The use of ORFEO ToolBox in the context of map updating

This paper presents experiments with the ORFEO ToolBox (OTB) developed by the CNES in the context of the Brussels project ARMURS about map updating. Depending on the availability of required functionalities, the project either considered the use of OTB or the development of proprietary or open source code. Since the project includes the development of a demonstrator for map updating from image analysis, the different aspects of data format, image processing for remote sensing and graphical interface are key points for the success of the system integration. As OTB addresses these topics, remains opened for extensions and is available as a freeware, it has been envisaged as a possible basic component.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Very High Resolution (VHR) Satellite Imagery: Processing and Applications

Recently, growing interest in the use of remote sensing imagery has appeared to provide synoptic maps of water quality parameters in coastal and inner water ecosystems;, monitoring of complex land ecosystems for biodiversity conservation; precision agriculture for the management of soils, crops, and pests; urban planning; disaster monitoring, etc. However, for these maps to achieve their full potential, it is important to engage in periodic monitoring and analysis of multi-temporal changes. In this context, very high resolution (VHR) satellite-based optical, infrared, and radar imaging instruments provide reliable information to implement spatially-based conservation actions. Moreover, they enable observations of parameters of our environment at greater broader spatial and finer temporal scales than those allowed through field observation alone. In this sense, recent very high resolution satellite technologies and image processing algorithms present the opportunity to develop quantitative techniques that have the potential to improve upon traditional techniques in terms of cost, mapping fidelity, and objectivity. Typical applications include multi-temporal classification, recognition and tracking of specific patterns, multisensor data fusion, analysis of land/marine ecosystem processes and environment monitoring, etc. This book aims to collect new developments, methodologies, and applications of very high resolution satellite data for remote sensing. The works selected provide to the research community the most recent advances on all aspects of VHR satellite remote sensing

Sensing Mountains

Sensing mountains by close-range and remote techniques is a challenging task. The 4th edition of the international Innsbruck Summer School of Alpine Research 2022 – Close-range Sensing Techniques in Alpine Terrain brings together early career and experienced scientists from technical-, geo- and environmental-related research fields. The interdisciplinary setting of the summer school creates a creative space for exchanging and learning new concepts and solutions for mapping, monitoring and quantifying mountain environments under ongoing conditions of change

Efficient and robust numerical modelling of masonry

Ph. D. Thesis.Masonry structures constitute a sizeable portion of the built environment, yet the prediction of their structural behaviour remains an extremely complicated task. Despite the advances in structural engineering, safety assessment methods of masonry lag far behind those of modern materials such as steel and reinforced concrete. High-level numerical methods such as the Discrete Element Method (DEM) are the most advanced and effective tools available for modelling the complex structural behaviour of masonry, yet their robustness depends on the accuracy of the geometric and mechanical properties employed. Although abundant work exists for reliably obtaining and representing material properties, methodical strategies lack for the case of geometric properties, which renders such high-level numerical modelling either inefficient or inaccurate. This research develops a methodological framework for the geometrically-accurate and efficient high-level numerical modelling of masonry structures through the employment of non-contact sensing techniques and automation. The framework is holistic, encompassing three stages of structural surveying, geometric model development and structural analysis. The first stage entails structural surveying of the masonry structure with non-contact sensing techniques such as terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry. The second stage encompasses the utilisation of geometrical data (discrete points, orthoimages and point clouds) and computer vision geometric model development. The final stage of the framework consists of numerical model development and structural analysis with the DEM. With the specific numerical method, each block and joint are represented as a distinct entity, achieving a more faithful representation of the discontinuous nature of masonry than other state-of-the-art numerical methods, and thus permitting both the accurate and efficient prediction of the in-service and collapse behaviour the analysed structure. Three main approaches stem from the framework which are implemented on both regular and rubble masonry structures. Firstly, the manual image-based approach is implemented on 25 arch specimens. This approach entails structural analysis of geometric models developed from an orthomosaic of SfM photogrammetry with manual CAD-based block segmentation. By comparing the manual CAD-based geometric models with those of traditional geospatial techniques (i.e. tape measurements), significant differences in: a) collapse load (-1 to 10%); b) stiffness (-2 to 46%); and c) normal forces (-15 to 22%) were found, demonstrating the importance of employing accurate geometric models. Thereafter, the semi-automated image-based approach is implemented on the same 25 arch specimens. Conversely to the previous approach, structural analysis is now semi-automated, incorporating both SfM photogrammetry and image processing techniques (IPTs). By comparing IPT- and manual CAD-based geometric models, a relatively good agreement was found of collapse load, with differences of up to 7%. Stiffnesses, however, showed partial agreement, with differences of up to 7% for 10 specimens and 24% for 15 specimens). These findings, demonstrate both the potential efficiency and robustness of the framework. Finally, the cloud-based approach is implemented on Caerphilly Castle. This entails semi-automated structural analysis, highly irregular of rubble with structures through TLS and voxelization. For a course voxel size of 50 cm, an unprecedented DEM structural analysis of a full-scale masonry tower was achieved in an affordable time of 71 minutes. Therefore, this thesis ultimately paves the way for improving the efficiency and robustness of the structural analysis of masonry structures.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC

New strategies to study and control plant diseases and their application to Kiwifruit Decline

openIn 2012, leaf scorches, wilting, sudden defoliation and dieback symptoms were observed for the first time on several kiwifruit plants in orchards located in Veneto (Northeast of Italy). Diseased plants were also characterised by a heavily compromised root system with none or very few feeding roots, rotting tissues on smaller roots and lack of cohesion between the external cylinder and the core. In relation to these symptoms the new disease was named Kiwifruit Decline (KD). KD rapidly spread in all the most important Italian growing areas and probably up to date is the most concerning phyto-pathological issue for kiwifruit growers. With the main aim to determine KD aetiology and to identify the epidemiological pattern of this disease outbreaks, canonical strategies and new technologies were integrated in an interdisciplinary approach. The work started with the definition of a conceptual framework on the symptoms observed in the field and with the reconstruction of the history of the disease based on the farmers’ experiences. These evidences were used as first-hand source of information and integrated with the experiences gathered by other Italian research groups to hypothesize the etiological causes most probably involved in the disease. From this analysis waterlogging and soil-borne pathogens emerged as the two most probable factors involved in the disease, although their role in the disease was still unknown. Therefore, the following step was the setup of a canonical experimental trial, where the effect of the two most probable etiological causes were compared under controlled conditions. The trial gave unequivocal results clearly stating the necessary interaction between waterlogging and soil borne pathogens to incite the disease. Furthermore, axenic isolation starting from plants that became diseased during this trial, allowed to have a first insight on soil-borne microorganisms potentially involved in the disease, suggesting that one or more pathogens (most probably Oomycetes) might be involved in the disease. Given these results a pathogenicity test was set up and confirmed that Phytopythium vexans was able to induce KD symptoms in both canopy and roots of kiwifruit plants. Once the role of a biotic factor was demonstrated, the studies moved back to the field focusing mostly on remote sensing technologies able to infer the physiological traits of the plants. Thermal and multispectral imagery acquired over a diseased field and classified with unsupervised clustering algorithms allowed to efficiently distinguish asymptomatic from symptomatic plants and to predict, one year in advance, the disease outbreak. Since the involvement of one or more potential soil-borne pathogens was proposed, a metabarcoding study was performed to have a first insight on fungal and oomycete communities associated with KD. Interestingly, Phytopythium vexans not only was found with a low relative abundance within diseased samples, but it was also recorded in healthy samples suggesting that the asymptomatic state of the plants is most probably linked to the environmental conditions averse to the development of the pathogens. Metabarcoding analysis also suggested Phytophthora sojae and Ilyonectria macrodidyma as new potential pathogen candidates. Results from this thesis provided several breakthroughs regarding the KD syndrome and defined the starting point for future studies. Indeed, not only the disease is now clearly associated to a combination of waterlogging conditions and soil-borne pathogens, but also a standardized protocol was setup to reproduce the disease. Moreover, new tools for in-field early disease detection are proposed and the first overview of fungal and oomycete community associated to KD is given for both root endosphere and rhizosphere compartments.Dottorato di ricerca in Scienze e biotecnologie agrarieopenSavian, Francesc

Advanced Geoscience Remote Sensing

Nowadays, advanced remote sensing technology plays tremendous roles to build a quantitative and comprehensive understanding of how the Earth system operates. The advanced remote sensing technology is also used widely to monitor and survey the natural disasters and man-made pollution. Besides, telecommunication is considered as precise advanced remote sensing technology tool. Indeed precise usages of remote sensing and telecommunication without a comprehensive understanding of mathematics and physics. This book has three parts (i) microwave remote sensing applications, (ii) nuclear, geophysics and telecommunication; and (iii) environment remote sensing investigations

Proceedings Of The 18th Annual Meeting Of The Asia Oceania Geosciences Society (Aogs 2021)

The 18th Annual Meeting of the Asia Oceania Geosciences Society (AOGS 2021) was held from 1st to 6th August 2021. This proceedings volume includes selected extended abstracts from a challenging array of presentations at this conference. The AOGS Annual Meeting is a leading venue for professional interaction among researchers and practitioners, covering diverse disciplines of geosciences

UAVs for the Environmental Sciences

This book gives an overview of the usage of UAVs in environmental sciences covering technical basics, data acquisition with different sensors, data processing schemes and illustrating various examples of application