Solar Energy Transformation Strategies by Ecosystems of the Boreal Zone (Thermodynamic Analysis Based on Remote Sensing Data)

The hypothesis of an increase in free energy (exergy) by ecosystems during evolution is tested on direct measurements. As a measuring system of thermodynamic parameters (exergy, information, entropy), a series of measurements of reflected solar radiation in bands of Landsat multispectral imagery for 20 years is used. The thermodynamic parameters are compared for different types of ecosystems depending on the influx of solar radiation, weather conditions and the composition of communities. It is shown that maximization of free energy occurs only in a succession series (time scale of several hundred years), and on a short evolutionary time scale of several thousand years, various strategies of energy use are successfully implemented at the same time: forests always maximize exergy and, accordingly, transpiration, meadows—disequilibrium and biological productivity in summer, and swamps, due to a prompt response to changes in temperature and moisture, maintaining disequilibrium and productivity throughout the year. On the basis of the obtained regularities, we conclude that on an evolutionary time scale, the thermodynamic system changes in the direction of increasing biological productivity and saving moisture, which contradicts the hypothesis of maximizing free energy in the course of evolution

Correction: Sandlersky et al. Multispectral Remote Sensing Data Application in Modelling Non-Extensive Tsallis Thermodynamics for Mountain Forests in Northern Mongolia. <i>Entropy</i> 2023, <i>25</i>, 1653

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Methods of Evaluating Thermodynamic Properties of Landscape Cover Using Multispectral Reflected Radiation Measurements by the Landsat Satellite

The paper discusses methods of evaluating thermodynamic properties of landscape cover based on multi-spectral measurements by the Landsat satellites. Authors demonstrate how these methods could be used for studying functionality of landscapes and for spatial interpolation of Flux NET system measurements

Is the Lesser Khingan Suitable for the Amur Tiger Restoration? Perspectives with the Current State of the Habitat and Prey Base

The Amur tiger (Panthera tigris) has a status of being endangered on the world’s IUCN red list. The northwestern part of its range is situated in Russia and China, where tigers were exterminated by humans in the 1950–1970s. To restore tiger population within a historical range, an estimation of the habitat suitability is firstly needed. The Lesser Khingan mountains (Heilongjiang) was analyzed. Habitat types were mapped by satellite images analysis and field proven. The potential habitats of the main tiger’s prey species (wild boar (Sus scrofa), roe deer (Capreolus pygargus), and red deer (Cervus elaphus xanthopygus) were also assessed. Maximum entropy and linear discriminant analysis methods were applied and compared for species distribution modeling (SDM). Species distribution maps were used to design an ecological network. The fragmentation of habitat patches was evaluated by spatial ecological metrics. The habitat patches with the best metrics were assigned as cores for the ecological network, which were connected by calculated corridors. The least cost distance method (based on distance to roads and settlements) was used. The recovery of the Amur tiger in habitats of China’s Lesser Khingan is shown to be possible. Types of habitats were calculated as natural corridors for moving tigers. They are mainly located at the forests’ edges and characterized with various canopy structures and high variability in the tree species composition. Three potential transboundary corridors are described: (a) foothills and low mountains of the northern Lesser Khingan; (b) connection between the southeast Lesser Khingan and the western part of the Wandashan mountain system; and (c) corridor within foothills and low mountains of the eastern part of Lesser Khingan. It is recommended to establish protected areas for the important tiger core habitats, and the main optimal ways for their migrations are described during the current investigation. Moreover, it is necessary to implement habitat recovery activities for key areas

Integrated Use of AHP-GIS-Remote sensing predicting potential areas of coffee plants: a case study of buffer zone of Ta Dung Nature park, Vietnam

Ta Dung Nature park is an important ecological region, its buffer zone currently has coffee as the main crop. However, declines in coffee yields result in a relative reduction in spending power by households. This study aimed to assess land potential to proposal the land for coffee cultivation. Sustainable agriculture must nurture healthy ecosystems and support the sustainable management of land and natural resources. An approach based on integrated use of the Analytical Hierarchy ProcessGeographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing (AHP-GIS-RS) developed using 13 environmental sub-factors. Study result showed the land of development of current coffee cultivation have had an effect from the most important criteria is soil type (0.24), followed by land use cover unit (0.17) and irrigation system (0.15). Sub-factors (SF9: rock expose above soil; SF11 : flood status, SF1 2: irrigation system) have the largest “potential” land for coffee plants. Coffee plantation was recommended to orient in 6,82 % total of study area by the possibility of expanding cultivated area. A framework of potential model was provided for other industry crops in other study areas in Vietnam