Characterizing beach changes using high-frequency Sentinel-2 derived shorelines on the Valencian coast (Spanish Mediterranean)

[EN] Shoreline position can be efficiently extracted with subpixel accuracy frommid-resolution satellite imagery using tools as SHOREX. However, it is necessary to develop procedures for deriving descriptors of the beach morphology and its changes in order to become truly useful data for characterizing the coastal dynamism. A new approach is proposed based on a spatiotemporal model of the beach widths. Divided into 80 m analysis segments, it offers a robust and detailed characterization of the beach state along large micro-tidal regions, with continuous information through time and space. Geographical and temporal differences can be recognized andmeasured, making it possible to study the beach response both to general factors (as wave conditions) and to punctual anthropic actions (as small sand nourishments). Widths were defined throughout two and a half years from 60 shorelines (3.04 m RMSE) covering 50 km of the Gulf of Valencia. Important width contrasts appeared along the study site associated with sediment imbalances motivated by sediment traps and other anthropic actions. Segments too narrow for maintaining the recreational function were located and mapped (16% narrower than 30 m). Short-term width changes appeared linked to storm events, with fast retreatments and slow recoveries. Punctually, even small-magnitude nourishments created perceptible changes in width (12,830 m(3) were associated with a 4 m increase). This novel description of the beach state and its changes from Satellite-Derived Shorelines is useful for coastal management, especially considering the global coverage of these free satellite images. It may improve the comprehension of coastal processes as well as monitor human interventions on the coast, helping in the decision making. (c) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.This study is supported by the contract of C. Cabezas-Rabadan (FPU15/04501) from the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports, and by the project RESETOCOAST (CGL2015-69906-R) from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness.Cabezas-Rabadán, C.; Pardo Pascual, JE.; Palomar-Vázquez, J.; Fernández-Sarría, A. (2019). Characterizing beach changes using high-frequency Sentinel-2 derived shorelines on the Valencian coast (Spanish Mediterranean). The Science of The Total Environment. 691:216-231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.07.084S21623169

Prediction models for estimating pruned biomass obtained from Platanus hispanica Münchh. used for material surveys in urban forests

The amount of urban biomass waste derived from pruning operations represents a potential source of bioenergy little studied or considered in local bio-economies. This research focused on direct quantification of lignocellulosic residual biomass yielded during tree pruning, characterization of basic tree parameters and development of indirect biomass prediction models. Sample individuals of 30 Platanus hispanica Munchh. with mean diameter at breast height 23.56 cm, crown diameter 8.44 m, crown base height 3.76 m, and total height 11.57 m were examined. Wood formed 43.34% of pruned biomass before the drying process and wood moisture content in wet basis reached 40.16%. Mean quantity of dry biomass obtained per tree was 23.98 kg and standard deviation was 15.16 kg. Allometric relationships were analyzed. Significant coefficients of determination were observed for dry biomass and diameter at breast height (R-2 = 0.87), as well as for dry biomass and conical and parabolic crown volume (R-2 = 0.78). The best result (R-2 = 0.93) was obtained from a multiple regression model with several explicative variables. Indirect biomass prediction equations and characteristics of yielded residuals derived from this research can be useful for biomass planning and management purposes. These equations can be implemented for urban inventories, and the application of logistic models. The significance of this topic is beyond doubt for urban environment, especially for the possibilities of reducing carbon dioxide emissions and perspectives of biomass utilization as a biofuel. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Sajdak, M.; Velázquez Martí, B.; López Cortés, I.; Fernández Sarriá, A.; Estornell Cremades, J. (2014). Prediction models for estimating pruned biomass obtained from Platanus hispanica Münchh. used for material surveys in urban forests. Renewable Energy. 66:178-184. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2013.12.005S1781846

Data Mining Paradigm in the Study of Air Quality

Air pollution is a serious global problem that threatens human life and health, as well as the environment. The most important aspect of a successful air quality management strategy is the measurement analysis, air quality forecasting, and reporting system. A complete insight, an accurate prediction, and a rapid response may provide valuable information for society’s decision-making. The data mining paradigm can assist in the study of air quality by providing a structured work methodology that simplifies data analysis. This study presents a systematic review of the literature from 2014 to 2018 on the use of data mining in the analysis of air pollutant measurements. For this review, a data mining approach to air quality analysis was proposed that was consistent with the 748 articles consulted. The most frequent sources of data have been the measurements of monitoring networks, and other technologies such as remote sensing, low-cost sensors, and social networks which are gaining importance in recent years. Among the topics studied in the literature were the redundancy of the information collected in the monitoring networks, the forecasting of pollutant levels or days of excessive regulation, and the identification of meteorological or land use parameters that have the most substantial impact on air quality. As methods to visualise and present the results, we recovered graphic design, air quality index development, heat mapping, and geographic information systems. We hope that this study will provide anchoring of theoretical-practical development in the field and that it will provide inputs for air quality planning and management.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

Residual biomass calculation from individual tree architecture using terrestrial laser scanner and ground-level measurements

Large quantity of residual biomass with possible energy and industrial end can be obtained from management operations of urban forests. The profitability of exploiting this resource is conditioned by the amount of existing biomass within urban community ecosystems. Prior research pointed out that residual biomass from Platanus hispanica and other tree species can be calculated from dendrometric parameters. In this study, two approaches have been analyzed: First, applicability of TLS was tested for residual biomass calculation from crown volume. In addition, traditional models for residual biomass prediction were developed from dendrometric parameters (tree height, crown diameter, and diameter at breast height). Next, a comparison between parameters obtained with both methodologies (standard methodologies vs TLS) was carried out. The results indicate a strong relationship (R2 = 0.906) between crown diameters and between total tree heights (R2 = 0.868). The crown volumes extracted from the TLS point cloud were calculated by 4 different methods: convex hull; convex hull by slices of 5 cm height in the XY plane; triangulation by XY flat sections, and voxel modeling. The highest accuracy was found when the voxel method was used for pruned biomass prediction (R2 = 0.731). The results revealed the potential of TLS data to determine dendrometric parameters and biomass yielded from pruning quitar of urban forestsFernández-Sarría, A.; Velázquez Martí, B.; Sajdak, M.; Martinez, L.; Estornell Cremades, J. (2013). Residual biomass calculation from individual tree architecture using terrestrial laser scanner and ground-level measurements. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. 93:90-97. doi:10.1016/j.compag.2013.01.012S90979

Lidar methods for measurement of trees in urban forests

[EN] This study compares the estimations of biophysical parameters of Platanus hispanica urban trees, namely total height, crown height, crown volume, and the amount of residual biomass from pruning, obtained by terrestrial laser scanner (TLS), airborne laser scanner (ALS)of low density (0.7 points · m¿2), and measured by standard field methods. Regression models were calculated to obtain the relationships among parameters retrieved by all techniques, testing all possible combinations (manual-TLS, manual-ALS, TLS-ALS, and vice versa). The most accurate fits were found for vegetation attributes (stem and crown diameter) estimated by TLS and ALS data with R2 between 0.84 and 0.96, respectively. The least accurate models were found when crown height and pruning biomass were estimated from ALS data (R2 ¿ 0.68 and R2 ¿ 0.59, respectively). The methods reported in this research might be of interest for the management of urban forests to study residual biomass calculation, sink CO2, the influence of humidity and of shadow areas whatever the information capture system used, whether it is derived from ALS, TLS, or classical dendrometry measurements.Estornell Cremades, J.; Velázquez Martí, B.; Fernández-Sarría, A.; Marti-Gavila, J. (2018). Lidar methods for measurement of trees in urban forests. Journal of Applied Remote Sensing. 12(4):046009-1-046009-17. doi:10.1117/1.JRS.12.046009S046009-1046009-1712

Daily Concentrations of PM2.5 in the Valencian Community Using Random Forest for the Period 2008–2018

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a global problem that affects the population health and contributes to climate change. Remote sensing provides useful information for the development of air quality models. This work aims to obtain a daily model of PM2.5 levels in the Valencian Community with a resolution of 1 km for the period 2008–2018. MODIS-MAIAC images, meteorological parameters of the MERRA-2 project, land cover information and ground level measurements of PM2.5 levels were analysed with Random Forest. The verification of the model was carried out using cross-validation repeated ten times, and an evaluation of a test set with 20% of the collected information. The final model was used to generate maps of the daily concentrations of PM2.5 for the area of the Valencian Community throughout the study period.Centro de Investigaciones del Medioambient

Could we call frequent attenders to patients because of their high frequency of attendance?

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Experiencias de innovación docente y uso de nuevas tecnologías en la enseñanza del tratamiento de la imagen digital en Geomática

[ES] La asignatura de Tratamiento de la imagen digital se encuentra en segundo de Grado en Ingeniería en Geomática y Topografía. Sus seis créditos se reparten en tres de teoría de aula y tres de prácticas de laboratorio. En este trabajo se muestra cómo se ha organizado la docencia y las metodologías empleadas en la asignatura buscando el aprendizaje autónomo y significativo del alumno, intentando aumentar su motivación e implicación. Se pretende cambiar la tendencia pasiva del alumno hacia un aprendizaje activo dentro y fuera del aula que le permita llegar a las clases con el material trabajado y dispuesto a resolver las cuestiones que se planteen y a obtener e interpretar resultados. Se diseñaron clases prácticas basadas en los contenidos teóricos, con videos de 10 minutos (Polimedias) sobre cómo ejecutar las prácticas y con un test que permite evaluar los resultados y recoger los comentarios que se derivan del desarrollo de las prácticas. Sin embargo, es necesario avanzar en el diseño de actividades encaminadas hacia la docencia inversa (flip teaching), es decir hacia clases en las que el alumno debata y resuelva las dudas y cuestiones que se le planteen y que le permitan abandonar la posición de alumno pasivo.Porres De La Haza, MJ.; Fernández-Sarría, A.; Recio Recio, JA. (2014). Experiencias de innovación docente y uso de nuevas tecnologías en la enseñanza del tratamiento de la imagen digital en Geomática. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 897-904. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/168756S89790

Estimating residual biomass of olive tree crops using terrestrial laser scanning

[EN] Agricultural residues have gained increasing interest as a source of renewable energy. The development of methods and techniques that allow to inventory residual biomass needs to be explored further. In this study, the residual biomass of olive trees was estimated based on parameters derived from using a Terrestrial Laser Scanning System (TLS). To this end, 32 olive trees in 2 orchards in the municipality of Viver, Central Eastern Spain, were selected and measured using a TLS system. The residual biomass of these trees was pruned and weighed. Several algorithms were applied to the TLS data to compute the main parameters of the trees: total height, crown height, crown diameter and crown volume. Regarding the last parameter, 4 methods were tested: the global convex hull volume, the convex hull by slice volume, the section volume, and the volume measured by voxels. In addition, several statistics were computed from the crown points for each tree. Regression models were calculated to predict residual biomass using 3 sets of potential explicative variables: firstly, the height statistics retrieved from 3D cloud data for each crown tree, secondly, the parameters of the trees derived from TLS data and finally, the combination of both sets of variables. Strong relationships between residual biomass and TLS parameters (crown volume parameters) were found (R2 = 0.86, RMSE = 2.78 kg). The pruning biomass pre- diction fraction was improved by 6%, in terms of R2, when the variance of the crown-point elevations was selected (R2 = 0.92, RMSE = 2.01 kg). The study offers some important insights into the quantification of residual biomass, which is essential information for the production of biofuel.Fernández-Sarría, A.; López- Cortés, I.; Estornell Cremades, J.; Velázquez Martí, B.; Salazar Hernández, DM. (2019). Estimating residual biomass of olive tree crops using terrestrial laser scanning. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation. 75:163-170. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jag.2018.10.019S1631707

Respuesta agronómica de plantas de banano cultivar ‘FHIA-17’ (Musa AAAA) obtenidas por cultivo de tejidos y por propagación agámica

The production of bananas (Musa spp.) has increased worldwide and demand for many inputs, so it is necessary to introduce productive and disease-tolerant cultivars. An investigation was carried out with the objective of evaluating the agronomic response of banana plants cultivar 'FHIA-17' (Musa AAAA) obtained by tissue culture and agamic propagation. 'FHIA-17' plants from micropropagation and agamic propagation were evaluated in the field under production conditions. Plants of cv. 'Grande naine' (Musa AAA) obtained by micropropagation were use as reference. Plant materials were compared in terms of the duration of the planting-flowering and planting-harvest cycle. At flowering, plant height (cm), pseudostem circumference (cm), number of total and functional leaves, and response to black Sigatoka were evaluated. As yield indicators, the net weight of the bunch, number of hands and fruits per bunch were determined. The 'FHIA-17' plants showed the phenotypic characteristics according to the descriptors of the cultivar. The micropropagated ‘FHIA-17’ plants were superior to those from agamic propagation in all the indicators evaluated, except in the number of leaves, which was similar. Both the plants from micropropagation and those from agamic propagation had a superior response compared to the cultivar 'Grande naine' and could be an alternative for banana production in Cuba.La producción de banano (Musa spp.) se ha incrementado a nivel mundial y demanda de muchos insumos, por lo que se requiere introducir cultivares productivos y tolerantes a enfermedades. Se realizó una investigación con el objetivo evaluar la respuesta agronómica de plantas de banano cultivar ‘FHIA-17’ (Musa AAAA) obtenidas por cultivo de tejidos y por propagación agámica. Se evaluaron en campo en condiciones de producción plantas de ‘FHIA-17’ provenientes de micropropagación y propagación agámica. Se incluyeron como referencia plantas del  cv. ‘Grande naine’ (Musa AAA) obtenidas por micropropagación. Se compararon los materiales vegetales en cuanto a la duración del ciclo de cultivo plantación-floración y plantación-cosecha. A la floración se evaluó la altura de la planta (cm), circunferencia del pseudotallo (cm), número de hojas totales y funcionales y respuesta a la Sigatoka negra. Como indicadores del rendimiento se determinó el peso neto del racimo, número de manos y frutos por racimo. Las plantas de ‘FHIA-17’ mostraron las características fenotípicas de acuerdo con los descriptores del cultivar. Las plantas de ‘FHIA-17’ micropropagadas fueron superiores a las procedentes de propagación agámica en todos los indicadores evaluados, excepto en el número de hojas que fue similar. Tanto las plantas procedentes de micropropagación como las de propagación agámica tuvieron una respuesta superior con respecto al cultivar ‘Grande naine’ y podría ser una alternativa para la producción de banano en Cuba