Landscape-scale habitat associations of small mammals on the western coast of Hudson Bay

Author(s):  
Kevin Hawkshaw ◽  
Lee Foote ◽  
Alastair Franke

Availability of suitable habitat affects the distribution and abundance of Arctic fauna, influencing how species respond to climate change and disturbance from resource extraction in the region. We surveyed Arctic ground squirrels (Urocitellus parryii Richardson, 1825) using distance sampling transects and concurrently counted microtine rodent burrows. Abundance of Arctic ground squirrels and microtine burrows was positively correlated with terrain ruggedness. Microtine burrows were more abundant inland and in areas with freshwater, while Arctic ground squirrels were more often found at low elevation without freshwater. Arctic ground squirrel abundance was positively related to the normalized difference water index, a proxy for vegetation water content, while microtine burrows were weakly correlated with the normalized difference vegetation index. Our study highlights the habitat associations of ecologically significant small mammals in an underrepresented Arctic study area.

2020 ◽  
Vol 963 (9) ◽  
pp. 53-64
Author(s):  
V.F. Kovyazin ◽  
Thi Lan Anh Dang ◽  
Viet Hung Dang

Tram Chim National Park in Southern Vietnam is a wetland area included in the system of specially protected natural areas (SPNA). For the purposes of land monitoring, we studied Landsat-5 and Sentinel-2B images obtained in 1991, 2006 and 2019. The methods of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and water objects – normalized difference water index (NDWI) were used to estimate the vegetation in National Park. The allocated land is classifi ed by the maximum likelihood method in ENVI 5.3 into categories. For each image, a statistical analysis of the land after classifi cation was performed. Between 1991 and 2019, land changes occurred in about 57 % of the Tram Chim National Park total area. As a result, the wetland area has signifi cantly reduced there due to climate change. However, the area of Melaleuca forests in Tram Chim National Park has increased due to the effi ciency of reforestation in protected areas. Melaleuca forests are also being restored.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 766
Author(s):  
Yuanmao Zheng ◽  
Qiang Zhou ◽  
Yuanrong He ◽  
Cuiping Wang ◽  
Xiaorong Wang ◽  
...  

Quantitative and accurate urban land information on regional and global scales is urgently required for studying socioeconomic and eco-environmental problems. The spatial distribution of urban land is a significant part of urban development planning, which is vital for optimizing land use patterns and promoting sustainable urban development. Composite nighttime light (NTL) data from the Defense Meteorological Program Operational Line-Scan System (DMSP-OLS) have been proven to be effective for extracting urban land. However, the saturation and blooming within the DMSP-OLS NTL hinder its capacity to provide accurate urban information. This paper proposes an optimized approach that combines NTL with multiple index data to overcome the limitations of extracting urban land based only on NTL data. We combined three sources of data, the DMSP-OLS, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and the normalized difference water index (NDWI), to establish a novel approach called the vegetation–water-adjusted NTL urban index (VWANUI), which is used to rapidly extract urban land areas on regional and global scales. The results show that the proposed approach reduces the saturation of DMSP-OLS and essentially eliminates blooming effects. Next, we developed regression models based on the normalized DMSP-OLS, the human settlement index (HSI), the vegetation-adjusted NTL urban index (VANUI), and the VWANUI to analyze and estimate urban land areas. The results show that the VWANUI regression model provides the highest performance of all the models tested. To summarize, the VWANUI reduces saturation and blooming, and improves the accuracy with which urban areas are extracted, thereby providing valuable support and decision-making references for designing sustainable urban development.


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1486
Author(s):  
Chris Cavalaris ◽  
Sofia Megoudi ◽  
Maria Maxouri ◽  
Konstantinos Anatolitis ◽  
Marios Sifakis ◽  
...  

In this study, a modelling approach for the estimation/prediction of wheat yield based on Sentinel-2 data is presented. Model development was accomplished through a two-step process: firstly, the capacity of Sentinel-2 vegetation indices (VIs) to follow plant ecophysiological parameters was established through measurements in a pilot field and secondly, the results of the first step were extended/evaluated in 31 fields, during two growing periods, to increase the applicability range and robustness of the models. Modelling results were examined against yield data collected by a combine harvester equipped with a yield-monitoring system. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) were examined as plant signals and combined with Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) and/or Normalized Multiband Drought Index (NMDI) during the growth period or before sowing, as water and soil signals, respectively. The best performing model involved the EVI integral for the 20 April–31 May period as a plant signal and NMDI on 29 April and before sowing as water and soil signals, respectively (R2 = 0.629, RMSE = 538). However, model versions with a single date and maximum seasonal VIs values as a plant signal, performed almost equally well. Since the maximum seasonal VIs values occurred during the last ten days of April, these model versions are suitable for yield prediction.


2012 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fábio M. Breunig ◽  
Lênio S. Galvão ◽  
Antônio R. Formaggio ◽  
José C.N. Epiphanio

Directional effects introduce a variability in reflectance and vegetation index determination, especially when large field-of-view sensors are used (e.g., Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer - MODIS). In this study, we evaluated directional effects on MODIS reflectance and four vegetation indices (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index - NDVI; Enhanced Vegetation Index - EVI; Normalized Difference Water Index - NDWI1640 and NDWI2120) with the soybean development in two growing seasons (2004-2005 and 2005-2006). To keep the reproductive stage for a given cultivar as a constant factor while varying viewing geometry, pairs of images obtained in close dates and opposite view angles were analyzed. By using a non-parametric statistics with bootstrapping and by normalizing these indices for angular differences among viewing directions, their sensitivities to directional effects were studied. Results showed that the variation in MODIS reflectance between consecutive phenological stages was generally smaller than that resultant from viewing geometry for closed canopies. The contrary was observed for incomplete canopies. The reflectance of the first seven MODIS bands was higher in the backscattering. Except for the EVI, the other vegetation indices had larger values in the forward scattering direction. Directional effects decreased with canopy closure. The NDVI was lesser affected by directional effects than the other indices, presenting the smallest differences between viewing directions for fixed phenological stages.


Author(s):  
C. Li ◽  
Y. Zhong ◽  
W. Zhang

Hong Lake is the largest lake in Hubei Province. With the increase of Hong Lake economic activity, the area, spatial location and shape of Hong Lake have changed greatly in the past. In this paper, we used the images, which is from the visible infrared imaging radiometer (VIIRS). First, we selected the images of Hong Lake waters on December 6, 2016 and December 26, 2015. Then we extracted the water bodies by the single-band method, spectral relationship method, normalized difference water index (<i>NDWI</i>) were used, and the effect-s were compared. Second, the images of Hong Lake waters in summer and winter were selected from 2012 to 2016, respectively. Last, The <i>NDWI</i> was used to extract the water body and compared with the MODIS image extraction effect in the same period. As a result of the vegetation around Hong Lake, the water is extracted by <i>NDWI</i> and normalized difference vegetation index (<i>NDVI</i>). It is found that for the VIIRS image, the <i>NDWI</i> is the best in the water extraction of Hong Lake. The <i>NDVI</i> + <i>NDWI</i> method is beneficial to the extraction of water covered with aquatic plants. VIIRS image extraction is better than MODIS image. In addition, from the study of VIIRS and MODIS to Hong Lake waters in the five years of water extraction and area calculation, 2012&amp;ndash;2016 period, Hong Lake’s average area of 348.213&amp;thinsp;km<sup>2</sup> in flood season, in dry season average area of 349.163&amp;thinsp;km<sup>2</sup>. The largest area for the 2012 flood season 389.751&amp;thinsp;km<sup>2</sup>, the smallest area of 2016 flood season 306.177&amp;thinsp;km<sup>2</sup>. Overall, Hong Lake’s area changes little.


2018 ◽  
pp. 41-46
Author(s):  
Adlin Dancheva

In this paper the application of Remote Sensing and GIS as a means of performing aero – space monitoring of forest ecosystems dynamics is being considered. The purpose of this work is to create a model for monitoring the dynamic of forest ecosystems, based on Remote Sensing and GIS. The results of eco-monitoring can be used to update plans and policies for forest ecosystem management. The territory of Vrachanski Balkan Nature park was chosen as the subject of research as there is a certain anthropogenic pressure there. The results presented are obtained by spatial-time analysis of certain aerospace data indices. To carry out the study optical satellite images were used, on the basics of which three indices were calculated: Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) and Normalized Difference Greenness Index (NDGI). A comparative analysis has been created and results of the degree of correlation between the different indices are presented, as well as indicators from the different test areas and related changes in the individual points in time. The results of the survey aim to assess the dynamics and condition of the forest vegetation on the territory of Vrachanski Balkan Nature park and can be utilised in activities related to monitoring, mapping and forest management.


Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (24) ◽  
pp. 5423
Author(s):  
Shou-Hao Chiang ◽  
Noel Ivan Ulloa

Wildfires are considered one of the most major hazards and environmental issues worldwide. Recently, Earth observation satellite (EOS) sensors have proven to be effective for wildfire detection, although the quality and usefulness of the data are often hindered by cloud presence. One practical workaround is to combine datasets from multiple sensors. This research presents a methodology that utilizes data of the recently-launched Sentinel-3 sea and land surface temperature radiometer (S3-SLSTR) to reflect its applicability for detecting wildfires. In addition, visible infrared imaging radiometer suite day night band (VIIRS-DNB) imagery was introduced to assure day-night tracking capabilities. The wildfire event in the Indio Maiz Biological Reserve, Nicaragua, during 3–13 April 2018, was the study case. Six S3-SLSTR images were processed to compute spectral indices, such as the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), the normalized difference water index (NDWI), and the normalized burn ratio (NBR), to perform image segmentation for estimating the burnt area. The results indicate that 5870.7 ha of forest was affected during the wildfire, close to the 5945 ha reported by local authorities. In this study, the fire expansion was delineated and tracked in the Indio Maiz Biological Reserve using a modified fast marching method on nighttime-sensed temporal VIIRS-DNB. This study shows the importance of S3-SLSRT for wildfire monitoring and how it can be complemented with VIIRS-DNB to track burning biomass at daytime and nighttime.


2018 ◽  
Vol 63 ◽  
pp. 00017
Author(s):  
Michał Lupa ◽  
Katarzyna Adamek ◽  
Renata Stypień ◽  
Wojciech Sarlej

The study examines how LANDSAT images can be used to monitor inland surface water quality effectively by using correlations between various indicators. Wigry lake (area 21.7 km2) was selected for the study as an example. The study uses images acquired in the years 1990–2016. Analysis was performed on data from 35 months and seven water condition indicators were analyzed: turbidity, Secchi disc depth, Dissolved Organic Material (DOM), chlorophyll-a, Modified Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The analysis of results also took into consideration the main relationships described by the water circulation cycle. Based on the analysis of all indicators, clear trends describing a systematic improvement of water quality in Lake Wigry were observed.


Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 190 ◽  
Author(s):  
William H. Kessler ◽  
Claudia Ganser ◽  
Gregory E. Glass

The lone star (Amblyomma americanum), black-legged (Ixodes scapularis) and American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis) are species of great public health importance as they are competent vectors of several notable pathogens. While the regional distributions of these species are well characterized, more localized distribution estimates are sparse. We used records of field collected ticks and an ensemble modeling approach to predict habitat suitability for each of these species in Florida. Environmental variables capturing climatic extremes were common contributors to habitat suitability. Most frequently, annual precipitation (Bio12), mean temperature of the driest quarter (Bio9), minimum temperature of the coldest month (Bio6), and mean Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were included in the final models for each species. Agreement between the modeling algorithms used in this study was high and indicated the distribution of suitable habitat for all three species was reduced at lower latitudes. These findings are important for raising awareness of the potential for tick-borne pathogens in Florida.


2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 490-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARTIN GILBERT ◽  
BAYARBAATAR BUUVEIBAATAR ◽  
AMANDA E. FINE ◽  
LOSOLMAA JAMBAL ◽  
SAMANTHA STRINDBERG

SummaryEastern Mongolia supports one of the most important breeding populations of the White-naped Crane Antigone vipio (WNC), which is classified as ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN. Large numbers of WNCs were found to be breeding at high densities within the Ulz River basin during surveys conducted in 2000 and 2001, along a 270 km section of the river. Following these surveys, an extended drought continuing for at least a decade has threatened wetland ecosystems throughout Eastern Mongolia. This study reports the findings of surveys conducted in 2010 and 2011 along the same section of the Ulz River surveyed a decade earlier, as well as a generalised survey of other sites where breeding WNCs had previously been recorded. Along the Ulz River, populations declined from 42 territorial pairs in 2001 to 17 in 2011. Estimates of detection probability using distance sampling and occupancy methods at two locations gave consistent results of 23%–27% detectability. With a minimum population of 234 WNCs observed across all sites in 2011, these detection probabilities suggest that the areas surveyed support the majority of breeding WNCs in the western population. Although we cannot exclude the movement of WNCs beyond the survey area, these findings also suggest that the population has declined between 2001 and 2011. Exploration of key habitat variables using occupancy models and generalized linear mixed models found that WNCs favoured areas of high wet vegetation (estimated as ‘wet meadow’ coverage and using normalized difference vegetation index), and low grazing pressure. Given the importance of water resources to WNCs and nomadic herding communities, use of wetland habitat must be carefully managed to balance the needs of cranes and people, particularly during periods of drought.


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