Vandana Tomar

Bio: Vandana Tomar is an academic researcher from University of Delhi. The author has contributed to research in topics: Fluoride & Crop yield. The author has an hindex of 8, co-authored 18 publications receiving 191 citations. Previous affiliations of Vandana Tomar include Banasthali Vidyapith.

Rice Equivalent Crop Yield Assessment Using MODIS Sensors’ Based MOD13A1-NDVI Data

Abstract: This paper analyzes the site-specific infield fertilizer treatments, its application rate discrepancies and crop yield assessment using rice equivalent productivity in terms of their economic potential using MOD13A1-normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) (a moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiomete derived 16 day composite normalized difference vegetation index product, with spatial resolution of 500 m). Soil quality and final crop yield response to nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers were taken from selected experimental Agri-plots in the part of Kuru region in North India, to calculate site-specific rice equivalent yield (REY) in the crop year of 2005-2006. A 3 × 3 spatial window average pixel reflectance of the NDVI layer at the regional level was used to assess its relationship with contemporaneous cropping systems, such as rice-wheat, rice-sugarcane, and rice-onion in the study area. A robust linear regressive relationship of R 2 = 0.69, has been found between site-specific vegetation index values and calculated REY. Inverse distance weighted spatial interpolation method was used to analyze the spatial variability of three major fertilizer nutrients (NPK) response in the study area. The potassium nutrient availability showed high levels of spatial autocorrelation, suggesting that proper fertilizer application ratio with genuine irrigation practices may be used for underpinning of the high crop yield variety acreages. In order to strengthen the crop productivity, we have suggested the diversified triple-based cropping systems with satellite mounted sensor derived NDVI products as a holistic and feasible monitoring approach.

A satellite-based biodiversity dynamics capability in tropical forest

Abstract: Remotely sensed data are widely used in ecological applications because of its great advantages. Increasing availability of remotely sensed images due to the rapid advancement of remote sensing technology expands the horizon of our choices of imagery sources. Remote sensing provides quick, accurate, cost-effective as well as a time effective method for vegetation cover mapping. The present paper focus on the assessment of vegetation in Alwar district (Rajasthan) using forest inventory and geospatial approaches. Vegetation indices among other methods have been reliable in monitoring vegetation change. One of the most widely used indices for vegetation monitoring is the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index because vegetation differential absorbs visible incident solar radiant and reflects much of the infrared. Data on vegetation biophysical characteristics can be derived from visible and NIR and mid-infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Four forest types, namely Anogeissus pendula, Boswellia serrata, mixed Anogeissus butea and mixed Acacia zizyphus are mainly dominant in the forest cover of Alwar district. Satellite data of Awifs (2010) give precise information of vegetation through reflectance value. This paper aimed to develop a model for vegetation at plot level and the associated spectral characteristics. These spectral classes of the imagery are finally translated into the vegetation types in the image Vol. 18 [2013], Bund. F 1172 interpretation process, which is also called image processing. Hence, at the end an overview of how to use remote sensing imagery to classify and map vegetation cover was achieved.

Efficient Recognition of Forest Species Biodiversity by Inventory-Based Geospatial Approach Using LISS IV Sensor

Abstract: Tropical forest is one of the great biodiversity repositories of the world ecosystem. Biodiversity is depleting very fast due to conversion of forest region into agricultural or other land use. Here comes the role of biodiversity assessment and evaluation of spatial data of species to prioritize the conservation purposes. Traditionally, ground-based plots were used to assess different biodiversity. Later on, remote sensing approaches were also incorporated along with field-based studies to quantify the results accurately. Assessment of biodiversity constitutes estimation of various indices that were obtained using ground-based plot or survey. With the advancement of the remote sensing technology, spatial information about tree species was collected using field sample and satellite data and field sample plots within the Sariska Tiger Reserve. Different diversity indices were calculated like α, β, diversity, and others, i.e., Pilot's index (J), Shannon-Wiener index (SR), Margalef index (E w ), and Whittaker's index (H'). The multistage statistical techniques, which integrate high spatial resolution and spectral characteristics of satellite data (LISS IV), will help in providing precise information about tree species. Regression analysis provides better results to identify forest species among different bands. A positive correlation has been found in the infrared band even negative correlation has been found in other bands. This paper incorporates field-based surveys along with remote sensing technologies using a regression model (r 2 = 0.636) to estimate and recognize different species diversity in Sariska Tiger Reserve.

Forestry applications of UAVs in Europe: a review

Abstract: Unfortunately, the fragmented regulations among EU countries, a result of the lack of common rules for operating UAVs in Europe, limit the chance to operate within Europe’s boundaries and prevent research mobility and exchange opportunities. Nevertheless, the applications of UAVs are expanding in different domains, and the use of UAVs in forestry will increase, possibly leading to a regular utilization for small-scale monitoring purposes in Europe when recent technologies i.e. hyperspectral imagery and lidar and methodological approaches will be consolidated.

The urban heat island

Abstract: We are all familiar with the fact that cities are generally warmer than the surrounding, more rural areas. We see it referenced most nights in our television weather reports. It is especially significant on nights with clear skies and light winds which favor radiational cooling. This is most significant in the rural areas but in the city, the excess heat absorbed during the day and the local heat sources maintain higher nighttime readings. During the days or nights with strong winds and clouds the differences are minimzed due to mixing and the advective cooling of the city by the winds.

Land use/land cover in view of earth observation: data sources, input dimensions, and classifiers—a review of the state of the art

Abstract: Land use/land cover (LULC) is a fundamental concept of the Earth's system intimately connected to many phases of the human and physical environment. Earth observation (EO) technology provides an in...