Landscape metrics and indices : an overview of their use in landscape research

The aim of this overview paper is to analyze the use of various landscape metrics and landscape indices for the characterization of landscape structure and various processes at both landscape and ecosystem level. We analyzed the appearance of the terms landscape metrics/indexes/indices in combination with seven main categories in the field of landscape ecology [1) use/selection and misuse of metrics, 2) biodiversity and habitat analysis; 3) water quality; 4) evaluation of the landscape pattern and its change; 5) urban landscape pattern, road network; 6) aesthetics of landscape; 7) management, planning and monitoring] in the titles, abstracts and/or key words of research papers published in international peer-reviewed scientific journals indexed by the Institute of Science Information (ISI) Web of Science (WoS) from 1994 to October 2008. Most of the landscape metrics and indices are used concerning biodiversity and habitat analysis, and also the evaluation of landscape pattern and its change (up to 25 articles per year). There are only a few articles on the relationships of landscape metrics/indices/indexes to social aspects and landscape perception

Hydrologic modeling using triangulated irregular networks : terrain representation, flood forecasting and catchment response

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2003.Includes bibliographical references.Numerical models are modern tools for capturing the spatial and temporal variability in the land-surface hydrologic response to rainfall and understanding the physical relations between internal watershed processes and observed streamflow. This thesis presents the development and application of a distributed hydrologic model distinguished by its representation of topography through a triangulated irregular network (TIN) and its coupling of the surface and subsurface processes leading to the catchment response. As a research tool for hydrologic forecasting and experimentation, the TIN-based Real-time Integrated Basin Simulator (tRIBS) fully incorporates spatial heterogeneities in basin topography, surface descriptors and hydrometeorological forcing to produce dynamic maps of hydrologic states and fluxes. These capabilities allow investigation of theoretical questions and practical problems in hydrologic science and water resources engineering. Three related themes are developed in this thesis. First, a set of methods are developed for constructing TIN topographic models from raster digital elevation models (DEM) for hydrologic and geomorphic applications. A new approach for representing a steady-state estimate of a particular watershed process within the physical mesh is introduced. Hydrologic comparisons utilizing different terrain models are made to investigate the suitable level of detail required for capturing process dynamics accurately. Second, the TIN-based model is utilized in conjunction with a rainfall forecasting algorithm to assess the space-time flood predictability. For two hydrometeorological case studies, the forecast skill is assessed as a function of rainfall forecast lead time, catchment scale and the spatial variability in the quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPF). Third, the surface and subsurface runoff response in a complex basin is investigated with respect to changes in storm properties and the initial water table position.The partitioning of rainfall into runoff production mechanisms is found to be a causative factor in the nonlinearity and scale-dependence observed in the basin hydrograph response. The model applications presented in this thesis highlight the advantages of TIN- based modeling for hydrologic forecasting and process-oriented studies over complex terrain. In particular, the multi-resolution and multi-scale capabilities are encouraging for a range of applied and scientific problems in catchment hydrology.by Enrique R. Vivoni.Ph.D

A unified approach for process-based hydrologic modeling: 1. Modeling concept

This work advances a unified approach to process-based hydrologic modeling to enable controlled and systematic evaluation of multiple model representations (hypotheses) of hydrologic processes and scaling behavior. Our approach, which we term the Structure for Unifying Multiple Modeling Alternatives (SUMMA), formulates a general set of conservation equations, providing the flexibility to experiment with different spatial representations, different flux parameterizations, different model parameter values, and different time stepping schemes. In this paper, we introduce the general approach used in SUMMA, detailing the spatial organization and model simplifications, and how different representations of multiple physical processes can be combined within a single modeling framework. We discuss how SUMMA can be used to systematically pursue the method of multiple working hypotheses in hydrology. In particular, we discuss how SUMMA can help tackle major hydrologic modeling challenges, including defining the appropriate complexity of a model, selecting among competing flux parameterizations, representing spatial variability across a hierarchy of scales, identifying potential improvements in computational efficiency and numerical accuracy as part of the numerical solver, and improving understanding of the various sources of model uncertainty.Keywords: unified model, hydrometeorology, scaling behavio

Estonia. Geographical studies. 10

http://www.ester.ee/record=b2399309*es

Multi-scale analysis of urban wetland changes using satellite remote sensing techniques

Title from PDF of title page, viewed on January 10, 2012Dissertation advisor: Wei JiVitaIncludes bibliographic references (p.146-157)Thesis (Ph.D.)--Dept of Geosciences and School of Computing and Engineering. University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2011This study investigates urban wetland-cover changes in the Kansas City metropolitan area with analyses at various spatial and temporal scales. Not many studies fully addressed multi-scale urban wetland-cover dynamics in both the temporal and spatial dimension. The objective was to understand how major driving factors - human disturbances and climate variation - impacted urban wetlands as determined by the scale effects of observing land-cover changes. To address this objective, multi-year and multi-season SPOT satellite images were acquired and digitally classified to generate wetland and related land-cover data over various temporal ranges. To detect long term changes of urban wetland, the study examined the landscape changes between 1992 and 2008. Furthermore, for a short term analysis over a period between 2008 and 2010, the study analyzed seasonal land-cover variation among the autumn, spring, and summer. These multi-temporal land-cover data were analyzed at various spatial scales - the metropolitan region, watersheds, sub-watersheds, specific wetland areas, and particular urban development zones. The results show that over the 16-year period, both wetland and impervious surfaces gained in area at the metropolitan level. However, the wetland change patterns were varied at other spatial scales of analysis, which were related to the dominant site-specific development activities. Further, the wetland change patterns differed if large surface water bodies (> 8ha) were excluded from the class of wetlands. The study also revealed that the seasonal change patterns of urban wetlands were likely correlated with short term precipitation conditions; but this effect may be varied depending on sampling area sizes. The study suggests that the effects of spatial and temporal scales should be considered in remote sensing detection of urban wetlands as they influence the interpretation of remotely sensed land-cover changes and correlation of driving factors. In conclusion, understanding the complex human-climate coupling factors affecting urban wetland-cover requires a multi-scale and multi-faceted analysis.Introduction -- Literature review -- Methodology -- Remote sensing analysis -- Quantifying land cover data using geospatial modelling -- Discussion and conclusion -- Appendix A. Lake inflows: historical and actual -- Appendix B. Source code for the geo-processing model -- Appendix C. Precipitation received before a satellite imaging dates -- Surface water cover analysis at Kansas City Metropolitan, watershed and sub-watershed scale

Forest landscapes and global change. New frontiers in management, conservation and restoration. Proceedings of the IUFRO Landscape Ecology Working Group International Conference

This volume contains the contributions of numerous participants at the IUFRO Landscape Ecology Working Group International Conference, which took place in Bragança, Portugal, from 21 to 24 of September 2010. The conference was dedicated to the theme Forest Landscapes and Global Change - New Frontiers in Management, Conservation and Restoration. The 128 papers included in this book follow the structure and topics of the conference. Sections 1 to 8 include papers relative to presentations in 18 thematic oral and two poster sessions. Section 9 is devoted to a wide-range of landscape ecology fields covered in the 12 symposia of the conference. The Proceedings of the IUFRO Landscape Ecology Working Group International Conference register the growth of scientific interest in forest landscape patterns and processes, and the recognition of the role of landscape ecology in the advancement of science and management, particularly within the context of emerging physical, social and political drivers of change, which influence forest systems and the services they provide. We believe that these papers, together with the presentations and debate which took place during the IUFRO Landscape Ecology Working Group International Conference – Bragança 2010, will definitively contribute to the advancement of landscape ecology and science in general. For their additional effort and commitment, we thank all the participants in the conference for leaving this record of their work, thoughts and science