Spatial error propagation when computing linear combinations of spectral bands: The case of vegetation indices

The collection of accurate and timely information on land use, crops, forest and vegetation are increasingly based on remote sensing spectral measurements produced by satellites. The most recent spacecrafts like the Earth Observing 1 (EO-1) produce a rich source of information being endowed with hyperspectral sensors that can provide up to 200 or more channels. In many instances such a multivariate signal has to be reduced to just one single value per pixel representing a particular characteristic of land. Linear combinations of bands are the general form of many indices. Since each individual image used to construct indices contains errors, when combined they produce a propagation of errors, a process that can distort a final output map. In this paper we measure the extent of error propagation when building linear vegetation indices. We consider three types of indices: the difference vegetation index (DVI), selected Kauth-Thomas indices (SBI, GVI and WET), and principal components, using benchmarking examples taken from the remote sensing literature. The main implication emerging from these examples is that the SBI and the first principal component are the indices more prone to error propagation. The formalization presented here allows a user to derive measures of error propagation in cases where technical characteristics of a sensor and physical characteristics of a landscape are known. These results can help a user to choose between alternative vegetation indices, and to associate a measure of reliability with such indices.     

Evaluating stream restoration projects

River and stream restoration projects are increasingly numerous but rarely subjected to systematic postproject evaluation. Without conducting such evaluation and widely disseminating the results, lessons will not be learned from successes and failures, and the field of river restoration cannot advance. Postproject evaluation must be incorporated into the initial design of each project, with the choice of evaluation technique based directly upon the specific project goals against which performance will be evaluated. We emphasize measurement of geomorphic characteristics, as these constitute the physical framework supporting riparian and aquatic ecosystems. Techniques for evaluating other components are briefly discussed, especially as they relate to geomorphic variables. Where possible, geomorphic, hydrologic, and ecological variables should be measured along the same transects. In general, postproject monitoring should continue for at least a decade, with surveys conducted after each flood above a predetermined threshold. Project design should be preceded by a historical study documenting former channel conditions to provide insights into the processes suggest earlier, potentially stable channel configurations as possible design models.     

Ski slope vegetation in central Honshu,Japan

To determine the status of the vegetation of ski slopes in northeastern-central Honshu, Japan, 94 plots (2×2 m) were set up on five ski areas (101–520 m elevation) which were established between 1945 and 1985 by forest clear-cutting, land modification, and seeding. Six vegetation types were recognized: five grasslands dominated byDigitaria adscendens, Miscanthus sinensis, Zoysia japonica, Festuca rubra, andPteridium aquilinum var.latiusculum, respectively, and bare areas of very low to no vegetation cover. Of the dominant species,F. rubra is the only introduced species; it does not, however, appear to persist. After the introduced grassland declinesM. sinensis or annual grasslands develop. Native plants, especially woody species, can establish inM. sinensis grassland but do not establish in the other grasslands. It is concluded that the introduction of exotic species is inappropriate to maintain ski slope vegetation, and the development ofM. sinensis grassland is desirable to promote natural revegetation.     

AQUATIC HABITAT CONDITION INDEX,STREAM TYPE,AND LWESTOCK BANK DAMAGE IN NORTHERN NEVADA1

ABSTRACT: The quality of stream habitat varies for a variety of natural and anthropogenic reasons not identified by a condition index. However, many people use condition indices to indicate management needs or even direction. To better sort natural from livestock influences, stream types and levels of ungulate bank damage were regulated to estimates of aquatic habitat condition index and stream width parameters in a large existing stream inventory data base. Pool/riffle ratio, pool structure, stream bottom materials, soil stability, and vegetation type varied significantly with stream type. Pool/riffle ratio, soil and vegetation stability varied significantly with ungulate bank damage level. Soil and vegetation stability were highly cross-correlated. Riparian area width did not vary significantly with either stream type or ungulate bank damage. Variation among stream types indicates that riparian management and monitoring should be stream type and reach specific.     

Transforming the Response in Experiments Based on Percentage Cover of Vegetation

Many ecological studies use popular variables such as percentage cover of the vegetation to assess the effects of different treatments or environmental management or conditions. Starting with sparse vegetation, the growth in percentage cover is likely to be sigmoidal, and, unless repetitive cover is measured, it will have an upper asymptote of 100%. If the initial cover values under different treatments or management regimes are not equal, then the different growth rates due to the unequal starting values will be confounded with the different treatments.A family of suitable growth curve models can be fitted to the data arising under different treatments, so that one or more of the interpretable fitted parameters of the model can be considered as "responses" to the different treatments. These responses can be analysed to compare the effects of different treatments or environmental conditions, using either parametric or non-parametric methods. The suggested approach is illustrated by application to a particular data set from the literature. The implications for the design of field studies and for the analysis of other vegetational variables are discussed.     

上海市城市化进程中热环境响应的空间评价

利用Landsat TM/ETM+ 遥感数据解译与反演得到上海市1997~2009年的土地利用/覆盖类型图及热岛强度分布图,并分析其演变趋势,引入温度-植被指数(TVX)并采用TVX空间法定量研究了以建设用地扩张、生态用地减少为特点的城市化过程引起的热环境效应.研究表明,1997~2009年,上海市人口呈现从中心城至郊区的流动趋势;热岛强度分布与城市化建设密切相关,呈现“葫芦串-葡萄串-摊大饼型”的蔓延模式;以牺牲生态用地为代价的建设用地扩张造成研究区域地表温度的上升及植被覆盖度的下降,其中林地减少所引起的热环境效应最大.研究可为城市规划决策过程中不同城市化空间的拓展情景提供其可能的环境响应结果,从而完善气候变化适应性对策,推进城市生态系统的可持续发展.     

退化喀斯特植被恢复过程中土壤酶活性特征研究

采用空间代替时间的方法,在贵州西南部花江典型喀斯特峡谷区选择裸地、草本、灌木、乔林四个植被恢复阶段作为退化植被恢复过程中不同恢复阶段。然后在一年中四个季节的每一季节分别对四个阶段样地进行取土,带回实验室风干磨细。分别用比色法测定脲酶活性,用比色法测定淀粉酶活性,用碘量滴定法测定多酚氧化酶活性。通过一年的实验结果表明,土壤酶活性随植被恢复过程逐渐提高,即裸地阶段〈草本群落阶段〈灌木群落阶段〈乔林阶段。土壤酶在土壤中分布是根际土大于非根际土,垂直剖面上,A层总是大于B层。脲酶、淀粉酶、多酚氧化酶活性在一年中总体表现为春夏季高,冬季低的特点,具体的酶表现不尽相同。各层次酶活性季节性变化趋势相同。     

嘉陵江流域植被覆盖时空变化特征

归一化植被指数(Normal Difference Vegetation Index,NDVI)能够反映植被的繁茂程度,可用来揭示环境的演化,并且能在全球变化研究中起到“指示器”的作用。目前利用NDVI研究植被变化多集中于陕西、甘肃、新疆等地区,对嘉陵江流域的植被变化趋势及其影响因素研究很少。利用线性相关分析方法分析GIMMS NDVI数据,借助于地理信息系统软件,分析嘉陵江流域植被覆盖的时空变化规律。研究结果如下：（1）嘉陵江流域在1982～2006年植被覆盖呈微弱上升趋势,与我国其它地区一致,但增长速率大小不一样;（2）嘉陵江流域植被覆盖明显优于黄土高原、西北地区,存在明显的空间差异,南部地区小于北部地区;（3）植被变化也存在空间差异,南部地区多呈增加趋势,而北部地区多呈减少趋势;（4）嘉陵江流域植被覆盖及其变化与气候变化和人类活动均有密切关系。基于分析,发现嘉陵江流域在人类活动和气候变化的双重影响下,环境向有利的方向发展。     

京津冀地区近20年NDVI时空变化特征

健康稳定的自然生态系统是保障城市发展的重要基础.了解京津冀城镇快速发展过程中自然生态系统的变化,有助于该区域城镇绿色协调可持续发展.植被指数NDVI时空变化特征可反映地区自然生态系统状况及其演变规律.基于MOD13Q1和Landsat遥感影像数据,利用一元线性回归趋势分析法分析近20年(2000—2019年)京津冀地区...