Monitoramento global e regional da cobertura vegetal: uma abordagem dos atuais sistemas de observação da Terra

A partir da década de 80, estudos pioneiros para mapear e monitorar a cobertura vegetal em termos regionais e globais, usando dados adquiridos pelo AVHRR (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer), iniciaram um novo paradigma no sensoriamento remoto, derivando dados, até então, destinados para estudos locais para dados regionais e globais. A partir do final da década de 80, com a crescente necessidade de se monitorar a cobertura vegetal, novos sensores a bordo de novos satélites estão adquirindo dados com maior qualidade, no que se refere aos domínios temporal, espacial, espectral, radiométrico e angular. Este artigo destaca algumas destas realizações a partir da década de 80, indicando alguns desafios para o estudo do sensoriamento remoto, além de relacionar os principais sistemas atuais de observação da Terra

Relationship between conservation units and the Brazilian environmental law: a case study in Southern Brazil

Conservation Units may be classified by Law either as integral protection or sustainable use nowadays. This law brings to the Government the possibility to categorize new areas according to its characteristics and purposes. The main goal of this study was to describe the state of art of the conservation units in Brazil and to discuss the different possibilities available nowadays to categorize a new conservation unit at district (Municipal) level. The case study selected in this investigation was Pomerode city (Santa Catarina State, Brazil). In this research we conclude that economic and social aspects should be considered with more intenseness in order to verify its implementation viability, mainly when the conservation unit under study shows private areas inside its boundaries. In most of the cases, no financial support is managed to pay compensation and the new conservation unit contribute by the end only for statistic purposes and not for the preservation of the biodiversity as initially expected

Avaliação das propriedades químicas e físicas dos solos da mata ciliar do Rio do Testo, sob diferentes formas de ocupação

O uso indiscriminado dos solos das matas ciliares tem levado a uma séria degradação das suas propriedades químicas, físicas ebiológicas. Esta degradação tem impedido que estas matas desempenhem o seu verdadeiro papel. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliaras propriedades químicas e físicas dos solos da área da mata ciliar do Rio do Testo, localizado nos municípios de Pomerode e Blumenau, SC. Foram coletadas amostras de solos, nas profundidades de 0 a 20cm e 20 a 40cm, em áreas de agricultura, pastagem, reflorestamento e vegetaçãoremanescente. As propriedades químicas e físicas avaliadas foram: pH, matéria orgânica, fósforo disponível, potássio, cálcio, magnésioe alumínio trocável, soma de bases, saturação de bases, saturação de alumínio e capacidade de troca catiônica, densidade do solo, densidade de partículas, porosidade total e teor de argila. As propriedades químicas avaliadas indicaram que houve, em geral, uma melhoria das condições de fertilidade dos solos utilizados com agricultura, pastagem e reflorestamento em relação às áreas de vegetação remanescentes devido, provavelmente, à aplicação defertilizantes e corretivos da acidez do solo. As propriedades físicas dos solos foram pouco afetadas pelo uso com agricultura, pastagem ereflorestamento. Os solos das áreas ciliares do Rio do Testo, de acordo com as propriedades químicas e físicas avaliadas, apresentam boascondições para a implementação de programas de recuperação ambiental visando a regeneração de sua cobertura vegetal

O SATÉLITE TERRA E AS PESQUISAS EM MUDANÇAS GLOBAIS

On December 18, 1999, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched the TERRA Satellite, the first one of the Earth Observing System program (EOS). It was developed with the objective to begin a scientific mission never accomplished before: to generate a complete physical check-up of the Earth, which nowadays began to show some symptoms of health problems. One of the main objectives of this mission is to measure main parameters that describe the conditions of the Earth and its atmosphere and begin a long-term monitoring of the human impact on the environment. This article provides a previous literature revision where the main characteristics and objectives of the five sensors onboard TERRA Satellite are presented, as well as its role in global change context. Key words: Earth Observation System; TERRA Satellite; Global Changes; Remote Sensing.Em 18 de dezembro de 1999, a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) lançou o Satélite TERRA como marco principal do programa Earth Observing System (EOS), visando iniciar a mais abrangente missão científica até então tentada, destinada a gerar uma ampla avaliação física do Planeta Terra. Entre os principais objetivos da missão está o de buscar melhorar o entendimento quanto aos movimentos de carbono e energia em relação ao sistema climático terrestre. O presente artigo consiste numa revisão em que são apresentadas as características dos cinco sensores a bordo do Satélite TERRA, bem como o seu papel no contexto das mudanças globais. Palavras-chave: Sistema de Observação da Terra; mudanças globais; sensoriamento remoto

Multifrequency and Full-Polarimetric SAR Assessment for Estimating Above Ground Biomass and Leaf Area Index in the Amazon Várzea Wetlands

The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential of multifrequency and Full-polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data for retrieving both Above Ground Biomass (AGB) and Leaf Area Index (LAI) in the Amazon floodplain forest environment. Two specific questions were proposed: (a) Does multifrequency SAR data perform more efficiently than single-frequency data in estimating LAI and AGB of várzea forests?; and (b) Are quad-pol SAR data more efficient than single- and dual-pol SAR data in estimating LAI and AGB of várzea forest? To answer these questions, data from different sources (TerraSAR-X Multi Look Ground Range Detected (MGD), Radarsat-2 Standard Qual-Pol, advanced land observing satellite (ALOS)/ phased-arrayed L-band SAR (PALSAR-1). Fine-beam dual (FDB) and quad Polarimetric mode) were combined in 10 different scenarios to model both LAI and AGB. A R-platform routine was implemented to automatize the selection of the best regression models. Results indicated that ALOS/PALSAR variables provided the best estimates for both LAI and AGB. Single-frequency L-band data was more efficient than multifrequency SAR. PALSAR-FDB HV-dB provided the best LAI estimates during low-water season. The best AGB estimates at high-water season were obtained by PALSAR-1 quad-polarimetric data. The top three features for estimating AGB were proportion of volumetric scattering and both the first and second dominant phase difference between trihedral and dihedral scattering, extracted from Van Zyl and Touzi decomposition, respectively. The models selected for both AGB and LAI were parsimonious. The Root Mean Squared Error (RMSEcv), relative overall RMSEcv (%) and R2 value for LAI were 0.61%, 0.55% and 13%, respectively, and for AGB, they were 74.6 t·ha−1, 0.88% and 46%, respectively. These results indicate that L-band (ALOS/PALSAR-1) has a high potential to provide quantitative and spatial information about structural forest attributes in floodplain forest environments. This potential may be extended not only with PALSAR-2 data but also to forthcoming missions (e.g., NISAR, Global Ecosystems Dynamics Investigation Lidar (GEDI), BIOMASS, Tandem-L) for promoting wall-to-wall AGB mapping with a high level of accuracy in dense tropical forest regions worldwide

Morphometry of the river basin São João, MG: a proposal for understanding the limits and the dynamics of erosive surfaces

FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOThe morphometric parameters of relief surface are essential for characterizing and understanding the landscape formation, especially in areas that have been undergone erosion and tectonic processes, as the case of the Sao Joao River Basin in southwest of Minas Gerais state. In order to recognize tectonic features that could interpose the development of the channel and ultimately affect the erosion cycles, were performed a series of geomorphological analysis, such as: isobase, factor transverse topographic symmetry and asymmetry of the drainage basin, and the curve and hypsometric integral. These results were produced through rates obtained by the TecDEM, software used to compile the entire procedure and routine, just using spatial information of the digital elevation model (SRTM). These analyzes satisfactorily gave the understanding of the structures and relief in the basin context, and thus, showing the topography and boundary areas, the erosive dynamic displacement of channels belonging to fourth and fifth basins orders, and finally the moment of transition relief.Os parâmetros morfométricos da superfície do relevo são essenciais para a caracterização e o entendimento da formação de uma paisagem, especialmente em áreas que passaram por processos erosivos e tectônicos bem marcados, como o caso da região da Bacia do Rio São João, no sudoeste de Minas Gerais. Com o propósito de reconhecer os traços tectônicos que pudessem interferir no desenvolvimento do canal e por fim afetar os ciclos erosivos, foram realizadas uma série de análises geomorfológicas; tais como a Isobase, o Fator de simetria topográfica transversal com assimetria da bacia de drenagem e a Curva e integral hipsométrica. Estes índeces foram produzidos através do software TecDEM, que compilou em sua interfacie de trabalho todo o procedimento e rotina, utilizando-se apenas das informações espaciais do modelo digital de elevação (SRTM). Estas análises, favoreceram satisfatoriamente o entendimento das estruturas e do relevo no contexto da bacia, assim evidenciando os domínios topográficos e limites das superfícies, a dinâmica erosiva, o deslocamento dos canais pertencentes as bacias de quarta e quinta ordem, e por fim o momento de transição do relevo172241252FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO2009/04418-42009/10547-12010/17423-3, 2011/233257; 308629/2015-9The morphometric parameters of relief surface are essential for characterizing and understanding the landscape formation, especially in areas that have been undergone erosion and tectonic processes, as the case of the Sao Joao River Basin in southwest of Minas Gerais state. In order to recognize tectonic features that could interpose the development of the channel and ultimately affect the erosion cycles, were performed a series of geomorphological analysis, such as: isobase, factor transverse topographic symmetry and asymmetry of the drainage basin, and the curve and hypsometric integral. These results were produced through rates obtained by the TecDEM, software used to compile the entire procedure and routine, just using spatial information of the digital elevation model (SRTM). These analyzes satisfactorily gave the understanding of the structures and relief in the basin context, and thus, showing the topography and boundary areas, the erosive dynamic displacement of channels belonging to fourth and fifth basins orders, and finally the moment of transition relie

ABORDAGENS PARA CLASSIFICAÇÃO DO ESTÁDIO SUCESSIONAL DA VEGETAÇÃO DO PARQUE NACIONAL DE SÃO JOAQUIM EMPREGANDO IMAGENS LANDSAT-8 E RAPIDEYE

A classificação remota dos diferentes estádios sucessionais da vegetação ainda constitui um desafio devido à similaridade espectral destas classes. Este artigo tem o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho de imagens Landsat-8 e RapidEye para a classificação do estádio sucessional da vegetação em um fragmento de Floresta Ombrófila Mista, localizado no Parque Nacional de São Joaquim- SC. Para isto, três grupos de variáveis gerados a partir de cada imagem foram avaliados, sendo: (1) composto somente pelas bandas espectrais puras; (2) composto pelas métricas texturais GLCMgeradas a partir das bandas espectrais; e (3) composto pelas variáveis dos dois grupos anteriores, alémde dois índices de vegetação no caso da imagem Landsat-8, e três índices para a RapidEye. Cada grupo foi testado com os classificadores florestas randômicas (Random Forest- RF), máquinas de vetor de suporte (Support Vector Machine - SVM) e máxima verossimilhança (Maxver). Todos os experimentos alcançaram resultados satisfatórios, com índice Kappa variando de 0,66 a 0,88 e acurácia de usuário e produtor superiores a 50%. O melhor resultado alcançado foi com a imagem Landsat-8, grupo 3, associado ao algoritmo RF. A medida de importância das variáveis obtida com o algoritmo RF mostrou que as métricas texturais média, contraste e dissimilaridade destacaram-se na classificação para ambas as imagens

Inventário de vegetação em estágio inicial de sucessão na Floresta Ombrófila Densa no Vale do Itajaí, Santa Catarina

Abstract: Different areas with vegetation in early stage of secondary succession in the Atlantic Rain Forest (Vale do Itajaí, Santa Catarina) were inventoried. The most abundant species and species diversity were evaluated for each sample plot. Structural parameters were calculated: density (N ha-1), basal area (BAha-1), diameter at breast height (DBH) and total height (Ht). In 0.96 ha of sampled area were registered 62 species with DBH ≥ 3cm. Myrsine coriacea, Cyathea atrovirens, Tibouchina urvilleana and Miconia cinammomifolia were the most abundant. Basal area and density presented greater variability among sample plots, although the DBH and Ht presented lower variability.Resumo: Diferentes áreas com vegetação em estágio inicial de sucessão na Floresta Ombrófila Densa no Vale do Itajaí, em Santa Catarina, foram inventariadas. As espécies mais abundantes e a diversidade de espécies nas Unidades Amostrais (UA) foram avaliadas. Parâmetros estruturais foram estimados, como número de indivíduos (N.ha-1), área basal (AB.ha-1), diâmetro médio à altura do peito (DAP) e altura total média (Ht). Foram encontradas 62 espécies (DAP ≥ 3cm) em 0,96ha de área amostrada. Espécies mais abundantes foram: Myrsine coriacea, Cyathea atrovirens, Tibouchina urvilleanae, Miconia cinammomifolia. O número de indivíduos e a área basal variaram entre as UAs, mas o DAP e a Ht mostraram-se similares.

EVALUATING THE PERFORMANCE OF A SEMI-AUTOMATIC APPLE FRUIT DETECTION IN A HIGH-DENSITY ORCHARD SYSTEM USING LOW-COST DIGITAL RGB IMAGING SENSOR

This study investigates the potential use of close-range and low-cost terrestrial RGB imaging sensor for fruit detection in a high-density apple orchard of Fuji Suprema apple fruits (Malus domestica Borkh). The study area is a typical orchard located in a small holder farm in Santa Catarina’s Southern plateau (Brazil). Small holder farms in that state are responsible for more than 50% of Brazil’s apple fruit production. Traditional digital image processing approaches such as RGB color space conversion (e.g., rgb, HSV, CIE L*a*b*, OHTA[I1 , I2 , I3 ]) were applied over several terrestrial RGB images to highlight information presented in the original dataset. Band combinations (e.g., rgb-r, HSV-h, Lab-a, I”2 , I”3 ) were also generated as additional parameters (C1, C2 and C3) for the fruit detection. After, optimal image binarization and segmentation, parameters were chosen to detect the fruits efficiently and the results were compared to both visual and in-situ fruit counting. Results show that some bands and combinations allowed hits above 75%, of which the following variables stood out as good predictors: rgb-r, Lab-a, I”2 , I”3 , and the combinations C2 and C3. The best band combination resulted from the use of Lab-a band and have identical results of commission, omission, and accuracy, being 5%, 25% and 75%, respectively. Fruit detection rate for Lab-a showed a 0.73 coefficient of determination (R2 ), and fruit recognition accuracy rate showed 0.96 R2 . The proposed approach provides results with great applicability for small holder farms and may support local harvest prediction

Discrimination of tropical forest types, dominant species, and mapping of functional guilds by hyperspectral and simulated multispectral Sentinel-2 data

To answer new scientific and ecological questions and monitor multiple forest changes, a fine scale characterization of these ecosystems is needed, and could imply the mapping of specific species, of detailed forest types, and of functional composition. This characterization can be now provided by the novel Earth Observation tools. This study aims to contribute to understanding the innovation in forest and ecological research that can be brought in by advanced remote sensing instruments, and proposes the guild mapping approach as a tool to efficiently monitor the varied tropical forest resources. We evaluated, in tropical Ghanaian forests, the ability of airborne hyperspectral and simulated multispectral Sentinel-2 data, and derived vegetation indices and textures, to: distinguish between two different forest types; to discriminate among selected dominant species; and to separate trees species grouped according to their functional guilds: Pioneer, Non Pioneer Light Demanding, and Shade Bearer. We then produced guild classification maps for each area using hyperspectral data. Our results showed that with both hyperspectral and simulated Sentinel-2 data these discrimination tasks can be successfully accomplished. Results also stressed the importance of texture features, especially if using the lower spectral and spatial Sentinel-2 resolution data, and highlighted the important role of the new Sentinel-2 data for ecological monitoring. Classification results showed a statistically significant improvement in overall accuracy using Support Vector Machine, over Maximum Likelihood approach. We proposed the functional guilds mapping as an innovative approach to: (i) monitor compositional changes, especially with respect to the effects of global climate change on forests, and particularly in the tropical biome where the occurrence of hundreds of species prevents mapping activities at species level; (ii) support large-scale forest inventories. The imminent Sentinel-2 data could serve to open the road for the development of new concepts and methods in forestry and ecological research