Combining process-based models for future biomass assessment at landscape scale

International audienceWe need an integrated assessment of the bioenergy production at landscape scale for at least three main reasons: (1) it is predictable that we will soon have landscapes dedicated to bioenergy productions; (2) a number of “win–win” solutions combining several dedicated energy crops have been suggested for a better use of local climate, soil mosaic and production systems and (3) “well-to-wheels” analyses for the entire bioenergy production chain urge us to optimize the life cycle of bioenergies at large scales. In this context, we argue that the new generation of landscape models allows in silico experiments to estimate bioenergy distributions (in space and time) that are helpful for this integrated assessment of the bioenergy production. The main objective of this paper was to develop a detailed modeling methodology for this purpose. We aimed at illustrating and discussing the use of mechanistic models and their possible association to simulate future distributions of fuel biomass. We applied two separated landscape models dedicated to human-driven agricultural and climate-driven forested neighboring patches. These models were combined in the same theoretical (i.e. virtual) landscape for present as well as future scenarios by associating realistic agricultural production scenarios and B2-IPCC climate scenarios depending on the bioenergy type (crop or forest) concerned in each landscape patch. We then estimated esthetical impacts of our simulations by using 3D visualizations and a quantitative “depth” index to rank them. Results first showed that the transport cost at landscape scale was not correlated to the total biomass production, mainly due to landscape configuration constraints. Secondly, averaged index values of the four simulations were conditioned by agricultural practices, while temporal trends were conditioned by gradual climate changes. Thirdly, the most realistic simulated landscape combining intensive agricultural practices and climate change with atmospheric CO2 concentration increase corresponded to the lowest and unwanted bioenergy conversion inefficiency (the biomass production ratio over 100 years divided by the averaged transport cost) and to the most open landscape. Managing land use and land cover changes at landscape scale is probably one of the most powerful ways to mitigate negative (or magnify positive) effects of climate and human decisions on overall biomass productions

Preparing for Future Forest Fires: Emerging Technologies and Innovations

Forest fires are part of the global ecosystems occurring for a long time in earth history.  These forest fires are part of the processes which establish the ecosystems and directly influence plant species composition within the ecosystems. However, the anthropogenic effect has changed this relationship causing an increasing number of forest fires Human activities have also changed world climate and future climate is expected to increase in temperature with dire consequences on the earth environment. These changes will profoundly impact on the earth’s socio-economic and human well-being. One of the effects of higher global temperature is increasing forest fires occurrences with stronger intensities.  There is a need to develop innovation and new technologies to manage these future fires. This paper aims to review various innovations and new technologies that can be used for the whole spectrum of forest fire management, from forest fire prediction to forest restoration of burnt areas. Emerging technologies such as geospatial technologies, the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence, 5G & enhanced connectivity, the Internet of Behaviors (IoB), virtual and augmented reality, and robotics are discussed and potential applications to forest fire management are discussed. Adaptation of these technologies is vital in the effective management of future forest fires. Key words: Climate Change, Future Fires, InnovationsKebakaran hutan merupakan bagian dari ekosistem global yang terjadi sejak lama dalam sejarah bumi. Kebakaran hutan ini merupakan bagian dari proses yang membentuk ekosistem dan secara langsung mempengaruhi komposisi spesies tumbuhan di dalam ekosistem. Namun, efek antropogenik telah mengubah hubungan ini yang menyebabkan peningkatan jumlah kebakaran hutan Aktivitas manusia juga telah mengubah iklim dunia dan iklim di masa depan diperkirakan akan meningkatkan suhu dengan konsekuensi yang mengerikan pada lingkungan bumi. Perubahan ini akan sangat berdampak pada sosial ekonomi bumi dan kesejahteraan manusia. Salah satu dampak dari peningkatan suhu global adalah meningkatnya kejadian kebakaran hutan dengan intensitas yang lebih kuat. Ada kebutuhan untuk mengembangkan inovasi dan teknologi baru untuk mengelola kebakaran di masa depan ini. Tulisan ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji berbagai inovasi dan teknologi baru yang dapat digunakan untuk seluruh spektrum penanggulangan kebakaran hutan, mulai dari prediksi kebakaran hutan hingga restorasi hutan pada kawasan yang terbakar. Teknologi yang muncul seperti teknologi geospasial, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence, 5G & konektivitas yang ditingkatkan, Internet of Behaviors (IoB), virtual dan augmented reality, dan robotika dibahas dan aplikasi potensial untuk manajemen kebakaran hutan dibahas. Adaptasi teknologi ini sangat penting dalam pengelolaan kebakaran hutan yang efektif di masa depan. Kata kunci: Perubahan Iklim, Kebakaran di Masa Depan, Inovas

Training of Crisis Mappers and Map Production from Multi-sensor Data: Vernazza Case Study (Cinque Terre National Park, Italy)

This aim of paper is to presents the development of a multidisciplinary project carried out by the cooperation between Politecnico di Torino and ITHACA (Information Technology for Humanitarian Assistance, Cooperation and Action). The goal of the project was the training in geospatial data acquiring and processing for students attending Architecture and Engineering Courses, in order to start up a team of "volunteer mappers". Indeed, the project is aimed to document the environmental and built heritage subject to disaster; the purpose is to improve the capabilities of the actors involved in the activities connected in geospatial data collection, integration and sharing. The proposed area for testing the training activities is the Cinque Terre National Park, registered in the World Heritage List since 1997. The area was affected by flood on the 25th of October 2011. According to other international experiences, the group is expected to be active after emergencies in order to upgrade maps, using data acquired by typical geomatic methods and techniques such as terrestrial and aerial Lidar, close-range and aerial photogrammetry, topographic and GNSS instruments etc.; or by non conventional systems and instruments such us UAV, mobile mapping etc. The ultimate goal is to implement a WebGIS platform to share all the data collected with local authorities and the Civil Protectio

SIMULATING AND ASSESSING THE SOUTHERN PINE BEETLE SPOT GROWTH ON MANAGEMENT SCENARIOS USING GIS-BASED MODEL AND 3-D LANDSCAPE VISUALIZATION

Models for simulating southern pine beetle (SPB), Dendroctonus frontalis Zimm., population dynamics and infestation risk are quite well developed. However, most of them are not spatially explicit models. In this study, a GIS-based model, SPBSPOT, is developed for simulating SPB spot growth using ArcGIS software with ArcObject and Visual Basic for Application. SPBSPOT is built by five subroutines. Individual interfaces are developed for each of them to allow users the flexibility to specify stand situations and design management scenarios based on their individual needs. Although integrated pest management systems are currently adopted, SPB management is still challenging because of diverse land ownership, dynamic forest landscapes, and uncertainty of management strategy effects. We incorporate SPBSPOT into a three-dimensional (3-D) visualization by using the visual simulator Visual Nature Studio. 3-D landscape visualization is comprised of multi-spatial, multi-temporal, and multi-expression elements. Supplemented with geographic information system (GIS) databases, remote sensing images, and simulation models, this technique can provide a comprehensive communication medium for decision makers, scientists, and the public with diverse backgrounds on the SPB management. In chapters three and four, we generate GIS maps of possible infestations as the basis of 3-D visualizations to simulate spatial patterns of spot growth under a variety of management scenarios (i.e., thinning, stand restoration, and stand species mixture). In chapter five, SPBSPOT is used to evaluate the ecological and economic effects of salvage operations under four levels of damage severity. In chapter six, an integrated technique of GIS, historic remote sensing images, and 3-D visualization is used to construct a variety of realistic animations depicting effects following SPB infestations on different restoration scenarios (i.e., thinning and prescribed burning). The results indicate that 1) different silvicultural treatments are able to reduce the number of infested trees, but the overall impact on the affected area may not necessarily be changed, 2) thinning treatment responded best (i.e., least damage) to SPB infestation on forest restoration stands, while the thinning + burning treatment may have resulted in too much stress to increase the stand\u27s susceptibility, 3) salvage operation is not necessary for the light severity infestation, but it has critical effects for the higher severity ones. In conclusion, this well-organized GIS-based 3-D visualization can be used in the combination of complex information to enhance alternative management strategy evaluation

VGC 2023 - Unveiling the dynamic Earth with digital methods: 5th Virtual Geoscience Conference: Book of Abstracts

Conference proceedings of the 5th Virtual Geoscience Conference, 21-22 September 2023, held in Dresden. The VGC is a multidisciplinary forum for researchers in geoscience, geomatics and related disciplines to share their latest developments and applications.:Short Courses 9 Workshops Stream 1 10 Workshop Stream 2 11 Workshop Stream 3 12 Session 1 – Point Cloud Processing: Workflows, Geometry & Semantics 14 Session 2 – Visualisation, communication & Teaching 27 Session 3 – Applying Machine Learning in Geosciences 36 Session 4 – Digital Outcrop Characterisation & Analysis 49 Session 5 – Airborne & Remote Mapping 58 Session 6 – Recent Developments in Geomorphic Process and Hazard Monitoring 69 Session 7 – Applications in Hydrology & Ecology 82 Poster Contributions 9

Implementation of a virtual environment system based on geographical information system and environmental models

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 1996.Includes bibliographical references (p. 162-165).by Chen-Hsiang Yeang.M.S

Earth Observation Open Science and Innovation

geospatial analytics; social observatory; big earth data; open data; citizen science; open innovation; earth system science; crowdsourced geospatial data; citizen science; science in society; data scienc