially when they occur in high densities, such as in oyster and mussel beds. The brackwater mussel Brachidontes virgiliae is numerically dominant during wet phases within Africa’s largest estuarine lake, St Lucia, in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park on the east coast of South Africa. The ingestion rates and potential grazing impact of this small mussel (maximum shell length = 2.5 cm) were estimated for both the wet and dry seasons using an in situ gut fluorescence technique. Ingestion rates were higher during the wet season (5.78 µg pigment ind.^?1 d^?1) than during the dry season (4.44 µg pigment ind.^?1 d^?1). This might be explained by the increased water temperature and food availability during the wet season. Because of the patchy distribution of mussel populations, there could be higher localised grazing impact near mussel aggregations. Results showed a potential grazing impact of up to 20 times the available phytoplankton biomass at specific sites. These high grazing impacts have the potential to deplete phytoplankton stocks in the lake, especially during wet phases in the northern reaches, where mussel densities are highest. This needs to be factored into ecological models of Lake St Lucia, because the system might function differently during increased flood events.     

Estimating spatial variations of total evaporation using multispectral sensors within the uMngeni catchment,South Africa

Total evaporation is of importance in assessing and managing long-term water use, especially in water-limited environments. Therefore, there is need to account for water utilisation by different land uses for well-informed water resources management and future planning. This study investigated the feasibility of using multispectral Landsat 8 and moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) remote sensing data to estimate total evaporation within the uMngeni catchment in South Africa, using surface energy balance system. The results indicated that Landsat 8 at 30 m resolution has a better spatial representation of total evaporation, when compared to the 1000 m MODIS. Specifically, Landsat 8 yielded significantly different mean total evaporation estimates for all land cover types (one-way ANOVA; F_4.964?=?87.011, p < 0.05), whereas MODIS failed to differentiate (one-way ANOVA; F_2.853?=?0.125, p = 0.998) mean total evaporation estimates for the different land cover types across the catchment. The findings of this study underscore the utility of the Landsat 8 spatial resolution and land cover characteristics in deriving accurate and reliable spatial variations of total evaporation at a catchment scale.     

机器学习法在面向对象影像分类中的对比分析

针对如何选择遥感影像面向地理对象分类方法的问题,该文面向地理国情普查中的地表覆盖分类应用,以3个典型区域(山区、平原、城区)的多源高分辨率遥感影像为实验数据,从分类效果、分类精度等方面对比分析3种分类方法(支持向量机、决策树、随机森林)的优劣。在相同影像分割、特征提取、样本采集条件下,通过333组分类实验,得出以下规律:支持向量机分类方法稳定性强,分类速度快,但对特征数的要求高,特征数目与总体精度、地物环境之间的规律性不强,从而增加了特征提取与选择的难度,而随着特征的增加,决策树、随机森林的总体分类精度均为先升高后降低,最后趋于平衡。最后,综合随机森林对特征的优选机制和支持向量机的高分类精度,得到新的组合分类器。     

面向对象的卫星影像积雪信息提取

针对传统基于像元的积雪提取方法的不足,该文以HJ-1B/CCD、IRS遥感影像作为数据源,通过分析HJ-1B影像上的地物特征,提出了先对影像特征合并后进行多尺度分割的积雪提取方法。多尺度分割时,首先将影像分割成多边形对象,然后建立起积雪提取的规则集,进而对积雪信息进行提取。为了验证提取精度,该文对比分析了NDSI方法和本文方法提取积雪的结果,并利用目视解译积雪提取结果定量地进行了精度评价。结果表明:采用本文方法提取积雪具有较高的可靠性和准确性。     

浅谈辽宁盘锦沿海滩涂开发利用变化监测

伴随着沿海大规模的开发利用,自然生态系统景观格局出现了巨大的变化。在此形势下,对近年来沿海滩涂的规模及开发利用方式进行动态监测具有重要意义。本文就辽宁盘锦沿海滩涂开发利用变化监测的内容、技术方案进行了简要论述,旨在为后期其他城市的监测提供技术参考。     

基于高分遥感数据的地表覆盖专题监测研究

为推动高分遥感数据在地理国情地表覆盖专题监测工作中的应用,研究了基于高分遥感数据开展地理国情地表覆盖专题监测的技术路线和数据处理与分析方法,探讨了专题监测系统的模块和功能设置,以期为地理国情地表覆盖专题监测工作提供参考。     

泾河合水川流域近50年径流演变特征及影响因素分析

在泾河合水川流域1964~2011年的年降雨、径流变化特征分析基础上,利用Mann-Kendall法、双累计曲线法定量分析了其趋势及相互关系,并探讨了变化成因。结果表明,1964~2011年的年降雨量呈轻微下降趋势（P=0.52）,年变率-0.04 mm/a;径流深呈不显著下降趋势（P=0.97）,年变率-0.10 mm/a。变化趋势与泾河东北部、黄河河口-龙门区间西南部类似,与黄河中游其它子流域差异较大。二者突变年份分别为2000年和1978年。1964~1978年是该流域降雨-径流关系的天然时期,1979年后受水保工程修建、植被覆盖增加等人类活动影响,降雨-径流关系发生变化。     

查格勒布鲁剖面CGS3a层段主元素记录的巴丹吉林沙漠35 000~25 000 a B. P.季风环境变化

对巴丹吉林沙漠东南缘查格勒布鲁剖面该层段的CGS3a层段（Chagelebulu Section 3a）139个样品的主元素——SiO₂、Al₂O₃、TOFE（Fe₂O₃+FeO）进行分析,划分出与地层旋回对应的5.5个化学元素旋回。研究认为：沙丘砂和黄土中SiO₂呈现的峰和Al₂O₃、TOFE、(TOFE+Al₂O₃)/SiO₂和CIA呈现的谷是类似于现代干冷的冬季风在过去多次作用的结果,而嗣后的湖相SiO₂呈现的谷和Al₂O₃、TOFE、(TOFE+Al₂O₃)/SiO₂和CIA的呈现的峰是类似于现代暖湿的夏季风在过去多次作用的结果。即35 000~25 000 a B. P.该沙漠经历了5次冬季风和6次夏季风交替的气候波动,这些气候事件与GRIP冰芯氧同位素记录的D/O（Dansgaard/Oeschger）事件相对应,Heinrich事件也在其中有很好体现。CGS3a层段所记录的千年尺度的气候波动可能是受到了北大西洋气候突变的影响。     

SCHMIDT‐HAMMER EXPOSURE AGES FROM PERIGLACIAL PATTERNED GROUND (SORTED CIRCLES) IN JOTUNHEIMEN,NORWAY, AND THEIR INTERPRETATIVE PROBLEMS

Periglacial patterned ground (sorted circles and polygons) along an altitudinal profile at Juvflya in central Jotunheimen, southern Norway, is investigated using Schmidt‐hammer exposure‐age dating (SHD). The patterned ground surfaces exhibit R‐value distributions with platycurtic modes, broad plateaus, narrow tails, and a negative skew. Sample sites located between 1500 and 1925 m a.s.l. indicate a distinct altitudinal gradient of increasing mean R‐values towards higher altitudes interpreted as a chronological function. An established regional SHD calibration curve for Jotunheimen yielded mean boulder exposure ages in the range 6910 ± 510 to 8240 ± 495 years ago. These SHD ages are indicative of the timing of patterned ground formation, representing minimum ages for active boulder upfreezing and maximum ages for the stabilization of boulders in the encircling gutters. Despite uncertainties associated with the calibration curve and the age distribution of the boulders, the early‐Holocene age of the patterned ground surfaces, the apparent cessation of major activity during the Holocene Thermal Maximum (HTM) and continuing lack of late‐Holocene activity clarify existing understanding of the process dynamics and palaeoclimatic significance of large‐scale sorted patterned ground as an indicator of a permafrost environment. The interpretation of SHD ages from patterned ground surfaces remains challenging, however, owing to their diachronous nature, the potential for a complex history of formation, and the influence of local, non‐climatic factors.     

Towards a multi-scale approach for an Earth observation-based assessment of natural resource exploitation in conflict regions

The exploitation of resources, if not properly managed, can lead to spoiling natural habitats as well as to threatening people’s health, livelihoods and security. The paper discusses a multi-scale Earth observation-based approach to provide independent information related to exploitation activities of natural resources for countries which are experiencing armed conflict. The analyses are based on medium to very high spatial resolution optical satellite data. Object-based image analysis is used for information extraction at these different scales. On a subnational level, conflict-related land cover changes as an indication of potential hot spots for exploitation activities are classified. The regional assessment provides information about potential activity areas of resource exploitation, whereas on a local scale, a site-specific assessment of exploitation areas is performed. The study demonstrates the potential of remote sensing for supporting the monitoring and documentation of natural resource exploitation in conflict regions.