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At least 1,189 records · Page 66

Application of remote sensing to state and regional problems

Progress is reported in the following areas: remote sensing applications to land use planning Lowndes County, applications of LANDSAT data to strip mine inventory and reclamation, white tailed deer habitat evaluation using LANDSAT data, remote sensing data analysis support system, and discrimination of unique forest habitats in potential lignite areas of Mississippi. Other projects discussed include LANDSAT change discrimination in gravel operations, environmental impact modeling for highway corridors, and discrimination of fresh water wetlands for inventory and monitoring.

Miller, W. F.↗

Microwave remote sensing of snowpack properties

Topic concerning remote sensing capabilities for providing reliable snow cover data and measurement of snow water equivalents are discussed. Specific remote sensing technqiues discussed include those in the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Rango, A.↗

Preliminary evidence for the influence of physiography and scale upon the autocorrelation function of remotely sensed data

Previously established results demonstrate that LANDSAT data are autocorrelated and can be described by a univariate linear stochastic process known as auto-regressive-integrated-moving-average model of degree 1, 0, 1 or ARIMA (1, 0, 1). This model has two coefficients of interest for interpretation phi(1) and theta(1). In a comparison of LANDSAT thematic mapper simulator (TMS) data and LANDSAT MSS data several results were established: (1) The form of the relatedness as described by this model is not dependent upon system look angle or pixel size. (2) The phi(1) coefficient increases with decreasing pixel size and increasing topographic complexity. (3) Changes in topography have a greater influence upon phi(1) than changes in land cover class. (4) The theta(1) seems to vary with the amount of atmospheric haze. These patterns of variation in phi(1) and theta(1) are potentially exploitable by the remote sensing community to yield stochastically independent sets of observations, characterize topography, and reduce the number of bytes needed to store remotely sensed data.

Labovitz, M. L.↗

Western Regional Remote Sensing Conference Proceedings, 1979

Remote sensing users from the 14 western states explained their diverse applications of LANDSAT data, discussed operational goals, and exchanged problems and solutions. In addition, conference participants stressed the need for increased cooperation among state and local governments, private industry, and universities to aid NASA's objective of transferring to user agencies the ability to operationally use remote sensing technology for resource and environmental quality management.

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Remote sensing of water quality in reservoirs and lakes in semi-arid climates

Overlake measurements using aerial cameras (remote sensing) combined with water truth collected from boats most economically provided wide-band photographs rather than precise spectra. With use of false color infrared film (400-950 nm), the reflected spectral signatures seen from hundreds to thousands of meters above the lake merged to produce various color tones. Such colors were easily and inexpensively obtained and could be recognized by lake management personnel without any prior training. The characteristic spectral signatures of various algal types were also recognizable in part by the color tone produced by remote sensing.

Anderson, H. M.↗

Applications of remote-sensing data in Alaska

Public and private agencies were introduced to the use of remotely sensed data obtained by both satellite and aircraft, and benefitted from facilities for data processing enhancement and interpretation as well as from the institute's data library. Cooperative ventures involving the performance of operational activities included assistance to the Bureau of Land Management in the suppression of wildfires; the selection of sites for power line right-of-way; the mapping of leads in sea ice; determination of portions of public lands to be allocated for small scale farming; the identification of areas for large scale farming of barley; the observation of coastal processes and sediment transport near Prudhoe Bay; the establishment of a colar infrared file of the entire state; and photomapping for geological surveys. Monitoring of the outer continental shelf environment and reindeer herds was also conducted. Institutional constraints to full utilization of satellite remote sensing in the state are explored and plans for future activites include the generation of awareness by government agencies, the training of state personnel, and improving coordination and communication with users.

Miller, J. M.↗

Appendix E: Research papers. Use of remote sensing in landscape stratification for environmental impact assessment

A refinement to the matrix approach to environmental impact assessment is to use landscape units in place of separate environmental elements in the analysis. Landscape units can be delineated by integrating remotely sensed data and available single-factor data. A remote sensing approach to landscape stratification is described and the conditions under which it is superior to other approaches that require single-factor maps are indicated. Flowcharts show the steps necessary to develop classification criteria, delineate units and a map legend, and use the landscape units in impact assessment. Application of the approach to assessing impacts of a transmission line in Montana is presented to illustrate the method.

Stanturf, J. A.↗

Why surface-truth field study is needed in remote-sensing instruction

Especially designed field studies are needed in remote sensing technology transfer courses regardless of the field work provided by the students'/trainees' major disciplines because the remote sensing discipline has unique emphases and needs. Modification of existng schedules to include field work provides the equivalent of extending the duration of the program with the added benefit of enhancing learning achievements per actual program day. The process of surface truth field instruction, levels of student capabilities and stages in the development of surface truth field studies are discussed.

Wake, W. H.↗

Design and preliminary tests of an IR-airborne LLWS remote sensing system

Recent history underscores the need for in-cockpit alerts of LLWS for takeoffs and landings. The 13-15 micron portion of the CO2 molecular spectrum can be used to remote sense LLWS in and around thunderstorms. A radiometer with a designed look-distance of about 10 km remote senses an average air temperature along a forward, horizontal path. Wind shear alerts are based on the difference between this forward air temperature and the air temperature near the aircraft. Although spectral ranging, a major design improvement of an IR LLWS alert system, is not at present feasible with noncooled detectors, it is an important technique to keep in mind, given the rapid advance in IR technology.

Caracena, F.↗

International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment, 14th, San Jose, Costa Rica, April 23-30, 1980, Proceedings. Volumes 1, 2 & 3

Papers are presented on remote sensing applications in resource monitoring and management, data classification and modeling procedures, and the use of remote sensing techniques in developing nations. The subjects of land use/land cover, soil mapping, crop identification, mapping of geological resources, renewable resource analysis, and oceanographic applications are discussed. Papers from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, the Syrian Arab Republic, the People's Republic of China, the Phillipines, Italy, Upper Volta and the United States are included.

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Soil moisture sensing with microwave techniques

Microwave approaches for the remote sensing of soil moisture are discussed, with the advantages described as follows: (1) the all-weather capability, (2) the greater penetration depth into the soil and through vegetation than with optical or infrared sensors, and (3) the large changes in the dielectric properties of soil produced by changes in water content. Both active and passive microwave approaches are discussed. The dependence of the relationship between microwave response and soil moisture on such things as soil texture, surface roughness, vegetative cover and nonuniform moisture and temperature profiles is analyzed from both the experimental and theoretical viewpoints. The dielectric properties of the soil are analyzed quantitatively, as these control the reflective and emissive properties of the soil surface, and a model for estimating a soil's dielectric properties from its texture and moisture content is also presented. Emissivity is calculated using the Fresnel equation of electromagnetic theory, and reflectivity is shown to be decreased by surface roughness, while the backscatter coefficient increases. It is demonstrated, that microwave radiometers are sensitive to soil moisture for a wide range of surface conditions, and that the longer wavelengths are best for soil moisture sensing.

Schmugge, T.↗

United Nations principles on remote sensing - Report on developments, 1970-1980

The paper deals with the efforts of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) to reach a consensus on legal principles governing the international use of remote sensing of the earth from space. The proceedings of the Working Group from 1971 to 1974 and the Legal Subcommittee from 1973 to 1980 are presented. Though the Committee has reached agreement on certain points, some key questions remain unresolved relative to dissemination of data and to the need for or method of classifying remote sensing data based on spatial resolution. An appendix of texts and draft principles worked out by COPUOS is also presented.

Mossinghoff, G. J.↗

Geometric representation methods for multi-type self-defining remote sensing data sets

Efficient and convenient representation of remote sensing data is highly important for an effective utilization. The task of merging different data types is currently dealt with by treating each case as an individual problem. A description is provided of work which is carried out to standardize the multidata merging process. The basic concept of the new approach is that of the self-defining data set (SDDS). The creation of a standard is proposed. This standard would be such that data which may be of interest in a large number of earth resources remote sensing applications would be in a format which allows convenient and automatic merging. Attention is given to details regarding the multidata merging problem, a geometric description of multitype data sets, image reconstruction from track-type data, a data set generation system, and an example multitype data set.

Anuta, P. E.↗

Pattern recognition for remote sensing - Progress and prospects

An overview is given of the current state of automatic image pattern recognition as applied to remote sensing of the earth's resources. The framework for the discussion is provided by four important aspects of the remote sensing problem: scene information content, characterization of scene information, information extraction methods, and the net value of extractable information. Outstanding problems are surveyed, as are the prospects for future developments. The effect of increasingly complex data bases and the rapidly evolving digital computer technology are highlighted.

Swain, P. H.↗

Sessions on remote sensing 1980; Proceedings of the Topical Meeting, Budapest, Hungary, June 2-14, 1980

Studies included in this volume deal with spectral responses for remote sensing of the earth's surface and applications of remote sensing to mineral exploration. Consideration is given to the spectral responses of vegetation, bare land, water, and snow. Papers are presented on spectral reflectance characteristics of agricultural crops and application to crop growth monitoring, detection of volcanic ash coverage from Landsat MSS data, application of multispectral data to the detection of sea surface phenomena, and ore-controlling structures in volcanic regions observed on space images.

Kahle, A. B.↗

Application of millimeter-wave remote sensing to the investigation of comets

It is pointed out the despite years of investigation, the solid, quasi-permanent component of comets, the nucleus, remains largely a mystery. The composition and thermal properties of the nucleus determine the evolution of the more familiar and often spectacular cometary features, the coma and tail. Under certain circumstances, the nucleus may be obscured by a dust cloud of much higher temperature. The most appropriate technology for the investigation of the surface and subsurface layers of the nucleus is considered to be millimeter-wave sensing from an interplanetary spacecraft. Simple radiative transfer models, adapted from methods employed for the interpretation of remote-sensing data on terrestrial ice and snow fields, are used to predict the millimeter-wave spectra of representative model nuclei. The spectra determine the choice of the minimum set of observing frequencies that is required. An instrument configuration driven by these requirements and guided by available technology and the restraints of a proposed NASA spacecraft is then derived.

Hobbs, R. W.↗

Effect of turbulence-induced correlation on laser remote sensing errors

Using a 10.6-micron dual-laser differential-absorption laser remote sensing system, the short- and long-term temporal correlation of the returns from topographic targets and retroreflectors are measured in order to investigate the effect of atmospheric turbulence on laser remote sensing measurement errors. The results quantify the improvement obtained through use of a dual-laser system compared to that of a single-laser system and are in good agreement with those predicted by a theory which considers the effect of partial temporal correlation on the resultant measurement error.

Killinger, D. K.↗

Survey of in-situ and remote sensing methods for soil moisture determination

General methods for determining the moisture content in the surface layers of the soil based on in situ or point measurements, soil water models and remote sensing observations are surveyed. In situ methods described include gravimetric techniques, nuclear techniques based on neutron scattering or gamma-ray attenuation, electromagnetic techniques, tensiometric techniques and hygrometric techniques. Soil water models based on column mass balance treat soil moisture contents as a result of meteorological inputs (precipitation, runoff, subsurface flow) and demands (evaporation, transpiration, percolation). The remote sensing approaches are based on measurements of the diurnal range of surface temperature and the crop canopy temperature in the thermal infrared, measurements of the radar backscattering coefficient in the microwave region, and measurements of microwave emission or brightness temperature. Advantages and disadvantages of the various methods are pointed out, and it is concluded that a successful monitoring system must incorporate all of the approaches considered.

Schmugge, T. J.↗