A temática ambiental tem despertado enorme interesse em diversos seguimentos da sociedade, especialmente de pesquisadores da área, que vêem contribuindo com a produção de inúmeras publicações. No entanto, a bibliografia produzida para a Cartografia Ambiental tem apresentado lacunas, principalmente no trato do embasamento das pesquisas com enfoque teórico-metodológico. Este trabalho revisa as propostas metodológicas elaboradas por André Journaux, Jean Tricart, Helmut Troppmair e Carlos Augusto de Figueiredo Monteiro para o mapeamento ambiental. Trata inicialmente da conexão existente entre a Geografia, os estudos ambientais e a ciência cartográfica, que é a própria interface entre os dois primeiros, expondo, dentro de um contexto histórico, várias visões da relação sociedade - natureza. Adotamos uma postura fundamentada pelo construto do Geossistema e da Semiologia Gráfica para que as representações possam refletir o espaço geográfico como um todo indissociável de objetos e ações. Alguns critérios inerentes à cartografia também foram abordados, para que servissem de baliza ao estudo: o problema das ordens de grandeza; a questão do dinamismo do mundo real versus a condição estática dos mapas; a almejada síntese cartográfica, a qual consideramos ser a forma ideal para os mapas ambientais; e a busca por uma legenda significativa, que auxilie o usuário em desvendar o mapa. / Environmental thematic has grown enormous interest in several segments of society, especially from area researchers who have been contributing to the production of countless publications. However, the bibliography produced for Environmental Cartography has had some gaps mainly on dealing with the foundation of theoretical and methodological focus. This work reviews the methodological proposals by André Journaux, Jean Tricart, Helmut Troppmair and Carlos Augusto de Figueiredo Monteiro for environmental mapping. It has come up from the existing connection among Geography, environmental studies and cartographic science which is the actual interface between the two former ones, demonstrating in a historical context, several insights of the relation society nature. We have adopted a framework based on the building of Geosystems and Graphic Semiology so that the representations could reflect the geographic space as a set inseparable from objects and actions. Some criteria inherent to cartography were also approached in order to be support to the study: problems with magnitude; the issue of the dynamism of the real world versus the static condition of maps; the targeted cartographic synthesis we consider as being the ideal form for environmental mapping; and the search for a meaningful legend that may help the user uncover the map.

O município de Limeira SP enfrentou um crescimento urbano intenso e desordenado, após a segunda metade do século XX, oriundo dos incentivos públicos de descentralização industrial da capital paulista, que provocou grandes problemas socioambientais. O presente estudo procura analisar as fragilidades e potencialidades da organização do espaço em Limeira através da metodologia da Cartografia Ambiental de Síntese, pois esta possibilita a delimitação de unidades individualizadas da paisagem a partir da síntese dos atributos físicos e sociais presentes no espaço. Para tanto, foi realizado um levantamento bibliográfico dos principais conceitos e metodologias dos estudos ambientais na Geografia, dando destaque à Cartografia e aos novos instrumentos de coleta e manipulação de dados espaciais. Em seguida, foram coletadas informações sobre o município através de pesquisa bibliográfica, imagens de satélite e trabalhos de campo. Estas informações foram organizadas no software SPRING para a confecção dos mapas temáticos e do mapa ambiental de síntese. De posse do mapa final foi possível analisar cada unidade de paisagem isoladamente segundo seus atributos, podendo servir de suporte a outros estudos no município e para a administração pública a fim de subsidiar um planejamento territorial mais compatível com a realidade local. / The county of Limeira - SP faced an intense and disorganized urban growth, since the second half of the twentieth century, due to the industrial decentralization of the state capital, by government incentives, which caused major social and environmental problems. This study seeks to analyze the weaknesses and strengths of the space organization in Limeira through the methodology of Environmental Synthesis Cartography, since this enables the delineation of individual units of landscape from the synthesis of physical and social attributes present in the space. For this, we carried out a literature review of the main concepts and methodologies of environmental studies in Geography, focusing on the Cartography and the new spatial data collection and manipulation instruments. Then, we collected information on the county through literature search, satellite images and field work. This information was organized in the SPRING software to elaborate thematic maps and the final environmental synthesis map. In possession of the final map it became possible to parse each landscape unit separately according to their attributes, providing a support to other studies in the county and to the government in creating a territorial planning more compatible with local realities.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Health Sciences, 2013. / High resolution aeromagnetic and radiometric data covering the 1:50,000 mapsheets 2229AB Mapungubwe and 2229AD Coila were collected by the Council for Geoscience and interpreted in this study. Several generations of magnetised lineaments were identified and modelled as mafic dykes. North-northwest, east-northeast and east-west trending lineaments occur in the pre-Karoo basement (~2.04 Ga to Dwyka) and east-west trending lineaments predominate in Karoo sediments (<183 Ma). A number of circular magnetic anomalies occur in north-northwest and east-northeast trending clusters in the southwest of the study area. These were interpreted to be intrusive plugs – possibly feeders for the dolerite sills and dykes that occur in the area. Radiometric data delineate geological units within the pre-Karoo basement. Granitic to granodioritic rocks (2.6 Ga) are enriched in uranium and thorium while tonalitic rocks are not. Geological cross-sections, constructed along flight lines and tie-lines, suggest that there are two or more sills at depth under the southwestern portion of the study area intruded by the Venetia kimberlite pipes. In addition a large strongly magnetic anomaly with no surface expression was identified in the northeastern area and modelled to be at about 1200 m depth.

The coastal (terrestrial) and benthic environments along the southeast Florida continental shelf show a unique biophysical succession of marine features from a highly urbanized, developed coastal region in the north (i.e. northern Miami-Dade County) to a protective marine sanctuary in the southeast (i.e. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary). However, the establishment of a standard bio-geomorphological classification scheme for this area of coastal and benthic environments is lacking. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis and answer the research question of whether new parameters of integrating geomorphological components with dominant biological covers could be developed and applied across multiple remote sensing platforms for an innovative way to identify, interpret, and classify diverse coastal and benthic environments along the southeast Florida continental shelf. An ordered, manageable hierarchical classification scheme was developed to incorporate the categories of Physiographic Realm, Morphodynamic Zone, Geoform, Landform, Dominant Surface Sediment, and Dominant Biological Cover. Six different remote sensing platforms (i.e. five multi-spectral satellite image sensors and one high-resolution aerial orthoimagery) were acquired, delineated according to the new classification scheme, and compared to determine optimal formats for classifying the study area. Cognitive digital classification at a nominal scale of 1:6000 proved to be more accurate than autoclassification programs and therefore used to differentiate coastal marine environments based on spectral reflectance characteristics, such as color, tone, saturation, pattern, and texture of the seafloor topology. In addition, attribute tables were created in conjugation with interpretations to quantify and compare the spatial relationships between classificatory units. IKONOS-2 satellite imagery was determined to be the optimal platform for applying the hierarchical classification scheme. However, each remote sensing platform had beneficial properties depending on research goals, logistical restrictions, and financial support. This study concluded that a new hierarchical comprehensive classification scheme for identifying coastal marine environments along the southeast Florida continental shelf could be achieved by integrating geomorphological features with biological coverages. This newly developed scheme, which can be applied across multiple remote sensing platforms with GIS software, establishes an innovative classification protocol to be used in future research studies. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

We map the regional physiography and surficial lithology (Surficial Geologic Habitat or SGH) over the continental margin of Oregon. This thesis develops, describes, and implements an iterative interpretive method to map seafloor habitat types from disparate geological and geophysical datasets including: bathymetric images, sidescan sonar images, seismic reflection profiles, sediment samples, geologic maps of structure, and observations from submersibles. An indirect technique for the assessment of map accuracy or habitat type misidentification error is also explored and used to derive supplemental maps of varying interpretative confidence, or "quality". The geological and geophysical datasets used to produce the SGH maps of the Oregon margin are by their nature patchy, and form an irregular mosaic of variable data density and quality. Uniform sampling of continental margins does not yet exist, thus these maps are an attempt to glean as much information as possible from the framework of existing data. In any given area the quantity and quality of data available varied considerably, and required a flexible method of interpretation based on this availability. The integrated interpretative GIS techniques are developed to facilitate mapping geologic habitat types over this region of discontinuous and patchy seafloor data. The SGH map and thematic map accuracy assessment support improved habitat-based inventory and assessment methods. They also serve as habitat reference materials for marine resources management and planning activities at local to national scales. SGH and data quality maps are incorporated as thematic layers within a broader habitat geodatabase for west coast groundfish and are directly applied for modeling Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for these species. / Graduation date: 2004

Οι δορυφορικές εικόνες ASTER αποτελούν το πιο πρόσφατο προϊόν της διαστημικής τεχνολογίας, Έχει πολύ μεγάλη φασματική διακριτική ικανότητα σε σημείο που να χαρακτηρίζεται από αρκετούς επιστήμονες σαν ένα υπερφασματικό καταγραφικό σύστημα στο υπέρυθρο. Έτσι δίνονται νέες δυνατότητες για την ερμηνεία είτε ποιοτικά είτε ποσοτικά καλύψεων γης και φυσικών καταστάσεων της γήινης επιφάνειας, αφού οι προηγούμενοι δορυφόροι δεν είχαν αυτή τη δυνατότητα. Ο σκοπός είναι η περιβαλλοντική χαρτογράφηση του N. Λέσβου από δορυφορικές εικόνες ASTER προκειμένου να χαρτογραφηθούν οι φυσικοί πόροι και οι καλύψεις Γης. Έτσι θα μπορούμε να αξιολογήσουμε τις δυνατότητες και τις εφαρμογές που έχουν αυτά τα δεδομένα. Μετά τις διορθώσεις (αποζωνοποίηση, μετατροπή σε τιμές ενέργειας, κ.α.) η ταξινόμηση της δορυφορικής εικόνας μας επέτρεψε να διακρίνουμε τις παρακάτω κατηγορίες: καλλιέργειες/ ποώδη βλάστηση, δύο τύπους δάσους, αστική γη, υδάτινες επιφάνειες, σύννεφα και εντελώς γυμνό από βλάστηση έδαφος και να δημιουργήσουμε ένα θεματικό χάρτη. Εάν χρησιμοποιηθούν περισσότερα κανάλια και όχι μόνο 3, τότε θα γίνει δυνατή η χαρτογράφηση περισσότερων κατηγοριών μόνο που η ταυτοποίηση της κάθε κατηγορίας θα μπορεί να πραγματοποιηθεί μόνο με εργασίες πεδίου στο ύπαιθρο. / The ASTER satellite images are the most recent product of space technology , has very high spectral resolution to a point that is characterized by many scientists as a hyperspectral infrared recording system . So given new possibilities for interpretation either qualitatively or quantitatively land cover and physical conditions of the Earth's surface , having earlier satellites did not have that feature. The purpose is environmental mapping N. Lesbos from ASTER satellite images to map the natural resources and land cover . Thus we can evaluate the features and applications that have these data . After corrections ( apozonopoiisi , conversion to energy prices , etc. ) the classification of satellite imagery allowed us to distinguish the following categories : crops / herbaceous vegetation , two types of forest , urban land , water surfaces , clouds and completely devoid of vegetation area and create a thematic map . If you use more channels , not just three , then it will become possible to map more categories only the identification of each class can only be done with field work outdoors .

M.Ing. (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) / This dissertation deals with the mapping of an unknown environment. Mapping of an environment can be accomplished by asking the question “What is in my world?” whilst moving through the environment. Once the objects occupying the ‘world’ have been discovered, the locations of these objects are stored somewhere (for example on paper), so that the environment can be navigated at a later stage. In the context of robots, a map provides the robot with a certain degree of “intelligence”. Several different types of applications are available for robots with “intelligence”; ranging from mining applications, to search and rescue situations, to surveillance applications and recognisance applications. The research hypothesis posed by this dissertation is as follows: Produce a human readable map for an unknown defined structured environment using a single laser range finder (LRF). The focus was on mapping environments resembling mine tunnels. In mine tunnel environments sensors, such as wheel odometers, can fail. This failure makes it advantageous to be able to create a map of the environment with the data obtained solely from the LRF. For this dissertation, the following restrictions were placed on the environment being mapped. It had to be structured (i.e. the environment could be described by simple geometric primitives such as lines); it had to be static (the only entity allowed to move in the environment was the LRF to obtain data); and the environment had to be defined (i.e. have a starting and ending point). During the course of this Masters research, it was discovered that in order to create a human readable map, one has to determine the accurate localisation of the sensor in the environment whilst mapping. The described scenario is a typical problem in mapping and is referred to as the ‘simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM) problem’. This dissertation shows results when mapping was done with – and without – accurate localisation. The final approach used to create the human readable map consisted of determining scan matched odometry (based on a feature matching and ICP algorithm). The scan matched odometry is incorporated into a grid-based SLAM technique that utilises a particle filter to accurately determine the position of the sensor in the environment, in order to create a human readable map of the environment. The algorithm used (as described) was able to close loops (i.e. the mapping algorithm was able to handle the sensor returning to its starting point) and it produced satisfactory results for the types of environments as required by the scope of this dissertation.

Rand Water contracted UNISA to develop a monetary valuation method for its open spaces and their inherent ecological functions. This study began by reviewing existing contemporary definitions of open space in South Africa and then identifying their key characteristics. The research project then looked at the economic contribution that open spaces make to the economy as a basis for environmental valuation. By determining the economic value of open spaces, decision makers can be informed about the importance of open space provision, preservation and maintenance. The project applied the participatory action research method which requires the active participation of focus groups. The focus groups consisted of Rand Water employees who deal with open spaces in their respective areas of work. During the literature review and problem formulation the various limitations of environmental valuation methods became evident. It became apparent that the development of new valuation methods would not be possible before existing valuation methods had been tested to see if they could feasibly be applied to open space in the Rand Water context. A literature review also determined that open space valuation studies in South Africa are very limited, which made it difficult to formulate a localised context. It was furthermore found that environmental valuers prefer to use the contingent valuation, travel cost and hedonic pricing methods. These methods rely on revealed and stated preferences of open space users to infer an economic value for an open space. Access to Rand Water’s open spaces is largely limited owing to strict access control. The excludability of open space users therefore hampers the generation of sufficient data to apply revealed and stated preference valuation methods. On the basis of this finding, it was decided to eliminate the contingent valuation and travel cost methods from this study. It was decided to apply the constraint composition theory, under the grounded theory model, to study the constraints or moderators which could affect the feasibility of environmental valuation application to Rand Water open spaces. Four moderators were then identified which could influence the outcome of the feasibility assessment. These are the limitations of the methods, the limitations of the legal framework, the limitations of the user and the limitations of the study area. It was found that the limitations of the methods were a moderator owing to their inherent data requirements. The only suitable valuation methods vi were found to be market based as they were not influenced by the excludability factor. These methods include the replacement cost, damage cost avoided, restoration cost and defensive expenditure valuation methods. The focus group was introduced to each method by participating in a method application exercise. Questionnaires regarding each method were completed to test variables. The legal framework was found not to be a moderator since even though there are limited direct provisions in legislation to mandate environmental valuation, there are legal principles which require economic impacts to be measured and damage to the environment to be estimated. These principles in themselves have supported litigation cases and the mere admission of environmental value estimates in court as evidence and support to a case therefore sets the required legal precedence and mandates further application. The user was found not to be a moderator. Feedback from the focus groups as well as an environmental resource economics workshop held at the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment showed that users understood environmental valuation principles, their benefits and limitations. With training, environmental scientists can apply these methods. The study area was found to be a moderator. The limited access for potential open space users, limited harvesting, limited agriculture and limited open space categories result in limited values that can be measured. In conclusion, it was found that not all environmental valuation methods can be applied to Rand Water open space owing to inherent limitations of the methods and the study area. Only market-based methods were found to be suitable for use on Rand Water open space. Notwithstanding the limitations of the methods and study area, which restrict the ability of valuers to obtain a total economic value for Rand Water open space, the available suite of methods can provide an indicator of value for environmental goods and services that flow from the utility’s open spaces. It was concluded that the application of environmental valuation methods to Rand Water open space is feasible within the context of the identified limitations. / Environmental Sciences / M.Sc. (Environmental Management)

Rand Water contracted UNISA to develop a monetary valuation method for its open spaces and their inherent ecological functions. This study began by reviewing existing contemporary definitions of open space in South Africa and then identifying their key characteristics. The research project then looked at the economic contribution that open spaces make to the economy as a basis for environmental valuation. By determining the economic value of open spaces, decision makers can be informed about the importance of open space provision, preservation and maintenance. The project applied the participatory action research method which requires the active participation of focus groups. The focus groups consisted of Rand Water employees who deal with open spaces in their respective areas of work. During the literature review and problem formulation the various limitations of environmental valuation methods became evident. It became apparent that the development of new valuation methods would not be possible before existing valuation methods had been tested to see if they could feasibly be applied to open space in the Rand Water context. A literature review also determined that open space valuation studies in South Africa are very limited, which made it difficult to formulate a localised context. It was furthermore found that environmental valuers prefer to use the contingent valuation, travel cost and hedonic pricing methods. These methods rely on revealed and stated preferences of open space users to infer an economic value for an open space. Access to Rand Water’s open spaces is largely limited owing to strict access control. The excludability of open space users therefore hampers the generation of sufficient data to apply revealed and stated preference valuation methods. On the basis of this finding, it was decided to eliminate the contingent valuation and travel cost methods from this study. It was decided to apply the constraint composition theory, under the grounded theory model, to study the constraints or moderators which could affect the feasibility of environmental valuation application to Rand Water open spaces. Four moderators were then identified which could influence the outcome of the feasibility assessment. These are the limitations of the methods, the limitations of the legal framework, the limitations of the user and the limitations of the study area. It was found that the limitations of the methods were a moderator owing to their inherent data requirements. The only suitable valuation methods vi were found to be market based as they were not influenced by the excludability factor. These methods include the replacement cost, damage cost avoided, restoration cost and defensive expenditure valuation methods. The focus group was introduced to each method by participating in a method application exercise. Questionnaires regarding each method were completed to test variables. The legal framework was found not to be a moderator since even though there are limited direct provisions in legislation to mandate environmental valuation, there are legal principles which require economic impacts to be measured and damage to the environment to be estimated. These principles in themselves have supported litigation cases and the mere admission of environmental value estimates in court as evidence and support to a case therefore sets the required legal precedence and mandates further application. The user was found not to be a moderator. Feedback from the focus groups as well as an environmental resource economics workshop held at the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment showed that users understood environmental valuation principles, their benefits and limitations. With training, environmental scientists can apply these methods. The study area was found to be a moderator. The limited access for potential open space users, limited harvesting, limited agriculture and limited open space categories result in limited values that can be measured. In conclusion, it was found that not all environmental valuation methods can be applied to Rand Water open space owing to inherent limitations of the methods and the study area. Only market-based methods were found to be suitable for use on Rand Water open space. Notwithstanding the limitations of the methods and study area, which restrict the ability of valuers to obtain a total economic value for Rand Water open space, the available suite of methods can provide an indicator of value for environmental goods and services that flow from the utility’s open spaces. It was concluded that the application of environmental valuation methods to Rand Water open space is feasible within the context of the identified limitations. / Environmental Sciences / M.Sc. (Environmental Management)

Letecká fotogrammetrie v oblasti bezpilotních systémů představuje rychle rozvíjející se obor nalézající uplatnění napříč nejen průmyslovými odvětvími. Široce rozšířená metoda nepřímého georeferencování založená na vlícovacích bodech sice dosahuje vysoké přesnosti a spolehlivosti, v některých speciálních aplikacích nicméně není použitelná. Tato disertační práce se zabývá vývojem senzorického systému pro přímé georeferencování aplikovatelného na malých bezpilotních prostředcích a dále také návrhem vhodných kalibračních metod a testováním přesnosti. Významná část práce je věnována novým oblastem, kde může navržený systém pomoci eliminovat bezpečnostní rizika spojená s daným prostředím. V tomto kontextu byl systém testován v reálných podmínkách při mapování sněhu v horských oblastech a při robotickém mapování radiace.