scholarly journals Remote Sensing Calculation of the Influence of Wildfire on Erosion in High Mountain Areas

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1459
Author(s):  
Yolanda Sánchez Sánchez ◽  
Antonio Martínez Graña ◽  
Fernando Santos- Francés
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Fire Severity ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
High Severity ◽  
Natural Reserve ◽  
Remote Sensing Techniques ◽  
Normalized Burn Ratio ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Very High

Soil erosion is one of the most important environmental problems of the moment, especially in areas affected by wildfires. In this paper, we study pre-fire and post-fire erosion using remote sensing techniques with Sentinel-2 satellite images and LiDAR. The Normalized Burn Ratio is used to determine the areas affected by the fire that occurred on 18 August 2016 in the Natural Reserve of Garganta de los Infiernos (Cáceres). To calculate the erosion, the multi-criteria analysis is carried out from the RUSLE. Once all calculations were performed, there was a considerable increase in sediment production from 16 June 2016 (pre-fire) with an erosion of 31 T/ha·year to 16 June 2017 of 74 T/ha·year for areas of moderate fire severity, and an increase from 11 T/ha·year in 2016 to 70 T/ha·year for areas with a very high severity. From the NDVI, it was possible to verify that this also affected the recovery of post-fire vegetation, decreasing the NDVI index 0.36 in areas of moderate severity and 0.53 in areas of very high severity.

Remote sensing based assessment of hazards from glacier lake outbursts: a case study in the Swiss Alps

2002 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 316-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Huggel ◽  
Andreas Kääb ◽  
Wilfried Haeberli ◽  
Philippe Teysseire ◽  
Frank Paul
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Hazard Assessment ◽  
Swiss Alps ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Runout Distance ◽  
Hazard Potential ◽  
Empirical Relations ◽  
Scale Levels ◽  
Remote Sensing Techniques

Glacier lakes are a common phenomenon in high mountain areas. Outbursts from glacier lakes have repeatedly caused the loss of human lives as well as severe damage to local infrastructure. In several high mountain ranges around the world, a grave uncertainty about the hazard potential of glacier lakes still exists, especially with respect to the effects of accelerating rates of glacier retreat as a consequence of atmospheric warming. Area-wide detection and modeling of glacier lake hazard potentials is, therefore, a major challenge. In this study, an approach integrating three scale levels allows for the progressive focus on critical glacier lakes. Remote sensing methods for application in glacier lake hazard assessment are presented, and include channel indexing, data fusion, and change detection. Each method matches the requirements of a certain scale level. For estimating potential disaster amplitudes, assessments must be made of maximum discharge and runout distance of outbursts floods and debris flows. Existing empirical relations are evaluated and complementary ones as derived from available data are proposed. Tests with observations from a recent outburst event from a moraine-dammed lake in the Swiss Alps show the basic applicability of the proposed techniques and the usefulness of empirical relations for first hazard assessments. In particular, the observed runout distance of the debris flow resulting from the outburst does not exceed the empirically estimated maximum runout distance. A list of decision criteria and related remote sensing techniques are discussed in conclusion. Such a list is an essential tool for evaluating the hazard potential of a lake. A systematic application of remote sensing based methods for glacier lake hazard assessment is recommended.Key words: glacier lake outburst, hazard potential, remote sensing, empirical parameters.

Mountain Ash

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Lindenmayer ◽  
David Blair ◽  
Lachlan McBurney ◽  
Sam Banks
Keyword(s):  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Fire Severity ◽  
Fire Dynamics ◽  
High Severity ◽  
Fire Environment ◽  
Arboreal Marsupials ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Mountain Ash ◽  
Old Trees ◽  
Very High

Mountain Ash draws together exciting new findings on the effects of fire and on post-fire ecological dynamics following the 2009 wildfires in the Mountain Ash forests of the Central Highlands of Victoria. The book integrates data on forests, carbon, fire dynamics and other factors, building on 6 years of high-quality, multi-faceted research coupled with 25 years of pre-fire insights. Topics include: the unexpected effects of fires of varying severity on populations of large old trees and their implications for the dynamics of forest ecosystems; relationships between forest structure, condition and age and their impacts on fire severity; relationships between logging and fire severity; the unexpectedly low level of carbon stock losses from burned forests, including those burned at very high severity; impacts of fire at the site and landscape levels on arboreal marsupials; persistence of small mammals and birds on burned sites, including areas subject to high-severity fire, and its implications for understanding how species in this group exhibit post-fire recovery patterns. With spectacular images of the post-fire environment, Mountain Ash will be an important reference for scientists and students with interests in biodiversity, forests and fire.

scholarly journals Slope Activity Analysis in the Rogun Catchment Area, Tajikistan, using Remote Sensing Techniques

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Jones ◽  
Andrea Manconi ◽  
Alexander Strom
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Catchment Area ◽  
Surface Displacement ◽  
Tien Shan ◽  
Slope Failures ◽  
Ground Acceleration ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Hazard Potential ◽  
Slope Instabilities ◽  
Remote Sensing Techniques

<p>The stability and lifetime of construction projects in mountain areas are strongly dependent on local slope activity. Hydropower projects in particular are often affected and endangered by landslide damming and flood wave generation due to slope failures, and thus extensive studies of ground surface instability are vital to assess associated hazards. The Rogun Hydropower Project HPP located in Tajikistan in the Vakhsh – Surkhob River network is currently under construction. The site lies within the seismically active Tien Shan and Pamir Mountain ranges of Central Asia and in particular the Peter the First Range. This region is marked by extreme topography, steep slopes and extensive valley networks and has experienced large and catastrophic slope failures in the past, of which a multitude have been triggered by earthquakes of magnitude M≥4. Co-seismic failures are thus common in the area and present a high geotechnical hazard; however, to date no information on active slope instabilities in its catchment area exists.</p><p>Here we present an inventory of slope instabilities in the Rogun Dam catchment area based on optical and synthetic aperture radar differential interferometry (DInSAR) remote sensing techniques. Sentinel-1 multi–temporal differential interferograms are generated for summer periods of 2016 – 2018 to detect surface displacements. Slope velocities are estimated based on a comparison between differential interferograms, while landslide types are identified based on a geomorphological classification. A likelihood analysis is developed to understand the state of activity of slopes and provide a semi-quantitative confidence thereof. The collected data is subsequently integrated to perform spatial and statistical analyses in order to perform a proximity analysis, assess a co-seismic link and evaluate the damming hazard potential to the Rogun HPP. Results show that a clear majority of detected features are located within 10 km of major faults and in zones of high peak ground acceleration, indicating a potential seismic influence or triggering. Some active slopes show an increase in surface displacement after a particular earthquake event and equally suggest a potential link. Moreover, we developed a damming hazard analysis for slopes detected as active in Sentinel-1 differential interferograms, considering the likelihood of movements, their distance to rivers and faults, as well as estimated volume and velocity per year. The results indicate that a total of 29.6 % of all features constitute a high damming hazard potential in case of catastrophic failure, with 4.5 % located within 1 km of the Rogun Dam reservoir. Although many potential sites are not directly on the slopes rising above the future reservoir, hazardous locations in the catchment upstream pose a threat due to possibility of significant outburst floods in case of the dammed lake outburst.</p>

scholarly journals Changes in vegetation cover on Stara planina: Towards sustainable management of ski resorts in sensitive areas

2015 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Potic ◽  
Marko Joksimovic ◽  
Rajko Golic
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Sustainable Management ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Landsat 8 ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Ski Resorts ◽  
Landsat 7 ◽  
Multispectral Analysis

Tourism is an indicator and the consequence of the development of many countries. Among the priority areas of the tourism strategy are high mountain areas with complex ecosystems. Mountain tourism in Serbia, as well as continental country is one of the leading forms of tourism through various projects stimulated by the state. In the last ten years, build up and expand the ski slopes of Stara planina in eastern Serbia, leading to various, mostly negative changes in the environment. This paper analyzes the changes in the forest areas of the site Babin Zub in years 2000 and 2013, using satellite imagery (Landsat 7 and Landsat 8) and remote sensing software. We used unsupervised multispectral analysis resolution 30 m and obtained data on forest areas. The aim is to draw attention to the change of vegetation cover and degradation of forest areas. Following to the experiences of the world's ski resorts, the paper presents the opportunities and examples of restoration of ski runs, and sustainable forest management in the studied highland area.

scholarly journals Remote sensing techniques to assess active fire characteristics and post-fire effects

2006 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leigh B. Lentile ◽  
Zachary A. Holden ◽  
Alistair M. S. Smith ◽  
Michael J. Falkowski ◽  
Andrew T. Hudak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Fire Severity ◽  
Fire Behavior ◽  
Fire Effects ◽  
Ecological Effects ◽  
Fire Intensity ◽  
Active Fire ◽  
Post Fire Effects ◽  
Remote Sensing Techniques ◽  
Fire Characteristics

Space and airborne sensors have been used to map area burned, assess characteristics of active fires, and characterize post-fire ecological effects. Confusion about fire intensity, fire severity, burn severity, and related terms can result in the potential misuse of the inferred information by land managers and remote sensing practitioners who require unambiguous remote sensing products for fire management. The objective of the present paper is to provide a comprehensive review of current and potential remote sensing methods used to assess fire behavior and effects and ecological responses to fire. We clarify the terminology to facilitate development and interpretation of comprehensible and defensible remote sensing products, present the potential and limitations of a variety of approaches for remotely measuring active fires and their post-fire ecological effects, and discuss challenges and future directions of fire-related remote sensing research.

scholarly journals Evaluating and monitoring of changes in the environmental elements by using remote sensing techniques in Iraq

2018 ◽  
Vol 162 ◽  
pp. 03033
Author(s):  
Hussein Al-Tameemi
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Disaster Management ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Systematic Understanding ◽  
Remote Sensing Techniques ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Current Guidelines ◽  
Very High

The primary aim of project highlight was to E&M a universally-applicable suite of elements and techniques that allow remote sensing techniques to the E&M-environmental changes and human interventions and the impact of disaster management systems for the period (2010-2015). The framework allows evaluators to monitor changes in a manner that is rapid, independent and reliable. Such a pattern is required to promote contribution and transparency towards a more systematic understanding of the process of E&M. The factors are based on the use of Very High-Resolution Optical Satellite Imagery and have been developed to fit existing change approaches, such as the In-Disaster Needs Assessment-IDNA, and the Affected Cluster Framework. The elements encompass a range of environmental, climate, economic, health, physical and social factors, which can be analysed to provide a holistic representation of the E&M changes process. The paper begins by addressing the need for a E&M framework and by reviewing current guidelines and systems. Which are continuously developed in this case study. Recommendations are made on: 1- How to use disaster management systems; 2- Which elements should be monitored; and 3- How they can be evaluated, drawing on the experience of environmental scientific researcher, and feedback by the evaluators’ academics.

scholarly journals Very-high-resolution mapping of river-immersed topography by remote sensing

2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 403-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Feurer ◽  
Jean-Stéphane Bailly ◽  
Christian Puech ◽  
Yann Le Coarer ◽  
Alain A. Viau
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Aerial Image ◽  
Depth Measurement ◽  
Very High Spatial Resolution ◽  
Remote Sensing Techniques ◽  
Logarithmic Relationship ◽  
Ground Penetrating ◽  
Very High

Remote sensing has been used to map river bathymetry for several decades. Non-contact methods are necessary in several cases: inaccessible rivers, large-scale depth mapping, very shallow rivers. The remote sensing techniques used for river bathymetry are reviewed. Frequently, these techniques have been developed for marine environment and have then been transposed to riverine environments. These techniques can be divided into two types: active remote sensing, such as ground penetrating radar and bathymetric lidar; or passive remote sensing, such as through-water photogrammetry and radiometric models. This last technique — which consists of finding a logarithmic relationship between river depth and image values — appears to be the most used. Fewer references exist for the other techniques, but lidar is an emerging technique. For each depth measurement method, we detail the physical principles and then a review of the results obtained in the field. This review shows a lack of data for very shallow rivers, where a very high spatial resolution is needed. Moreover, the cost related to aerial image acquisition is often huge. Hence we propose an application of two techniques, radiometric models and through-water photogrammetry, with very- high-resolution passive optical imagery, light platforms, and off-the-shelf cameras. We show that, in the case of the radiometric models, measurement is possible with a spatial filtering of about 1 m and a homogeneous river bottom. In contrast, with through-water photogrammetry, fine ground resolution and bottom textures are necessary.

scholarly journals In Situ Hyperspectral Remote Sensing for Monitoring of Alpine Trampled and Recultivated Species

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlena Kycko ◽  
Bogdan Zagajewski ◽  
Samantha Lavender ◽  
Anca Dabija
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Fluorescence Analysis ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Monitoring Methods ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Fluorescence Measurements ◽  
Mountain Grasslands ◽  
Tatra National Park

Vegetation, through its condition, reflects the properties of the environment. Heterogeneous alpine ecosystems play a critical role in global monitoring systems, but due to low accessibility, cloudy conditions, and short vegetation periods, standard monitoring methods cannot be applied comprehensively. Hyperspectral tools offer a variety of methods based on narrow-band data, but before extrapolation to an airborne or satellite scale, they must be verified using plant biometrical variables. This study aims to assess the condition of alpine sward dominant species (Agrostis rupestris, Festuca picta, and Luzula alpino-pilosa) of the UNESCO Man&Biosphere Tatra National Park (TPN) where the high mountain grasslands are strongly influenced by tourists. Data were analyzed for trampled, reference, and recultivated polygons. The field-obtained hyperspectral properties were verified using ground measured photosynthetically active radiation, chlorophyll content, fluorescence, and evapotranspiration. Statistically significant changes in terms of cellular structures, chlorophyll, and water content in the canopy were detected. Lower values for the remote sensing indices were observed for trampled plants (about 10–15%). Species in recultivated areas were characterized by a similar, or sometimes improved, spectral properties than the reference polygons; confirmed by fluorescence measurements (Fv/Fm). Overall, the fluorescence analysis and remote sensing tools confirmed the suitability of such methods for monitoring species in remote mountain areas, and the general condition of these grasslands was determined as good.

Analysis of remote sensing and in situ datasets to estimate spatial precipitation in high mountain areas: case study Cordillera Blanca, Peru

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edwin Loarte ◽  
Katy Medina ◽  
Eduardo Villavicencio ◽  
Hairo León ◽  
Waldo Lavado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
Coefficient Of Determination ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Precipitation Data ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Spatial Gradients ◽  
Mountain Environments

<p>The Santa River basin has a climatology that is characterized by strong spatial gradients in precipitation. The influence of topography becomes increasingly important when smaller time scales are considered and convective and orographic processes have a more profound influence. This makes its estimation complex and of relevance for research on precipitation estimation in high mountain environments.</p><p>This study focused on estimating precipitation for the Santa basin located north of the capital of Peru, assessing spatial patterns and temporal variation. Precipitation products were used at a daily temporal resolution obtained from remote sensing datasets, including CHIRPS, PERSIANN-CCS, GPM and PISCO, altitude and vegetation products as NDVI-BOKU and GDEM. Also ground-based precipitation data from weather stations were collected from 35 meteorological stations (2012 -2019).</p><p>The in situ precipitation data was reviewed, cleaned and quality-checked for processing. The following operations were applied to the raster data: Gaussian filter, resampling at 1km, temporal homogenization (monthly) by accumulating the precipitation products until obtaining the monthly values, and averaging. Afterwards, a linear regression model was built based in which various of the remote sensing datasets served as predictions. The model was validated using the mean square error and the coefficient of determination.</p><p>The developed regression model provides a better estimate of the precipitation than the individual precipitation dataset. Overall, the resulting model performs relatively low in the dry season (May-September) but improves considerably in the wet season (October-April), with correlations that go up to 0.95. The outcomes of this research can be used to improve the estimation of precipitation patterns in high mountain regions with complex orography.</p>

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