CLASSIFYING STORM RUNOFF POTENTIAL WITH PASSIVE MICROWAVE MEASUREMENTS1

ABSTRACT: The average microwave temperature of the watershed surface as detected by an airborne Passive Microwave Imaging Scanner (PMIS) was compared with the measured Soil Conservation Service (SCS) watershed storm runoff coefficient (CN). Previous laboratory work suggested that microwave response to the watershed surface is influenced by some of the same surface characteristics that affect runoff, i.e., soil moisture, surface roughness, vegetative cover, and soil texture. In order to field test and develop relations between runoff potentfal and microwave response, several highly instrumented watersheds of approximately 1.5 to 17 km2 were scanned under wet- and dry-soil conditions in April and June 1973. The polarized (horizontal and vertical) scans at 2.8 cm wavelength provided the data base from which other values were calculated. The best relationship between runoff coefficients (CN) and PMIS temperatures was observed when horizontally polarized temperatures from the near-dormant, early-growing season flight were used. Lower SCS runoff coefficients seem to be correlated with the cross-polarized response under dry watershed conditions late in the growing season and the difference in horizontal polarized response between wet conditions early in the growing season and dry conditions late in the growing season. To apply the results, the relationships need to be verified further.     

Changes in Connecticut salt-marsh vegetation as revealed by historical aerial photographs and computer-assisted cartographics

Procedures are discussed for the interpretation of historical aerial photographs for salt-marsh vegetation mapping, as are techniques for computer-assisted analysis of digital vegetation maps. The mappings indicate an increase in the coverage by the low marsh speciesSpartina alterniflora Loisel. at three marsh sites studied in photographs from the period 1934–1981. It is hypothesized that changes in salt-marsh vegetation may be in response to natural tidal fluctuations or to management practices.     

AIRBORNE THERMAL MAPPING OF A “FLOW-THROUGH” LAKE IN THE NEBRASKA SANDHILLS1

The Sandhills region represents a tremendous water resource for the State of Nebraska. Small shallow lakes, marshes, and subirrigated meadows are abundant due to interactions between ground water and surface water. One theory relating ground water to lake-flow systems in the Sandhills has been termed the “flow-through” concept. Thermal-infrared remotely acquired images document the flow-through model for a test site in Western Nebraska.     

USING HEAT CAPACITY MAPPING MISSION (HCMM) DATA TO ASSESS LAKE WATER QUALITY1

ABSTRACT A water quality investigation on Utah Lake was conducted during the same time period that the Heat Capacity Mapping Mission (HCMM) satellite was collecting thermal infrared and reflectivity data. Relationships were established and evaluated among HCMM data and lake water quality parameters. Although remotely sensed reflective data have been previously utilized, this study was unique in that thermal emitted data were also correlated to algae concentrations and other indicators. Standard statistical evaluations were made along with utilization of color graphics techniques to identify and plot relationships. The emitted thermal energy was found to have high positive correlations with net algal concentrations and with the predominant species, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, a blue-green alga. No continuous correlation was found for a less abundant red pigment phytoplankton, Ceratium hirundinella. Similar trends, though for negative correlations, were shown for reflectivity data and algal concentrations throughout the spring and summer. Coincidence of areas of warmer emitted energy and darker relfected energy on colorgraphics displays clearly indicate lake areas of high algal concentrations. Night thermal data displayed a strong negative correlation with algal concentration, opposite to day thermal data. Color graphics of warmer day emitted energy and cooler night emitted energy further verify areas of high algal concentrations.     

POLLUTION SURVEILLANCE AND DATA ACQUISITION USING MULTISPECTRAL REMOTE SENSING1

Large scale water resource investigations and effective pollution surveillance programs require the development of additional instrumentation and techniques to supplement existing methods of data acquisition. As a result, interest is growing in the concept of remote sensing. Described in this paper is the multispectral sensor concept and its application in water resource studies.     

FLOOD INUNDATION IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES FROM AIRCRAFT AND SATELLITE IMAGERY1

ABSTRACT: Panchromatic black and white, color, and color infrared photographs and thermal infrared imagery are compared for a capability to show flood boundaries. In open agricultural and urban areas, these boundaries are easily delineated on all types of am. Boundaries are more difficult to see in wooded areas. In March, hardwood trees are dormant, but black and white photographs and color photographs show only the tops of these trees. Color infrared photographs in January and March have a distinctive color or tone in inundated woods; the limit of this tone is the flood boundary. Daytime thermal infrared imagery in March shows that inundated woods are cooler than dry land but warmer than open water. After about April 1, both color infrared photography and thermal infrared imagery show only the top of the tree canopy and do not reflect underlying flood water. Inundated areas can be delineated easily on ERTS satellite imagery from December through March. On imagery from May 4–5, 1973, however, most inundation boundaries had to be drawn as dashed lines; the tree canopy obscures flood waters in wooded areas. Despite this problem, the results of mapping flood boundaries on May imagery are believed to be reasonable for the scale of the imagery.     

Monitoring wetland changes with remote sensing: An East African example

Environmental managers need current, accurate information upon which to base decisions. Viable information, especially in developing countries, is often unavailable. Satellite remote sensing is an appropriate and effective data source for mapping the surface of the earth, including a variety of environmental features. Remote-sensing-derived information is enhanced by being one component within a geographic information system (GIS). These techniques were employed to study an expanding delta in East Africa.The Omo River flows from the Ethiopian Highlands into the northern end of Lake Turkana, creating a large delta extending between Ethiopia and Kenya. This isolated and unique wetland feature has expanded by over 500 sq km in the last 15 years as measured by space-borne remote sensing techniques and corroborated by low-altitude aircraft reconnaissance flights.The growth of the delta appears to be a function of both increased sedimentation and decreased lake levels and river flows. Within the delta there has been a selective decline in wildlife and an increase in human activity, both pastoral and agricultural. The uniqueness of this isolated delta suggests that consideration be given to its possible protection and management.On leave from Department of Geography, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia 22030, USA     

An introduction to digital methods in remote sensing of forested ecosystems: Focus on the Pacific Northwest,USA

Aerial photography has been routinely used for several decades by natural resource scientists and managers to map and monitor the condition of forested landscapes. Recently, along with the emergence of concepts in managing forests as ecosystems, has come a significant shift in emphasis from smaller to larger spatial scales and the widespread use of geographic information systems. These developments have precipitated an increasing need for vegetation information derived from other remote sensing imagery, especially digital data acquired from high-elevation aircraft and satellite platforms. This paper introduces fundamental concepts in digital remote sensing and describes numerous applications of the technology. The intent is to provide a balanced, nontechnical view, discussing the shortcomings, successes, and future potential for digital remote sensing of forested ecosystems.     

基于MODIS数据的乌梁素海水体遥感监测

近年来,内蒙古乌梁素海水体富营养化日益严重,致使藻类"黄苔"频繁暴发,对该湖泊的生态系统及湖泊周围地区饮用水安全造成了严重影响。利用遥感技术监测湖泊水体具有时效性强、监测范围广、成本低等优点。本文基于高时间分辨率MODIS数据,对乌梁素海水体进行了遥感监测。利用各个采样点的经纬度提取了各个采样点的反射率,建立了叶绿素浓度的对数反演模型、总氮浓度的多项式反演模型、总磷浓度的多项式反演模型,并将反演出的叶绿素、总氮、总磷值与实测值进行了相关性分析。结果表明,乌梁素海叶绿素、总氮、总磷值的反演值与实测值的相关系数均在0.6以上,说明所建立的反演模型可以较好的反演相应的水质参数。     

基于岭估计的青海省东部农业区ET_0遥感反演研究

论文利用青海东部农业区内的12个气象站2003—2005年气象资料,应用Penman-Monteith公式计算得到各站逐旬的ET_0值,并进一步研究其与高程(DEM)、地表温度(LST)及归一化植被指数(NDVI)3个因子之间的关系,提取遥感数据并耦合到时间分辨率为旬,空间分辨率为1 km,将其与计算所得ET_0建立多元反演模型。由于3个自变量因子之间存在着很强的相关关系,LST与NDVI间判定系数R2平均在0.7左右,不能直接用最小二乘回归方法建立模型。为有效避免自变量间相关性对模型的影响,研究中采用岭估计方法建模。结果表明,通过岭估计建立2003年10~33旬区域二元模型反演最低精度达76.19%,区域三元模型反演最低精度也有83.54%。与传统方法所建模型相比,检查点均方根误差减小约1.1,反演最低精度提高11%左右,能满足实际应用需求。