118 research outputs found

    Remote sensing of coastal vegetation in the Netherlands and Belgium

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    Vegetation maps are frequently used in conservation planning and evaluation. Monitoring commitments, a.o. in relation to the European Habitat Directive, increase the need for efficient mapping tools. This paper explores methods of vegetation mapping with particular attention to automated classification of remotely sensed images. Characteristics of two main types of imagery are discussed, very high spatial resolution false colour images on the one hand and hyperspectral images on the other. The first type has proved its qualities for mapping of - mainly - vegetation structure in dunes and salt marshes. Hyperspectral imagery enables thematic detail but encounters more technical problems

    Ecology, management and monitoring of grey dunes in Flanders

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    Grey dunes are a priority habitat type of the European Union Habitats Directive and demand special attention for conservation and management. Knowledge of the ecology of coastal grey dunes can contribute to this policy. Dune grassland succession is initiated by fixation and driven by the complex of soil formation (humus accumulation) and vegetation development. Leaching and mobilization of CaCO3, which are important in nutrient dynamics, complicate the picture. At present, grass- and scrub encroachment greatly overrules these fine scaled soil processes and causes substantial loss of regional biodiversity. Belgium has an international responsibility in grey dune conservation because of the limited range of its characteristic vegetation, flora and fauna. As biomass removal seems essential in grassland preservation, grazing is an important management tool. Evaluation of management measures focuses on biodiversity measurements on the levels of landscape, community and specie

    Ecology, management and monitoring of grey dunes in Flanders

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    Ecology, management and monitoring of grey dunes in Flanders

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    Sand dynamics along the Belgian coast based on airborne hyperspectral data and lidar data

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    The goal of this project was to explore the possibilities of airborne hyperspectral data and airborne lidar data to study sand dynamics on the Belgian backshore and foreshore. The Belgian coast is formed by a sandy strip at the southern edge of the North Sea Basin which is commonly known as the Southern Bight. Since the beach is prone to structural and occasional erosion, it is very important to obtain a better understanding of the processes controlling it. The combination of multi-temporal hyperspectral data and lidar data provides a suitable tool for follow-up of the Belgian coastline, and sandy coastlines in general. Hyperspectral imagery generates a reflectance spectrum for each pixel in the image. The shape of this spectrum is influenced by the composition of the topsoil of the beach, being mainly the mineralogical composition and the grain size. A Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) algorithm was used to perform a supervised classification of the hyperspectral images in order to distinguish between different sand types. Digital terrain models (DTM’s) with a mean vertical accuracy of 5 cm were generated from lidar data. By differencing a DTM from September 2000 and one from September 2001 a map with sedimentation and erosion zones was generated. By combining the erosion/sedimentation map with the classified hyperspectral images, dating from August 2000 and August 2001, an appropriate and cost-effective method was found for studying the processes of sand transport along the Belgian coastline

    VLIZ Young Scientists' Day, Brugge, Belgium 25 February 2005: book of abstracts

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    The Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) supports marine scientific research in Flanders. VLIZ offers logistic support, promotes expertise internationally, and serves as an interface between the scientific community, governmental bodies, and the public at large. VLIZ wants to give exposure to marine, coastal and estuarine research in Flanders, whereby coordination and dissemination of information play key roles. Marine research in Flanders is carried out by the six Flemish universities, research institutes and departments of the Flemish and federal authorities, and to a lesser extent by private enterprises. The major broad disciplines covered are: biology, earth sciences, chemistry, physics, aquaculture and fisheries, engineering, and maritime affairs. Annually, VLIZ bundles the scientific contributions of the Flemish marine researchers in the ‘VLIZ Collected Reprints’. VLIZ increases the visibility of marine research in Flanders by producing publications, organizing symposia and granting scientific awards. On Friday, 25 February 2005, the fifth ‘VLIZ Young Scientists’ Day’ (161 pre-registered participants) was organized in Provinciehuis Boeverbos, Sint-Andries (Brugge), Belgium.This ‘VLIZ Special Publication 20’ comprises the abstracts of the oral, poster and demo presentations as well as the summaries submitted by the laureates and applicants of the VLIZ aanmoedigingsprijzen mariene wetenschappen 2004’ and ‘Annual VLIZ North Sea Award 2004’
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