Cereal yield modeling in Finland using optical and radar remote sensing : Special Issue Global Croplands

Peer reviewe

Flood Extent Mapping During Hurricane Florence With Repeat-Pass L-Band UAVSAR Images

Extreme precipitation events are intensifying due to a warming climate, which, in some cases, is leading to increases in flooding. Detection of flood extent is essential for flood disaster response, management, and prevention. However, it is challenging to delineate inundated areas through most publicly available optical and short-wavelength radar data, as neither can “see” through dense forest canopies. In 2018, Hurricane Florence produced heavy rainfall and subsequent record-setting riverine flooding in North Carolina, USA. NASA/JPL collected daily high-resolution full-polarized L-band Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR) data between September 18th and 23rd. Here, we use UAVSAR data to construct a flood inundation detection framework through a combination of polarimetric decomposition methods and a Random Forest classifier. Validation of the established models with compiled ground references shows that the incorporation of linear polarizations with polarimetric decomposition and terrain variables significantly enhances the accuracy of inundation classification, and the Kappa statistic increases to 91.4% from 64.3% with linear polarizations alone. We show that floods receded faster near the upper reaches of the Neuse, Cape Fear, and Lumbee Rivers. Meanwhile, along the flat terrain close to the lower reaches of the Cape Fear River, the flood wave traveled downstream during the observation period, resulting in the flood extent expanding 16.1% during the observation period. In addition to revealing flood inundation changes spatially, flood maps such as those produced here have great potential for assessing flood damages, supporting disaster relief, and assisting hydrodynamic modeling to achieve flood-resilience goals

Analysis of capsinoids in Galician pepper cultivars and characterization of their properties for plant protection

Programa Oficial de Doutoramento en Bioloxía Celular e Molecular . 5004V01[Abstract] The content in capsaicinoids and capsinoids was analysed in several Galician pepper cultivars. No capsinoids were detected, but capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin were measured in cultivars Padrón and Mougán. The antimicrobial activity of a capsinoid (vanillyl nonanoate) and its precursors were tested; the capsinoid inhibited Phytophthora capsici spore germination. On the other hand, vanillyl nonanoate protects pepper plants against Botrytis cinerea and Phytophthora capsici through induced resistance. Vanillyl nonanoate induces resistance systemically in both pepper and Arabidopsis plants. The observed induced resistance involves cell wall reinforcement with an increase in lignin as well as other defences as PR proteins in both plant species. Signalling of the vanillyl nanoate systemic response is mediated by hydrogen peroxide, salicylic acid, ethylene and jasmonates in the case of pepper, and salicylic acid and jasmonates in the case of Arabidopsis. Changes in the levels of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid were also detected in pepper and a role for this compound in resistance is discussed.[Resumen] Se analizó el contenido en capsicinoides y capsinoides en varios cultivares de pimiento de Galicia. No se detectaron capsinoides, pero se midieron capsicina y dihidrocapsicina en los cultivares Padrón y Mougán. Se ensayó la actividad antimicrobiana de un capsinoide (el vanillil nonanoato) y de sus precursores; el capsinoide inhibió la germinación de esporas de Phytophthora capsici. Por otro lado, se demostró que el vanillil nonanoato tiene la capacidad de conferir protección local en pimiento frente a Botrytis cinerea y Phytophthora capsici, obteniendo evidencias de que su modo de acción es la resistencia inducida. También se demostró la sistemicidad de la resistencia inducida por este compuesto, tanto en plantas de pimiento como en Arabidopsis. La resistencia inducida observada implica el reforzamiento de la pared celular con lignina y el incremento de varias defensas de tipo bioquímico como las proteínas PR en ambas especies. La señalización de la respuesta sistémica al vanillil nonanoato está mediada por peróxido de hidrógeno, ácido salicílico, etileno y jasmonatos en el caso de pimiento y ácido salicílico y jasmonatos en el caso de Arabidopsis. Asimismo, se detectaron cambios en los niveles de ácido 4-hidroxibenzoico en pimiento y se ha discutido su papel en la resistencia.[Resumo] Analizouse o contido en capsicinoides e capsinoides en varios cultivares de pemento de Galicia. Non se detectaron capsinoides, pero se mediron capsicina e dihidrocapsicina nos cultivares Padrón e Mougán. Ensaiouse a actividade antimicrobiana dun capsinoide (o vanillil nonanoato) e dos seus precursores; o capsinoide inhibiu a xerminación de esporas de Phytophthora capsici. Por outra banda, demostrouse que o vanillil nonanoato ten a capacidade de conferir protección local en pemento fronte a Botrytis cinerea e Phytophthora capsici, obtendo evidencias de que o seu modo de acción é a resistencia inducida. Tamén se demostrou a sistemicidade da resistencia inducida por este composto, tanto en plantas de pemento como en Arabidopsis. A resistencia inducida observada implica o reforzamento da parede celular con lignina e o incremento de varias defensas de tipo bioquímico como as proteínas PR en ambas especies. A sinalización da resposta sistémica ao vanillil nonanoato está mediada por peróxido de hidróxeno, ácido salicílico, etileno e xasmonatos no caso do pemento e ácido salicílico e xasmonatos no caso de Arabidopsis. Así mesmo, detectáronse cambios nos niveles de ácido 4- hidroxibenzoico en pemento e se discutiu o seu papel na resistencia

Plant Hormones

Plant hormones are among the most essential biochemicals found in plants. Since Charles and Francis Darwin identified auxin action, several plant hormones have been discovered. These small signaling molecules regulate not only developmental and growth activities, but also stress responses throughout the plant’s life cycle. This book discusses recent advances, new perspectives, and applications of plant hormones. It is a useful resource for academics, scientists, students, and industry professionals

Land Use and Land Cover Mapping in a Changing World

It is increasingly being recognized that land use and land cover changes driven by anthropogenic pressures are impacting terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and their services, human society, and human livelihoods and well-being. This Special Issue contains 12 original papers covering various issues related to land use and land use changes in various parts of the world (see references), with the purpose of providing a forum to exchange ideas and progress in related areas. Research topics include land use targets, dynamic modelling and mapping using satellite images, pressures from energy production, deforestation, impacts on ecosystem services, aboveground biomass evaluation, and investigations on libraries of legends and classification systems

Land Use and Land Cover Mapping in a Changing World

It is increasingly being recognized that land use and land cover changes driven by anthropogenic pressures are impacting terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and their services, human society, and human livelihoods and well-being. This Special Issue contains 12 original papers covering various issues related to land use and land use changes in various parts of the world (see references), with the purpose of providing a forum to exchange ideas and progress in related areas. Research topics include land use targets, dynamic modelling and mapping using satellite images, pressures from energy production, deforestation, impacts on ecosystem services, aboveground biomass evaluation, and investigations on libraries of legends and classification systems

Retrogressive thaw slumps and active layer detachment slides in the Brooks Range and foothills of northern Alaska: terrain and timing

Thesis (Ph.D.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2015Permafrost degradation is widespread throughout the circumpolar north, occurring by multiple modes and mechanisms on many types of landscapes. The pan-Arctic rate of permafrost degradation is reportedly increasing, and permafrost carbon and nitrogen release are likely to be major contributors to global atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations in coming decades. Locally, liberation of previously frozen substrates, organic materials, and nutrients alters the ecology of receiving streams, causes ecological and hydrobiogeochemical impacts in lake ecosystems, and impacts vegetation through disturbance, nutrient release, and succession on altered surfaces. Understanding the diverse modes of permafrost landscape response to climate, within time and space, is critical to questions of future impacts and feedbacks to climate change. Active layer detachment sliding and retrogressive thaw slumping are important modes of upland permafrost degradation and disturbance throughout the low arctic, and have been linked with climate warming trends, ecosystem impacts, and permafrost carbon release. In the Brooks Range and foothills study region of northwest Alaska, active layer detachment slides and retrogressive thaw slumps are widespread and prominant modes of permafrost degradation. Their distribution has been partially correlated with landscape properties, especially upper permafrost characteristics. However, drivers of active layer detachment slide and retrogressive thaw slump distribution and initiation triggering mechanisms, are poorly understood in this region, and detailed spatial distribution of permafrost characteristics is particularly lacking for the entire area. To better understand retrogressive thaw slump initiation triggers, this research used archived ERS-1 synthetic aperture RADAR data (1997-2010) to determine the year of first detection for 21 active retrogressive thaw slumps in the Noatak Basin, and examined weather records from remote and regional weather stations (1992-2011), along with satellite image-derived seasonal snowpack distribution (2000-2012) for correlations among weather, snowpack duration, and the timing of retrogressive thaw slump initiation. Most slumps first appeared within a 13 month span beginning June of 2004. Early summer 2004 was distinct in the weather records for anomalously warm early thaw-season temperatures, intense rainfall events in May, and unusually early dissipation of the annual snowpack. Results suggest that, regionally, retrogressive thaw slump initiation may be clustered in time, in response to seasonal shifts or anomalous weather events, and that future landscape response to climate change may depend on the nature and timing of climate change as much as overall magnitude. SS_para>The project examined inter-related and co-varying terrain properties at specific sites to identify relationships among terrain properties and permafrost characteristics. Consistent relationships among vegetation, surficial geology and permafrost characteristics were found using multiple factor analysis ordination of empirical data from diverse field sites throughout the region. Ordination results suggest relevant relationships among these factors to support regional-scale spatial analysis of terrain and permafrost properties. Field sites were also found to form consistent groupings from hierarchical clustering of ordination results, suggesting that relationships among these factors remain relevant across diverse gradients of landscape conditions in the region. Several thousand observed feature locations of active layer detachment slides and retrogressive thaw slumps were then used to examine region-wide terrain suitability based on terrain properties including: surficial geology, topography, geomorphology, vegetation and hydrology. Structural equation modeling and integrated terrain unit analyses confirmed and identified the nature and relative strength of relationships among terrain factors explaining observed feature distribution. These results may partially correspond with permafrost ground ice conditions as well, which is further supported by our ordination results. Analysis results drove mapped estimates of terrain suitability for active layer detachment slides and retrogressive thaw slumps across the region, enabling better estimates of permafrost carbon vulnerable to release, and ecosystems potentially impacted by these modes of permafrost degradation. Up to 57% of the study region may contain 'suitable' terrain for one or both of these features. Results support a 'state factor' approach as a useful organizing framework for assessing and describing terrain suitability, and for examining drivers of permafrost characteristics

Advances in Remote Sensing and GIS applications in Forest Fire Management: from local to global assessments

This report contains the proceedings of the 8th International Workshop of the European Association of Remote Sensing Laboratories (EARSeL) Special Interest Group on Forest Fires, that took place in Stresa, (Italy) on 20-21 October 2011. The main subject of the workshop was the operational use of remote sensing in forest fire management and different spatial scales were addressed, from local to regional and from national to global. Topics of the workshops were also grouped according to the fire management stage considered for the application of remote sensing techniques, addressing pre fire, during fire or post fire conditions.JRC.H.7-Land management and natural hazard