Ukrainian society of geodesy and cartography 30 years

The articles briefly present information on the main achievements and scope of the Ukrainian Society of Geodesy and Cartography for thirty years of existence.

Monitoring coniferous forests using remote sensing data (on the example of Tukhlyanske forestry)

The purpose of the work is to consider the state of coniferous forests of the Tukhlyanske forestry of the Precarpathian region. Changes in land cover, pollution of air, water and soil, and deterioration of their quality, loss of biological diversity occur for forest ecosystems at the regional and global levels. Climate change, rising temperatures and declining rainfall are provoking the development of pests that are most common in coniferous forests. Remote sensing technologies allow to create forest monitoring systems, including determination of plantation structure, detection of changes in forests due to fires, deforestation, environmental problems, in particular forest drying. The method of detecting changes in forests is based on the use of high-resolution space imagery and on the processing of images obtained from unmanned aerial vehicles to identify healthy, dried and partially damaged by drying conifers in test areas. The result of the study is an image obtained by the method of controlled classification. The accuracy of the classification depends on the choice of signatures, and for that the UAV images are used. Scientific novelty and practical significance. A method for the identification of different states of coniferous forests using the method of controlled classification by the algorithm of maximum probability is proposed. The choice of class signatures is fundamental to solving the problem. The technique can be applied in various structures of forestry

Construction of STHA-model of geometric geoid on the Lviv region area

Nowadays there is a need to modernize the high system of Ukraine, which requires its integration in the European Vertical Reference System EVRS. In this regard there is also a need to build a regional model of the geoid on the territory of our country, which would be well consistent with the model of the European geoid EGG2015. To obtain the optimal model, it is necessary to use both gravimetric and geometric data. In this case, the model is called gravimetric-geometric. This approach is used both when building a model of the European geoid and when building geoid models on the territory of different European countries. Aim. The purpose of this work is to build a regional geometric STHA-model of the geoid on the Lviv region area and assess its accuracy. In the future it is planned to build a gravimetric STHA-model of the geoid in the same area and compare the results. Methods. To build a geometric STHA-model of the geoid on the Lviv region area, the heights of the geometric geoid, obtained from GNSS-observations at the points of SGN of I, II and III classes, were used. RMS error of determination of geodetic heights , obtained from GNSS leveling in static mode, did not exceed 15 mm. 205 values of the calculated heights of the geoid were used to build the geoid model. 8 values were not involved in the construction of the model, because they were used for an independent assessment of model accuracy. Results. The regional model of geoid within the “Remove–Compute–Restore” procedure with introduction of regularization parameter is obteined. RMS error of the obtained model, calculated on the basis of the data used in its construction, is 12 mm, and on other independent data is 25 mm. Scientific novelty and practical significance. For the first time STHA-functions were tested to build a regional geoid model. The geometric model of the geoid on the Lviv region are is calculated and the accuracy of the obtained model is estimated on the basis of dependent and independent data. The RMS error of the obtained model was about 2 cm, which corresponds to the accuracy of GNSS-measurements. The obtained model can be used as a transformation field on the Lviv region area.

Using GIS technologies for the avalance path as a tourist atraction object

The purpose of research. The current state of the tourism industry is characterized by growing demand for tourism services by using GIS technologies and increasing attraction for tourism. Specialists in this field are increasingly using geographic information technology to solve various problems of tourism. This article represents studies and possibilities of comprehensive information technology use in the field of tourism, such as, using of the avalanche pass for a tourist attraction. The information obtained from GIS technologies may have been used not only for travel agencies, but also to be useful for forestry workers but also (because it is an avalanche), should be taken by correspondent rescue services in the winter. Therefore, these studies currently remain relevant for scientific and practical issues. The goal of the work. Show how GIS technology performs the functions of spatial analysis and specific user tasks, such as, data processing, mapping, visualization of tourist routes and areas, etc. Thus, the most common usage of geographic information technologies for the formation of databases and filling mapping atributes about the tourist object and infrastructure of the tourist destination. Improving the informativeness is achieved by visualizing the various characteristics of the object, that is showing the avalanche area, avalanche path and power, which led to the destruction of the forest, and futher on. Method. A tourist route passing through the village of Chernyk, Nadvirna district, Ivano-Frankivsk region, north of Mount Polensky (Polenskaya) was used for this study. The research in this article is based on the use of the extremely destructive snow avalanche that came down from Polensky Mountain in the Ukrainian Carpathians on March 24, 2006 and led to destruction in a large part of the forest in the Gorgany Nature Reserve. Geoinformation modeling methods were used on the territory of the avalanche slope from Polensky Mountain. Results. A digital terrain model of the study area was created. Geotourism route was developed within Gorgan, also some additional studies were performed related to detailed mapping and surface modeling in terms of route safety. Experimental studies were performed based on materials (DEM) provided by the Research Institute, Geodesy and Cartography , also the SURFAR software package was used. On its way, the avalanche destroys not only a large amount of forest (lumber), but also young trees. By cutting and capturing the soil and forest, the avalanche carries all this material (vegetation, top soil, rocks, debris)to the foot of the mountain and changing the terrain as well. According to our estimates, the forest losses caused by this avalanche were as follows: about 2,500 trees were destroyed, or 1,575 cubic meters of lamber. Different models were created for Mount Polenska, which are shown in the relevant figures. The obtained visual images that will be interesting for tourists and enhance the attractiveness of the object. Scientific novelty and practical value. The performed researches doesn’t have only descriptive nature, but also can be applied for the rescue service to protect of tourists on the route. The development of modern transport information systems and the creation of tourist maps and guides are another goals of this research. The creation and accurate mapping of tourist routes with the use of digital electronic maps is especially important, as the existing cartographic material is very inaccurate and the information is outdated. The use of geographic information technologies in tourism will also expand to solve specific engineering problems related to tourism. In addition, the images shown can serve as a warning of possible dangers. Conclusions. Thus, the use of geological objects in the tourism industry is promising, specially for mountainous and upland areas, which are very attractive for tourism. Because the formation of geotourism routes on the basis of correspondent and trusted geological data, and also involves a detailed study of geolocations, the route of the group, taking into account the safety aspects of travel. These tasks are efficiently implemented with the help of geographic information systems and technologies.

Refractive lengthening of signal trajectories in satellite laser ranging

Aim. The aim of this work is to improve the accuracy of methods for calculating the tropospheric delay caused by the refractive lengthening of the satellite laser rangefinder signal trajectory on the transatmospheric path. Method. One of the main factors that reduce the accuracy of measuring the distance to artificial Earth satellites with satellite laser rangefinders is the influence of the inhomogeneous Earth troposphere on the rangefinder propagation characteristics. This effect leads to an additional signal delay on the measured path, firstly, due to the differences in its propagation speed in a non-uniform environment from the speed of light in vacuum, and secondly, due to the refractive lengthening of the signal trajectory due to the effect of refraction, which is a result of this inhomogeneity. The refractive lengthening is the difference between the real length of a signal trajectory (with the tropospheric part curved by the refraction) and the distance from the observation point to the satellite in a straight line. The calculations are based on use of the integral form of the geometric optics’ ray equation. With the help of well-known quadrature formulas, this integral form is reduced to a system of algebraic equations connecting the elongation due to refraction and the length of the tropospheric part of the trajectory. The main idea of the new method is the refusal of the widespread use of simplified analytical models of the tropospheric profile when calculating the ratio for the signal trajectory lengthening. In the proposed variant, this ratio is given as an integrated function along the trajectory for values that take into account the actual state of the tropospheric profile at the time of measuring the distance to the satellite. Results. Relationships are obtained for the refractive lengthening and the length of the tropospheric part of the trajectory, which depend on the integral values along the path, namely, the angles of the terrestrial and photogrammetric refraction. Scientific novelty and practical importance. The proposed relations make it possible to determine the refractive elongation through the angles of refraction, which take into account the actual state of the inhomogeneous tropospheric layer for the observed satellite of the Earth immediately at the time of measurements.

Application of blockchain technology for geospatial data protection and management

The aim of the work is to analyze the essence of the blockchain system and its architecture. Application of this ystem for geospatial data management, for solving mapping and land management. The uniqueness of the use of blockchain technologies eliminates the falsification of information in electronic registers by storing information “blocks”. The system does not have a single storage location. The data register is stored simultaneously for all participants in the system and is simultaneously updated with changes, which minimizes the risk of information loss. At the moment, we can trace such a global trend as the use of blockchain technology in various industries, because it affects most industries. We have the opportunity to use blockchain technology from our usual banking operations to real-time finance and real estate. Today, this trend integrates into other industries, which are actively developing and implementing numerous startups. It is safe to say that the blockchain is creating a revolution and today it can be compared with the ingenious invention of the XX century – the Internet. This technology gives us a completely new, different approach to storing information and conducting transactions by establishing trust rules. Due to this, this technology becomes more suitable because it has requirements with a high degree of security.

Current state of development of agricultural land assessment methods

Purpose of this research is to improve the methods of valuation of agricultural land. Today, the moratorium on the purchase and sale of agricultural land has been lifted and sale of agricultural land is increasingly raised and therefore the problem of establishing an objective (market) price for agricultural land is relevant, because increasing the level of their use is an objective necessity and condition for the gradual development of society [Hubar Yu., 2020]. Methodology. A significant contribution to the study of the theory and methods of land valuation was made by A. S. Danilenko, Yu. F. Dekhtyarenko, Yu. P. Hubar, A. G. Martin, M. G. Stupen, A. M. Tretyak, G. V. Cherevko. Instead, the formation and improvement of methodological bases for the monetary valuation of agricultural land paid attention to G. D. Gutsulyk, D. S. Dobriak, О. S. Dorosh, O. F. Kovalishin. Emphasis was placed on the shortcomings of the economic assessment conducted in the Soviet period I. K. Bystryakov, S. I. Doroguntsov, Hubar Yu. P., A. M. Tretyak, M. A. Hvesyk and others. However, despite the considerable amount of scientific research in which the land was considered a means of production, tools and objects of labor (which in the current environment is insufficient), little studied and debatable are the value of land as a whole system with all its properties. This is due to the fact that agricultural land is mostly assessed differently according to the available dominant indicators (yield, value of gross output). This does not build a hierarchy on the importance of other indicators. The complexity and versatility of the problem of land valuation require the continuation and deepening of scientific research in this area. Results. The study is based on the general principles of economic and mathematical modeling, mathematical statistics, econometrics, basic and applied research. The information base of the research consisted of scientific works of domestic and foreign scientists in the field of real estate appraisal, land and city cadastres, statistics, ecology. The issue of land pricing is complex and multifaceted, the development of the land market depends on its solution. Therefore, further research should be aimed at improving the valuation of agricultural land. This process should be based on state service, taking into account the economic and political situation. This will ensure after the lifting of the moratorium on the disposal of agricultural land, the creation of a competitive environment in the land market, the objectivity of the assessment and increase the flow of funds to the state budget. Scientific novelty and practical significance. The performed researches will allow to improve the quality of determining the market value of agricultural lands for further development of land reform in Ukraine. The most important results of the study are: generalization of scientific provisions for the implementation of land valuation works and methodological approaches to determining the value of agricultural land; highlighting the disadvantages and advantages of modern methods of agricultural land valuation; proving the importance of taking into account environmental factors in the assessment of land arising from the activities of agricultural production; substantiation of the need to assess land plots with a set of physical properties of soils and spatial conditions of their implementation; development of methods for assessing the normative yield of grain crops on the basis of dynamic and statistical simulation modeling and software for its spatial implementation. It is established that the use of market-based prices will allow to make informed management decisions during the implementation of land reform in Ukraine. Individuals and legal entities on the basis of the proposed developments will be able to assess the investment attractiveness of agricultural land.

Method of mapping of the national parks and protected areas of Ukraine using GIS technology

Aim. The aim of the work is to create a thematic map of National Parks and protected areas of Ukraine using GIS technologies. The objectives of the work are to propose a technological scheme of mapping of National parks and protected areas of Ukraine using GIS technologies and to describe the methodology of this mapping. Method. The first step was to search for input data and analyze them. Since the data was obtained from free online services, their geometric correction did not make sense, as they were already bound in the coordinate system WGS_1984. The following 11 layers were then vectorized: nature reserves, biosphere reserves, nature parks, regional landscape parks, reserves, natural monuments, protected tracts, botanical gardens, dendrological parks, zoological parks, parks-monuments of landscape art. An attribute database with the following structure is created for each vector layer: Name – name of the protected area, Oblast – location (region of Ukraine), Area – area of the territory (ha), Type – type of protected area according to the classification. Different symbols of protected objects are designed for each vector layer. In the future, it is planned to compile an atlas of National Parks and Protected Areas of Ukraine based on the created GIS. Results. As a result of this goal, we obtained a thematic map of National Parks and protected areas of Ukraine, which consists of 11 vector layers according to the classification of nature reserves of Ukraine and contains 1204 objects for which the corresponding attribute tables have been created. Practical significance. The practical significance of this work is quite high, because orderly, systematized spatial and attributive information will: help in resolving issues of land management and recreation; improving management efficiency; to promote the provision and development of scientific activity; to improve the information and educational functioning of the objects of the nature reserve fund, etc.

Anniversary XXV ISTC “Geoforum”

The main events in the work of the XXV anniversary International Scientific and Technical Conference “Geoforum”, which took place on June 9–11, 2021 in Lviv – Bryukhovychi – Yavoriv, are covered. Preparation and holding of the conference, grand opening, work of plenary sessions, scientific sections and presentations, a powerful exhibition of new technologies and equipment, unique measuring systems, software products, etc. are considered. The state and prospects of development of geodetic, topographic, cartographic and cadastral works are estimated.

Results of the software application for determination elements of external orientation of digital images of topographic aerial surveying from UAV

One of the problems with the use of UAVs for high-precision mapping is the inability to install on these devices an accurate stabilization system to determine the angular EEO images, so there is a need to develop methods for accurate location of EEO. To date, there are many developments in the definition of elements of EEO. However, there are a number of issues in their practical implementation. This applies primarily to attempts to improve the accuracy of obtaining the coordinates of the points of objects on the ground. Aim. Investigate the possibility of the proposed algorithm for determining the elements of EEO of digital images obtained by aerial surveying from an UAV. Methodology. Based on the condition of collinearity, two types of functions are determined for which the minimum is searched. This process of determining the elements of the EEO is performed using software. A diverse set of programs makes it possible to implement such a search, and a reasonable initial approximation of the EEA and provides a definition of their optimal parameters [Hlotov, 2020; Zavarzin, 2013; Berezina, 2018; Kim Hon Ir, 2017]. Results. The proposed approach was tested on the corresponding digital images obtained by aerial surveying from UAVs at checkpoints, which made it possible to justify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The specified RMSE had the following values: = 0.15 m, = 0.18 m, = 0.40 m. After specifying the steel error = 0.06 m, = 0.03 m, = 0.25 m. The analysis of the unknown results confirms the improvement of the accuracy of coordinate determination by specifying the values of RMS relative to those obtained in the software package Models and the proposed algorithm. Scientific novelty and practical significance. An algorithm has been developed that makes it possible to determine the value of EEO using software without the use of special software for digital image processing. First of all, it makes it possible to improve the accuracy of EEO determination for digital images obtained from UAVs and allows to significantly expand the range of tasks using UAVs.