scholarly journals The Forest Line Mapper: A Semi-Automated Tool for Mapping Linear Disturbances in Forests

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 4176
Author(s):  
Gustavo Lopes Queiroz ◽  
Gregory J. McDermid ◽  
Mir Mustafizur Rahman ◽  
Julia Linke
Keyword(s):  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Software Tool ◽  
Canopy Height ◽  
Linear Features ◽  
Linear Feature ◽  
Ground Conditions ◽  
Spatial Attributes ◽  
Large Application ◽  
Automated Software ◽  
Forest Line

Forest land-use planning and restoration requires effective tools for mapping and attributing linear disturbances such as roads, trails, and asset corridors over large areas. Most existing linear-feature databases are generated by heads-up digitizing. While suitable for cartographic purposes, these datasets often lack the fine spatial details and multiple attributes required for more demanding analytical applications. To address this need, we developed the Forest Line Mapper (FLM), a semi-automated software tool for mapping and attributing linear features using LiDAR-derived canopy height models. Accuracy assessments conducted in the boreal forest of Alberta, Canada showed that the FLM reliably predicts both the center line (polyline) and footprint (extent polygons) of a variety of linear-feature types including roads, pipelines, seismic lines, and power lines. Our analysis showed that FLM outputs were consistently more accurate than publicly available datasets produced by human photo-interpreters, and that the tool can be reliably deployed across large application areas. In addition to accurately delineating linear features, the FLM generates a variety of spatial attributes associated with line geometry and vegetation characteristics from input canopy height data. Our statistical evaluation indicates that spatial attributes generated by the FLM may be useful for studying and classifying linear features based on disturbance type and ground conditions. The FLM is open-source and freely available and is aimed to assist researchers and land managers working in forested environments everywhere.

Environmental geology maps of Bath and the surrounding area for engineers and planners

1987 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 221-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Forster ◽  
P. R. N. Hobbs ◽  
R. J. Wyatt ◽  
D. C. Entwisle
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Field Survey ◽  
Slope Angle ◽  
Surrounding Area ◽  
British Geological Survey ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Ground Conditions ◽  
Fuller’S Earth

AbstractIn March 1984 the British Geological Survey commenced an environmental geological study of parts of west Wiltshire and south east Avon for the Department of the Environment. The objective of this study was to collect the available geological data relevant to the area, and to present them as a series of thematic maps accompanied by a descriptive report and a database/archive of the data used.The output is intended to be used by land-use planners. It is designed simultaneously to be understandable by people not trained in geology and yet to contain detailed information required by specialists concerned with the environment and its development. The 14 maps which were produced describe themes which include solid lithostratigraphy, drift deposits, the inferred distribution of Great Oolite Freestone, the inferred distribution of fuller’s earth, groundwater, ground conditions in relation to groundwater, geotechnical properties of bedrock and superficial deposits, landslipped and cambered strata, distribution of slope angle, and mining.Although the task was primarily a desk study, it was found necessary to carry out a small amount of field survey to re-interpret the foundered strata to the north-west of Bath. This re-survey has been presented in a style consistent with the mapping of the rest of the study area. A fifteenth map showing the result of the re-interpretation of the foundered strata was produced as a supplement to the main report.This paper describes the methods and the results of this study and comments on the implications of the technique for land-use planning.

scholarly journals DETECTING LINEAR FEATURES BY SPATIAL POINT PROCESSES

2016 ◽  
Vol XLI-B3 ◽  
pp. 841-848
Author(s):  
Dengfeng Chai ◽  
Alena Schmidt ◽  
Christian Heipke
Keyword(s):  
Point Process ◽  
Feature Detection ◽  
Point Processes ◽  
Spatial Point Process ◽  
Linear Features ◽  
Spatial Point Processes ◽  
Linear Feature ◽  
Spatial Point ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Optimal Linear

This paper proposes a novel approach for linear feature detection. The contribution is twofold: a novel model for spatial point processes and a new method for linear feature detection. It describes a linear feature as a string of points, represents all features in an image as a configuration of a spatial point process, and formulates feature detection as finding the optimal configuration of a spatial point process. Further, a prior term is proposed to favor straight linear configurations, and a data term is constructed to superpose the points on linear features. The proposed approach extracts straight linear features in a global framework. The paper reports ongoing work. As demonstrated in preliminary experiments, globally optimal linear features can be detected.

scholarly journals DETECTING LINEAR FEATURES BY SPATIAL POINT PROCESSES

2016 ◽  
Vol XLI-B3 ◽  
pp. 841-848
Author(s):  
Dengfeng Chai ◽  
Alena Schmidt ◽  
Christian Heipke
Keyword(s):  
Point Process ◽  
Feature Detection ◽  
Point Processes ◽  
Spatial Point Process ◽  
Linear Features ◽  
Spatial Point Processes ◽  
Linear Feature ◽  
Spatial Point ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Optimal Linear

This paper proposes a novel approach for linear feature detection. The contribution is twofold: a novel model for spatial point processes and a new method for linear feature detection. It describes a linear feature as a string of points, represents all features in an image as a configuration of a spatial point process, and formulates feature detection as finding the optimal configuration of a spatial point process. Further, a prior term is proposed to favor straight linear configurations, and a data term is constructed to superpose the points on linear features. The proposed approach extracts straight linear features in a global framework. The paper reports ongoing work. As demonstrated in preliminary experiments, globally optimal linear features can be detected.

scholarly journals Test problems composition methodology of different degrees of difficulties for the "Computer graphics" discipline

2021 ◽  
Vol 264 ◽  
pp. 03007
Author(s):  
Umida Nasritdinova
Keyword(s):  
Computer Graphics ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Software Tool ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
System Structure ◽  
Test Problems ◽  
Learning Modules ◽  
New Information ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Automated Software

Improving the effectiveness of education in the teaching of computer graphics is the organization of the educational process using new information and communication technologies, as well as quality control of the learning modules. With this in mind, the article provides a theoretical analysis of the methodology of compiling test questions from computer graphics and some related graphic disciplines. The relationship of factor theory to the graphical sciences has been identified. As a result, the three-level test task system structure based on specific formulas and their factors has been studied so far. Also, the system of assessment of students in four categories was tested using a general automated software tool for questionnaires and test control. Based on the results, mathematical statistical analysis was performed, and the range of variation of the four categories was shown.

scholarly journals A new approach to mapping permafrost and change incorporating uncertainties in ground conditions and climate projections

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 2177-2194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Zhang ◽  
I. Olthof ◽  
R. Fraser ◽  
S. A. Wolfe
Keyword(s):  
Land Cover ◽  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Computation Time ◽  
Climate Projections ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Climate Scenarios ◽  
Large Area ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Ground Conditions

Abstract. Spatially detailed information on permafrost distribution and change with climate is important for land use planning, infrastructure development, and environmental assessments. However, the required soil and surficial geology maps in the North are coarse, and projected climate scenarios vary widely. Considering these uncertainties, we propose a new approach to mapping permafrost distribution and change by integrating remote sensing data, field measurements, and a process-based model. Land cover types from satellite imagery are used to capture the general land conditions and to improve the resolution of existing permafrost maps. For each land cover type, field observations are used to estimate the probabilities of different ground conditions. A process-based model is used to quantify the evolution of permafrost for each ground condition under three representative climate scenarios (low, medium, and high warming). From the model results, the probability of permafrost occurrence and the most likely permafrost conditions are determined. We apply this approach at 20 m resolution to a large area in Northwest Territories, Canada. Mapped permafrost conditions are in agreement with field observations and other studies. The data requirements, model robustness, and computation time are reasonable, and this approach may serve as a practical means to mapping permafrost and changes at high resolution in other regions.

ON π-CALCULUS SEMANTICS AS A FORMAL BASIS FOR UML ACTIVITY DIAGRAMS

2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (04) ◽  
pp. 541-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
VITUS S. W. LAM
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Foundation ◽  
Formal Analysis ◽  
Software Tool ◽  
Activity Diagrams ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Formal Basis ◽  
Π Calculus ◽  
Uml Activity Diagrams ◽  
Automated Software ◽  
Execution Semantics

UML activity diagrams encompass a set of notational elements for capturing the dynamic behavior of a system. Although the graphical syntax of UML activity diagrams is well-defined in the UML documentation, there is still not a commonly accepted approach for reasoning about UML activity diagrams. In this paper, we present a formalization of the execution semantics of UML activity diagrams using the π-calculus. The formalization provides a theoretical foundation and formal analysis for UML activity diagrams, as well as a starting point for building automated software tool.

scholarly journals Habitat Associations of Bats in an Agricultural Landscape: Linear Features Versus Open Habitats

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Domhnall Finch ◽  
Henry Schofield ◽  
Fiona Mathews
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Agricultural Fields ◽  
Linear Features ◽  
Bat Activity ◽  
Linear Feature ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
Intensively Managed

1. Bats are important components of agricultural ecosystems. However, little is known about the extent to which bats use linear features when foraging and commuting in agricultural settings, when compared to the interior of fields. 2. As part of a large-scale citizen science project, bat detectors were placed in the centre of agricultural fields (arable and pasture) and along linear features (intensively managed hedgerows, sympathetically managed hedgerows and treelines). 3. Our results show that all 10 of the bat species groups identified were found both along linear features and in the middle of agricultural fields. Of the five species groups analysed further, all had significantly more bat activity along linear features compared to the middle of fields, except for Nyctalus noctula. However, our results showed that 29% of calls from Rhinolophus ferrumequinum were recorded in the middle of agricultural fields, compared to only 10% for Pipistrellus pipistrellus. Bat activity was more likely to be associated with treelines compared to other linear feature types. 4. Our results highlight the importance of linear feature management to bat conservation, but also the need to consider field centres during survey design and Environmental Impact Assessments.

scholarly journals EARLINET Single Calculus Chain – technical – Part 2: Calculation of optical products

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 3009-3029 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ina Mattis ◽  
Giuseppe D'Amico ◽  
Holger Baars ◽  
Aldo Amodeo ◽  
Fabio Madonna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Software Tool ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Lidar Data ◽  
Extinction Coefficients ◽  
Particle Properties ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
Temporal Averaging ◽  
Lidar Ratio ◽  
Automated Software ◽  
Comparison Exercise

Abstract. In this paper we present the automated software tool ELDA (EARLINET Lidar Data Analyzer) for the retrieval of profiles of optical particle properties from lidar signals. This tool is one of the calculus modules of the EARLINET Single Calculus Chain (SCC) which allows for the analysis of the data of many different lidar systems of EARLINET in an automated, unsupervised way. ELDA delivers profiles of particle extinction coefficients from Raman signals as well as profiles of particle backscatter coefficients from combinations of Raman and elastic signals or from elastic signals only. Those analyses start from pre-processed signals which have already been corrected for background, range dependency and hardware specific effects. An expert group reviewed all algorithms and solutions for critical calculus subsystems which are used within EARLINET with respect to their applicability for automated retrievals. Those methods have been implemented in ELDA. Since the software was designed in a modular way, it is possible to add new or alternative methods in future. Most of the implemented algorithms are well known and well documented, but some methods have especially been developed for ELDA, e.g., automated vertical smoothing and temporal averaging or the handling of effective vertical resolution in the case of lidar ratio retrievals, or the merging of near-range and far-range products. The accuracy of the retrieved profiles was tested following the procedure of the EARLINET-ASOS algorithm inter-comparison exercise which is based on the analysis of synthetic signals. Mean deviations, mean relative deviations, and normalized root-mean-square deviations were calculated for all possible products and three height layers. In all cases, the deviations were clearly below the maximum allowed values according to the EARLINET quality requirements.

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