Monitoring the defoliation of hardwood forests in Pennsylvania using LANDSAT

An automated system for conducting annual gypsy moth defoliation surveys using LANDSAT MSS data and digital processing techniques is described. A two-step preprocessing procedure was developed that uses multitemporal data sets representing forest canopy conditions before and after defoliation to create a digital image in which all nonforest cover types are eliminated or masked out of a LANDSAT image that exhibits insect defoliation. A temporal window for defoliation assessment was identified and a statewide data base was established. A data management system to interface image analysis software with the statewide data base was developed and a cost benefit analysis of this operational system was conducted

FIREX mission requirements document for renewable resources

The initial experimental program and mission requirements for a satellite synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system FIREX (Free-Flying Imaging Radar Experiment) for renewable resources is described. The spacecraft SAR is a C-band and L-band VV polarized system operating at two angles of incidence which is designated as a research instrument for crop identification, crop canopy condition assessments, soil moisture condition estimation, forestry type and condition assessments, snow water equivalent and snow wetness assessments, wetland and coastal land type identification and mapping, flood extent mapping, and assessment of drainage characteristics of watersheds for water resources applications. Specific mission design issues such as the preferred incidence angles for vegetation canopy measurements and the utility of a dual frequency (L and C-band) or dual polarization system as compared to the baseline system are addressed

NASA Earth Resources Survey Symposium. Volume 3: Summary reports

This document contains the proceedings and summaries of the earth resources survey symposium, sponsored by the NASA Headquarters Office of Applications and held in Houston, Texas, June 9 to 12, 1975. Topics include the use of remote sensing techniques in agriculture, in geology, for environmental monitoring, for land use planning, and for management of water resources and coastal zones. Details are provided about services available to various users. Significant applications, conclusions, and future needs are also discussed

Monitoring forest canopy alteration around the world with digital analysis of LANDSAT imagery

There are no author-identified significant results in this report

Detecting and evaluating land cover change in the eastern half of East Timor (1972-2011)

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geospatial Technologies.Land use / land cover (LULC) change detection based on remote sensing (RS) data is an important source of information for various decision support systems. In East Timor where forest plays a key role in sustaining communities’ livelihoods the information derived from LULC change detection is invaluable to the conservation, sustainable development and management of forest resources. To assess the patterns of land cover change, as a result of complex socio-economic factors, satellite imagery and image processing techniques can be useful. This study is concerned with identifying change in land use and land cover types in East Timor between 1972 and 2011, using satellite images from Landsat MSS, TM and ETM+ sensors. Seven major cover types were identified in this study including forest, mixed rangeland, grassland, farmland, built-up areas, bare soil and water. A combination of NDVI differencing, supervised and unsupervised classification was used to derive final classification maps. Due to the lack of ground truth data, further processing were performed to improve the final classification maps by applying rationality change test. Post-classification comparison change detection technique was used to assess categorical changes between 1972 and 2011. The results highlight a significant level of deforestation due to uncontrolled illegal logging and increase in farmland, built-up areas, as well as bare soil. This decline has had considerable impact on the livelihoods of rural communities. As the new nation of Timor-Leste establishes itself, it must consider its current stock and distribution of natural resources to ensure that development efforts are geared towards sustainable outcomes. Without this information historical patterns of resource consumption, development efforts may, unwittingly, lead to continuing decline in forest resources

A regional land use survey based on remote sensing and other data: A report on a LANDSAT and computer mapping project, volume 2

The author has identified the following significant results. The project mapped land use/cover classifications from LANDSAT computer compatible tape data and combined those results with other multisource data via computer mapping/compositing techniques to analyze various land use planning/natural resource management problems. Data were analyzed on 1:24,000 scale maps at 1.1 acre resolution. LANDSAT analysis software and linkages with other computer mapping software were developed. Significant results were also achieved in training, communication, and identification of needs for developing the LANDSAT/computer mapping technologies into operational tools for use by decision makers

Terrestrial applications: An intelligent Earth-sensing information system

For Abstract see A82-2214

Use of ERTS-1 data: Summary report of work on ten tasks

The author has identified the following significant results. Depth mapping's for a portion of Lake Michigan and at the Little Bahama Bank test site have been verified by use of navigation charts and on-site visits. A thirteen category recognition map of Yellowstone Park has been prepared. Model calculation of atmospheric effects for various altitudes have been prepared. Radar, SLAR, and ERTS-1 data for flooded areas of Monroe County, Michigan are being studied. Water bodies can be reliably recognized and mapped using maximum likelihood processing of ERTS-1 digital data. Wetland mapping has been accomplished by slicing of single band and/or ratio processing of two bands for a single observation date. Both analog and digital processing have been used to map the Lake Ontario basin using ERTS-1 data. Operating characteristic curves were developed for the proportion estimation algorithm to determine its performance in the measurement of surface water area. The signal in band MSS-5 was related to sediment content of waters by modelling approach and by relating surface measurements of water to processed ERTS data. Radiance anomalies in ERTS-1 data could be associated with the presence of oil on water in San Francisco Bay, but the anomalies were of the same order as those caused by variations in sediment concentration and tidal flushing

A methodology for determining optimum microwave remote sensor parameters

There are no author-identified significant results in this report