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Showing papers in "Geocarto International in 1987"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The history and scope of remote sensing is described in detail in this paper, where the authors present a detailed overview of the field of Remote Sensing and its application in agriculture, land use and land cover.
Abstract: Preface. Part I: Foundations. History and Scope of Remote Sensing. Electromagentic Radiation. Part II: Image Acquisition. Photographic Sensors. Digital Data. Image Interpretation. Land Observation Satellites. Active Microwave and Lidar. Thermal Radiation. Image Resolution. Part III: Analysis. Preprocessing. Image Classification. Field Data. Accuracy Assessment. Hyperspectral Remote Sensing. Part IV: Applications. Geographic Information Systems. Plant Sciences. Earth Sciences. Hydrospheric Sciences. Land Use and Land Cover. Global Remote Sensing.

3,445 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the principles and interpretation of Remote Sensing: Principles and interpretation, Geocarto International: Vol. 2, No. 2 (No. 2) and Biomes, pp. 66-66.
Abstract: (1987). Remote sensing: Principles and interpretation. Geocarto International: Vol. 2, Remote Sensing and Biomes, pp. 66-66.

837 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the spectral vegetation index measurements provided a general indicator of vegetation activity across the major biomes of the Western Hemisphere of the earth, including tropical regions, and the satellite-observed patterns are strongly related to the known climatology of the continents and may offer a means to improve understanding of global bioclimatology.
Abstract: Previous analysis of the North American continent with AVHRR-derived vegetation index measurements showed a strong relation between known patterns of vegetation seasonality, productivity and the spectral vegetation index measurements. This study extends that analysis to South America to evaluate the degree to which these findings extend to tropical regions. The results show that the spectral vegetation index measurements provide a general indicator of vegetation activity across the major biomes of the Western Hemisphere of the earth, including tropical regions. The satellite-observed patterns are strongly related to the known climatology of the continents and may offer a means to improve understanding of global bioclimatology. For example, South America is shown to have a longer growing season with much earlier spring green-up than North America. The time integral of the measurements, computed from 12 composited monthly values, produces a value that is related to published net primary productivity data. However, limited net primary production data does not allow complete evaluation of satellite-observed contrasts between North and South American biomes. These results suggest that satellite-derived spectral vegetation index measurements are of great potential value in improving knowledge of the earth's biosphere.

116 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Geomorphology from Space: A Global Overview of Regional Landforms as discussed by the authors was published by NASA STIF as a successor to the two earlier works on the same subject: Mission to Earth: LANDSAT views the Earth, and ERTS-1: A New Window on Our Planet.
Abstract: This book, Geomorphology from Space: A Global Overview of Regional Landforms, was published by NASA STIF as a successor to the two earlier works on the same subject: Mission to Earth: LANDSAT views the Earth, and ERTS-1: A New Window on Our Planet. The purpose of the book is threefold: first, to serve as a stimulant in rekindling interest in descriptive geomorphology and landforms analysis at the regional scale; second, to introduce the community of geologists, geographers, and others who analyze the Earth's surficial forms to the practical value of space-acquired remotely sensed data in carrying out their research and applications; and third, to foster more scientific collaboration between geomorphologists who are studying the Earth's landforms and astrogeologists who analyze landforms on other planets and moons in the solar system, thereby strengthening the growing field of comparative planetology.

66 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The AISC of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS) has been producing operational agricultural assessments since 1979.
Abstract: The Assessment and Information Services Center (AISC) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS) has been producing operational agricultural assessments since 1979. These activities provide drought early warning alerts and climate impact assessment to national and international agencies which require such information for disaster preparedness and agricultural assessment purposes. Data from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) aboard the NOAA polar‐orbiting satellite series have been used operationally in these assessment tasks since 1982. In 1985 and 1986, the use of satellite data has focused on medium resolution Global Area Coverage (GAC) data with an emphasis on the Sahel and Hom countries of Africa. In an operational context, satellite data are received from the Satellite Data Services Division of NOAA on a weekly basis from May through September. These data are processed into images ov...

30 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Inland wetland in a portion of the Savannah River swamp forest were mapped with an overall accuracy of 88.5 percent on April 26,l985 using high resolution aircraft Daedalus AADS-1268 MSS data as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Inland wetland in a portion of the Savannah River swamp forest were mapped with an overall accuracy of 88.5 percent on April 26,l985 using high resolution aircraft Daedalus AADS-1268 MSS data. In addition, data were acquired using a NASA sensor system flown along two flight lines over the Steel Creek Delta. The data were significantly correlated with in situ tree height measurements. The data were registered to the wetland classification map and correlated. Statistical analyses demonstrated that the laser derived canopy height information was significantly associated with the Steel Creek Delta wetland classes encountered along the transect (an F-value of 58.46 at the 0.0001 level of confidence). The relationship between vegetation height and vegetation type was then used to produce a three-dimensional model of the landscape which can be of value when computing biomass or canopy density in this forested wetland environment.

27 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the current capability of digital remote sensing technology to satisfy the information requirements of forest managers is reviewed. And the promise of new airborne technologies to provide more detailed information is discussed in the context of information requirements, together with examples of encouraging results.
Abstract: This paper reviews the current capability of digital remote sensing technology to satisfy the information requirements of forest managers. The discussion is organized with regard.to forest management information requirements rather than along technological lines. The promise of new airborne technologies to provide more detailed information is also discussed in the context of the information requirements, together with examples of encouraging results.

20 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Multi-Observation Satellite Image Correction System (MOSAICS) as discussed by the authors is a precision correction facility for processing data from the LANDSAT MSS and TM sensors and from the SPOT MultiSpectral Linear Array (MLA) and Panchromatic linear Array (PLA) sensors at the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS).
Abstract: This paper describes the Multi‐Observation Satellite Image Correction System (MOSAICS), a precision correction facility for processing data from the LANDSAT MSS and TM sensors and from the SPOT Multi‐Spectral Linear Array (MLA) and Panchromatic Linear Array (PLA) sensors at the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS). MOSAICS produces a wide range of product types, from completely raw to fully corrected with subpixel accuracy. Products are offered as full scenes in the spacecraft projection and as geocoded subscenes rotated to the UTM map projection. All products are offered as both Computer Compatible Tapes (CCTs) and films. CCTs are produced in the standard LANDSAT Ground Station Operator's Working Group format with the full range of options allowed by this family of formats. Film products are exposed directly on a color film recorder with a wide choice of radiometric enhancements including scene histogram enhancements, reflectance based enhancements and custom (user specified) enhancements. Th...

18 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, six types of land cover categories were established based on the above statistical analysis and aerial photographs for ground truth and were defined mainly by dividing two dimensional SPOT feature space into regions.
Abstract: SPOT multispectral data were compared statistically with 10 meters mesh numerical land use data in the study area near Tokyo. The numerical land use data have 16 categories and were produced from color aerial photographs by Geographical Survey Institute of Japan. This statistical analysis shows poor possibility of ‘land use’ classification from SPOT data and suggest to establish ‘land cover’ categories. Six types of land cover categories were established based on the above statistical analysis and aerial photographs for ground truth and were defined mainly by dividing two dimensional SPOT feature space into regions. The study area is classified into these land cover categories by decision tree method and examined with numerical land use data. The conclusions of this study are (1) Numerical geographical information is highly useful for analysis of remotely sensed data. (2) New method of defining land cover categories were proposed. (3) Six types of land cover classes cart be extracted from SPOT da...

16 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a scanning lidar bathymeter has been developed for airborne hydrographic surveying, which has a depth penetration capability of four optical diffuse attenuation lengths, with an accuracy of ± 0.3 m.
Abstract: A scanning lidar bathymeter has been developed for airborne hydrographic surveying. The system has a depth penetration capability of four optical diffuse attenuation lengths, with an accuracy of ±0.3 m.From an altitude of 500 m the system generates a swath 270 m wide and a uniform sounding density on a 35 m grid spacing with a positioning accuracy of ∼ 15 m. A description of the system is given, with emphasis on the design and performance characteristics of the optical transceiver. Results from system flight tests are summarized, including those from a recent operational hydrographic survey in the Canadian Arctic.

14 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the state-of-the-art systems and their applications are described and their role in resource management is addressed. But the focus is on the use of airborne electrooptical sensors for resource management.
Abstract: There have been major advances in Canada in the development and operation of airborne electro‐optical sensors for resource management. Systems developed include the laser‐based remote sensors for profiling and coastal mapping, and the multispectral array imagers for land and ocean monitoring. The paper describes the state‐of‐the‐art systems and their applications, and addresses their role in resource management.

Journal ArticleDOI
Steven A. Sader1
TL;DR: In this article, the advantages and disadvantages of the use of airborne sensors for forest monitoring are discussed, and it is noted that the airborne sensors provide measurements applicable to forest monitoring programs.
Abstract: Airborne sensor data of forest biomes obtained using an SAR, a laser profiler, an IR MSS, and a TM simulator are presented and examined. The SAR was utilized to investigate forest canopy structures in Mississippi and Costa Rica; the IR MSS measured forest canopy temperatures in Oregon and Puerto Rico; the TM simulator was employed in a tropical forest in Puerto Rico; and the laser profiler studied forest canopy characteristics in Costa Rica. The advantages and disadvantages of airborne systems are discussed. It is noted that the airborne sensors provide measurements applicable to forest monitoring programs.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the functional requirements to develop an operational interface for forestry related applications are discussed, including both graphics display and data processing problems, and functional requirements for developing an operational interfaces for forestry-related applications are described.
Abstract: Geographic Information Systems are concerned with the digital capture of spatial data and spatially related attributes and their linkage relative to one another. Most importantly, geographic information processing deals with the query, analyses, reporting and output of these data. Remote sensing has always provided a primary source of geographic data to these systems, although not in the digital sense. Environmentally based surveys such as those developed for forest inventory, have relied heavily on aerial photography since its inception as a large area operational tool four decades ago; however, digital remote sensing has now been brought to a point in its development where real applications have been demonstrated. The functional requirements to develop an operational interface for forestry related applications are discussed, including both graphics display and data processing problems.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the distinction between regional or background geobotany and spectral or target geobots is established. And the authors also describe and illustrate with case examples how techniques of regional geobotoany can be applied by geologists, in support of mineral exploration activities, within operational constraints.
Abstract: In recent years, developments in remote sensing and related technologies have led to a resurgence of interest in the concept of geobotany. Interest in these techniques has been particularly keen in Canada since most active mineral exploration areas are vegetation covered. The spatial accuracy and spectral precision of data from remote sensors have improved substantially to the point where reliable and reproducable analysis can be made of vegetation condition and properties as they relate to a variety of geological controls and influences. This paper establishes the distinction between regional or ‘background’ geobotany and spectral or ‘target’ geobotany. It also describes and illustrates with case examples how techniques of regional geobotany can be applied by geologists, in support of mineral exploration activities, within operational constraints.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the point positioning and mapping capabilities of the LFC system are investigated for planimetry and height with respect to strip triangulation and single stereomodel processing, and the map updating capabilities are analyzed in relation to the map standards of a topographic map 1:100 000.
Abstract: Space borne image data at high spatial and radiometric resolution is becoming increasingly available. The Large Format Camera (LFC) photographs are of unmatched spatial resolution and thus of great interest for an ever increasing user community. This paper investigates into the point positioning and mapping capabilities of the LFC system. Point positioning accuracy is explored for planimetry and height with respect to strip triangulation and single stereomodel processing. Identification and interpretation of map features, and the map updating capabilities are analysed in relation to the map standards of a topographic map 1:100 000. Experiences with Digital Terrain Model generation and orthophoto production are reported.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a study has been carried out in order to estimate population on a strip of land of 100 km length and 50 km width, placed in the Eastern part of Spain.
Abstract: In this work a study has been carried out in order to estimate population on a strip of land of 100 km length and 50 km width, placed in the Eastern part of Spain. We have made use of a SIR‐A image obtained from the Columbia shuttle on November 1981 and referred to the mentioned area. It is shown the difficulty of estimating population in coast nuclei due to the large number of touristic buildings which deceive the population census. Nuclei with less than 2000 people may be identified in many cases but it is hardly difficult to estimate their surface. With the remaining nuclei we have carried out a twofold classification according to the number of people. The surface of semi‐urban nuclei, of less than 10,000 people show a dependency with the number of people between three and four times below to that of urban nuclei of more than 20,000 people.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the challenge posed by Canada's size to the Canadian map making community is described and the map maintenance problem is discussed, followed by an outline of the application of LANDSAT to map updating.
Abstract: This paper decribes the challenge posed by Canada's size to the Canadian map making community. Discussed first is the map maintenance problem. This is followed by an outline of the application of LANDSAT to map updating, including results achieved to date. The paper closed with a look to the near term future including the use of SPOT imagery.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present an extensive program underway (Radar Data Development Program "RDDP") to develop the necessary methodologies to use SAR data for renewable resource management, which includes data acquisition using both airborne SAR imagery and ground-based scatterometers.
Abstract: Microwave imaging systems hold great promise of meeting one of the most important requirements of data for vegetation monitoring ‐ namely data timeliness. Furthermore, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery will be routinely available within the near future with the launches of the European Space Agency, (1990), Japanese (1991) and Canadian RADARSAT (1994) satellites. Within Canada, there is an extensive program underway (Radar Data Development Program ‐ RDDP) to develop the necessary methodologies to use SAR data for renewable resource management. This program includes data acquisition using both airborne SAR imagery and ground‐based scatterometers. This paper describes this RDDP program in some detail and presents some pertinent results attained to date.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors deal with digital techniques to stratify vegetation in a test area of Arunachal Pradesh (India) using Landsat multispectral data.
Abstract: Vegetation stratification in mountaneous terrain using space remote sensing techniques is complicated due to varying illumination condition and altitudinal control of vegetation. The present study deals with digital techniques to stratify vegetation in a test area of Arunachal Pradesh (India) using Landsat multispectral data. Various band ratio combinations have been tried to reduce effect of varying illumination and to enhance subtle variation in broad vegetation types. Normalised vegetation index has been found to enhance maximum features. Hence, attempt was made to improve classification accuracy and identify certain vegetation classes using supervised classification of transformed Landsat multispectral data with normalised difference index, otherwise not possible using normal Landsat MSS data.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the detection of vegetative stress utilizing remotely sensed data and soil sampling is discussed, and the authors propose a method to detect the presence of plant stress in the soil.
Abstract: (1987). The detection of vegetative stress utilizing remotely sensed data and soil sampling. Geocarto International: Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 57-59.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a method which compensates for some of the main characteristics of the radar data and significantly increases classification accuracy is proposed in order to improve the accuracy of radar data classification.
Abstract: Synthetic aperture radar data possess many different characteristics to conventional remotely sensed data. They therefore should not be analysed in the same fashion. However, since there is no standard technique for the classification of radar data techniques formulated for use on other data sets are often used. Since these make no allowance for the unusual properties of radar data they will not exploit fully the data's information content. A method which compensates for some of the main characteristics of the radar data and significantly increases classification accuracy is proposed in this article.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Using examples from Nigeria, this paper demonstrates how remotely sensed data can be used to acquire some of the basic data requirements for census surveys and to estimate population.
Abstract: "Using examples from Nigeria, this paper demonstrates how remotely sensed data can be used to acquire some of the basic data requirements for census surveys and to estimate population. The result obtained shows that visual identification of settlements on Landsat MSS and TM is more accurate and economical than equivalent digital classification techniques. Black and white aerial photographs were used to estimate the population of a model town and to establish EAs [enumeration areas]. The population estimation method employed can be used to obtain intercensal population estimates for the rapidly growing central places, while the established EAs for the study area have created a permanent base for future census surveys and census cross-validation, population estimation and other social surveys."


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors presented a new methodology for topographic mapping at scales of 1: 50 000 or smaller, referred to as STARMAP, which uses airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data collected in stereo mode.
Abstract: This paper summarizes a new methodology which is available for topographic mapping purposes at scales of 1: 50 000 or smaller. The process, referred to as STARMAP, uses airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data collected in stereo mode, from which a digital terrain model (DTM) is derived and used to remove terrain displacement effects during rectification of the imagery. A new product ‐the Radar Image Map ‐ is presented in the paper and the elements of a hypothetical operational STARMAP program are described. This methodology provides a means by which topographic mapping products can be reliably obtained in habitually cloud or haze covered regions. For many user agencies in such regions, this may be the only method available for generating high quality topographic maps.


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the classification accuracy of individual features and associated omission/commission errors were determined using divergence measurements derived from class training statistics, which indicated that divergence identified the same number and type of principal component (PC) bands needed for successful feature discrimination as was determined through classification, and correlations between omission and commission misclassification errors and divergence values averaged 0.92 for all classifications co...
Abstract: Multispectral aerial video data (0.42–0.43 μm, 0.52–0.55 μm, 0.64–0.67 μm, and 0.85–0.89 μm) with 0.13 meter resolution were collected over test plots of cotton, sorghum, cantaloupe, soil, pigweed, and johnson‐grass on May 31 and July 24, 1983 near Weslaco, Texas. These data were transformed into four principal component (PC) bands for each date and used to classify the six features. The classification accuracy of individual features and associated omission/commission errors were determined. Classification accuracy characteristics associated with different numbers of PC bands were analyzed using divergence measurements derived from class training statistics. Evaluation of PC transformed data divergence indicated that: (1) divergence identified the same number and type of PC bands needed for successful feature discrimination as was determined through classification, (2) correlations between omission/commission misclassification errors and divergence values averaged ‐0.92 for all classifications co...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of atmospheric particulate blurring on Thematic Mapper data for areas with different particulate concentrations were studied through analysis of field edges, and the results showed that a broader width corresponds to higher particulate concentration and vice versa.
Abstract: Atmospheric particulate blurring effects on Thematic Mapper data for areas with different particulate concentrations were studied through analysis of field edges. Edge gradient and Fourier techniques were utilized to determine the overall atmosphere‐sensor system line spread function (LSF). The sampled edge data were first fitted to a theoretical curve and then processed by a lowpass filter (LPF). Two parameters of the LSF, the equivalent width and the absolute equivalent width which is defined in this paper, were calculated for several sampling regions. In most cases, the results showed that a broader width (either equivalent or absolute equivalent) corresponds to higher particulate concentration and vice versa.


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the spectral reflectance (78%) was observed for evergreen forest as compared to only 65% for dry dipterocarp forest in the infrared wavelength (MSS band 7).
Abstract: Landsat 4 MSS data were analysed in conjunction with an amount of ancillary data to identify forest cover types. Computer analysis of data as complemented by ground truths evince that the study area is covered by evergreen forest (hill evergreen), mixed deciduous forest, mixed deciduous/evergreen forest, dry dipterocarp forest, scrub forest and fallow agricultural land respectively. Higher spectral reflectance (78%) was observed for evergreen forest as compared to only 65% for dry dipterocarp forest in the infrared wavelength (MSS band 7). Landsat MSS band 7 was found excellent for discrimination of different types of forest cover in the study area. Total forest coverage was obtained 63% (188 km2) as compared to 68.3% in 1982. The classification accuracy of the Landsat MSS data was found 82% with less 20% omission and commission errors.