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In cooperation with the USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station, an algorithm has been developed to replace the current aerial-photography-derived FIA Phase 1 estimates of forest/non-forest with a Landsat Thematic Mapper-based forest area estimation. Corrected area estimates were obtained using a new hybrid classifier called Iterative Guided Spectral Class Rejection (IGSCR) for portions of three physiographic regions of Virginia. Corrected area estimates were also derived using the Landsat Thematic Mapper-based Multi-Resolution Land Characteristic Interagency Consortium (MRLC) cover maps. Both satellite-based corrected area estimates were tested against the traditional photo-based estimates. Forest area estimates were not significantly different (at the 95% level) between the traditional FIA, IGSCR, and MRLC methods, although the precision of the satellite-based estimates was lower. The estimated percent forest area and the standard error (respectively) of the estimates for each region and method are as follows; Coastal Plain- Phase 1 66.06% and 1.08%, IGSCR 68.88% and 2.93%, MRLC 69.84% and 3.08%. Piedmont- Phase 1 63.87% and 1.91%, IGSCR 65.52% and 3.50%, MRLC 59.19% and 3.83%. Ridge and Valley- Phase 1 69.74% and 1.22%, IGSCR 70.02%, and 2.43%, MRLC 70.53% and 2.52%. Map accuracies were not significantly different (at the 95% level) between the IGSCR method and the MRLC method. Overall accuracies ranged from 80% to 89% using FIA definitions of forest and non-forest land use. Given standardization of the image rectification process and training data properties, the IGSCR methodology is objective and repeatable across users, regions, and time and outperforms the MRLC for FIA applications. / Master of Science

Invasive species introductions, namely the chestnut blight fungus (Cryphonectria parasitica) and hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae), have permanently altered the overstory canopy of Appalachian forests by causing the dramatic die-offs of two ecologically significant tree species, American chestnut (Castanea dentata) and eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis). These canopy dominants once had significant roles in regulating understory communities. The loss of these trees, along with fire suppression, has driven two common evergreen shrubs, rosebay rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) and mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), to expand and proliferate in areas where they were once restricted. These two common shrubs are recognized agents of change in Appalachian forests because of their abilities to modify soil seed banks, regulate light, and alter the local soil chemistry. This study documented evergreen shrub expansion across the Coweeta Creek basin over the past 36 years analyzing changes in winter greenness using harmonized multi-decadal archives of Landsat imagery. We found the greatest change in winter greenness in relatively dry areas: higher elevations (1275–1300 m), steeper slopes (33°–35°), southward aspects, and far from streams (600–800 m). Historical field data collected in three unmanaged watersheds at Coweeta showed a simultaneous decrease in T. canadensis and increase in R. maximum. We also documented the decline of a xerophytic canopy tree species, pitch pine (Pinus rigida), and an associate understory shrub, K. latifolia. Our analysis of the influence of terrain variables on evergreen shrub expansion allowed us to determine which of the two species was expanding in various locations with reasonable certainty. This study provides spatially explicit data on the expansion of two evergreen shrub species at the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory that could be used to pinpoint areas for future management interventions. / Master of Science / Forests in the eastern United States have changed substantially in response to the introduction of highly competitive invasive species. Some overstory tree species have been virtually eliminated from their functional role in regulating understory vegetation in many southern Appalachian ecosystems. Die-offs of these trees have allowed understory evergreen shrubs to expand into areas where they were once restricted. Shrubs that have expanded in response to overstory tree die-offs can alter the ecology of forests for the foreseeable future. Our work leveraged multi-decadal archives of wintertime satellite imagery to document the spread of understory evergreen shrubs in a watershed located in western North Carolina. We investigated the relationship of this spread to local environmental characteristics like elevation, steepness (slope), slope direction (north, south, east, west), and distance-from-stream. The greatest changes in evergreen vegetation were documented on terrain at relatively high elevations, locations farther from streams, on southerly aspects, and on relatively steep terrain. We included historical field data collected during the same time period that showed a simultaneous increase in two understory evergreen shrub species after the die-off of ecologically significant overstory tree species. This information will help forest managers by describing areas where substantial spread has occurred and potentially use this information to inform future management action.

The southern pine beetle (SPB) (Dendroctonus frontalis Zimm.) is one of the most destructive forest insect pests in the southeastern United States and has historically had a large impact on the forests of North Carolina. Many characteristics of a forest can contribute to SPB susceptibility including stand density, growth rate, age, soil type, and position on the landscape. This work was undertaken in an effort to assist and improve on the current federal SPB hazard modeling being conducted for North Carolina by the USDA Forest Service – Forest Health Protection's Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team (FHTET). In our study, predictive SPB susceptibility models were developed for each physiographic region in North Carolina using two variables not currently included in the FHTET modeling, mean stand age and the in-stand percentage of sawtimber-sized pines. These variables were obtained from USDA Forest Service – Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data and North Carolina Forest Service historical SPB records creating a dataset of both infested and non-infested stands and the models were developed using the CART® classification tree approach. Two model-derived age classes (older than and younger than 22 years) were identified on the landscape using current Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery chronosequences of disturbance index (DI) â transformed scenes to identify stand-replacing disturbances, resulting in a kappa statistic of 0.6364 for the younger than 22 year age class and 0.7778 for the older than 22 years age class. A kappa value of 1 is ideal. The CART® modeling effort produced valid models in all three physiographic regions of North Carolina, though the complexity of the piedmont model makes it impractical for use in the field. The dependent variable in the classification tree was presence or absence of SPB outbreak and the test sample error percentages were similar across regions, with errors ranging between 23.76 - 34.95 percent. Overall prediction success, based on the software's internal cross-validation procedure, was likewise comparable across the regions with 72.28 - 89.56 percent correctly predicted. Based on our modeling, stand age and percent sawtimber should be included in future FHTET SPB hazard modeling efforts for the coastal plain and mountains, respectively. Age classes can be reasonably estimated using Landsat or other multispectral imagery. / Master of Science

Este trabalho examina as características evolutivas de manguezais (Sistema Estuarino de Santos, estado de São Paulo) através da oportunidade de acessar os impactos cumulativos de mudanças ambientais e suas consequências na vegetação. Para atingir este objetivo foi testado uma metodologia de detecção de mudança baseado no processamento de 9 imagens Landsat. Fora estabelecido uma rotina de trabalho o qual proporcionou a extração de bosques de mangue através de uma classificação orientada a objetos. Análises subseqüentes de índices de vegetação foram efetuadas para caracterizar a evolução de aspectos espectrais relativos aos manguezais. Também foram aplicados a extração de medidas de métricas relativas a estrutura da paisagem. Dados auxiliares, como um Modelo Digital de Elevação e imagens de alta resolução espacial propiciaram um melhor entendimento das análises efetuadas. Todos os dados gerados foram integrados em Sistema de Informação Geográfica (SIG). Os resultados apontaram que a área como um todo apresentou tendências de recobrimento de manguezais em termos de área e vigor entre 1985 e 1999, quando se tronou relativamente estável, mostrando variações locais de regeneração e degradação. A avaliação geral das formas e padrões dos bosques de manguezais baseados na delimitação de áreas e medidas da estrutura da paisagem mostraram melhores resultados quando comparados com análises de índices de vegetação, que parecem ser sensíveis a flutuações ambientais ocorridas quando da aquisição das imagens. / This work examines the evaluative characteristics of an impacted mangrove system (Santos/São Vicente region, São Paulo State) providing opportunities to assess the cumulative impact of environmental changes and their consequences on the vegetation. To achieve this objective it was tested a methodology of Time Change Detection techniques (TCD) based on the processing of series of 9 Landsat images. It was established a detailed study framework based on the individual mangroves extraction from object oriented classification. Subsequently analysis of vegetation indices values was performed in order to characterize the evolution of the spectral aspects of the mangroves. This work also assessed models of landscape patterns and structure. Other types of data such as High Resolution Satellite images, Aerial photographs and Satellite altimetry were also used to better understand the whole estuarine system. Thus it was also proposed the implementation of a geographically referenced database in a GIS in order to analyze variables which could affect mangrove dynamics. The results of the analysis demonstrated that the area as a whole confirms a tendency of recovering in terms of area and vigor since 1985 until 1999 when it became quite stable showing local variations in terms of recovering and degradation. The overall evaluation of form and shape of the mangrove forests, based in the delimitation of areas and landscape metrics, showed better results when comparing with the Vegetation Indices analysis, which seems quite influenced by the environmental conditions at the time satellite images were taken.

A elaboração de modelos pode ser entendida como um processo de simplificação da realidade. Desta forma, foram utilizados neste trabalho dados multitemporais estatísticos e de sensoriamento remoto, para que fossem caracterizadas as mudanças nos padrões de uso e cobertura da terra na bacia do Taiaçupeba nos últimos 30 anos. Para uma melhor aferição das informações obtidas a partir de imagens de satélite e uma posterior verificação das mesmas, foi necessária a utilização de dados colhidos durante levantamentos de campo, bem como o uso de estatísticas oficiais e trabalhos científicos sobre a área de estudo, dando ao presente trabalho um papel de complementação e atualização desses últimos. / Modeling is the process that makes reality simpler. Thus multitemporal statistics and remote sensing data were applied to this work, so that the land use and cover pattern changes in Taiaçupeba basin could be traced during the past 30 years. For a better checking of the remote sensing acquired information and its later comparison, it was necessary to use field data, as well the official statistics and earlier scientific works about the area, which was complemented and updated by this work.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-12T14:47:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Bruno Bonemberger_ da Silva.pdf: 2742297 bytes, checksum: caffe80e4c328becd1f17a199c916184 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-12-10 / The estimate evapotranspiration is a key factor in sustainable water management in irrigated agriculture, the actual crop water requirement established objectively, without generating waste of energy and water by excessive irrigation, and, on the other side, without compromising the agricultural production by its deficit. In this sense, the study aimed to estimate the daily actual evapotranspiration (-Etr) to local and regional scale, using Landsat 8 images (- OLI / TIRS), and additional data collected from a weather station, applying the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land algorithm (- SEBAL). The study area is located in the west of Paraná, in Salto do Lontra County, consisting of irrigated agricultural area, native vegetation and urban area. It was used orbit image / site 223/78 in Julian days 336 2013 and 19, 35, 131 and 195 in 2014. The daily ETr was estimated from the latent heat flux density (LE), obtained from the equation residue of the energy balance. The algorithm consists of several steps which include radiometric calibration, the reflectance calculation, the surface albedo, vegetation index (NDVI, SAVI, and leaf area index - LAI), and emissivity, which are obtained from data from the sensor reflective bands orbital, with the surface temperature estimated from the thermal band. The results showed that the algorithm estimated the components of the energy balance, with higher values than the results generally obtained from previous studies. Concerning to the estimated Etr, there was good agreement between estimates obtained by SEBAL and by the Penman Monteith FAO 56 model, validating the algorithm. The errors between the models were less than or equal to 1.00 mm day-1, results similar to those found in the literature. / A estimativa da evapotranspiração é fator chave no manejo hídrico sustentável em agricultura irrigada, a real necessidade hídrica da cultura de forma objetiva, sem gerar desperdício de energia e água pelo excesso de irrigação e sem comprometer a produção pelo déficit da mesma. Neste sentido, o estudo teve por objetivo estimar a evapotranspiração real diária-ETr, para escala local e regional, utilizando imagens Landsat 8 - OLI/TIRS e dados complementares coletados de uma estação meteorológica, aplicando-se o algoritmo Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land - SEBAL . A área do estudo fica localizada no oeste paranaense no município de Salto do Lontra, composta por áreas agrícolas irrigadas e de sequeiro, vegetação nativa e parte urbana. Foi utilizada imagem da órbita/ponto 223/78, nos dias juliano 336 de 2013 e 19, 35, 131 e 195 de 2014. A ETr diária foi estimada a partir da densidade de fluxo de calor latente (LE), obtida do resíduo da equação do balanço de energia. O algoritmo é constituído de várias etapas que incluem calibração radiométrica, cálculo da reflectância, albedo da superfície, índices de vegetação (NDVI, SAVI e índice de área foliar - IAF) e emissividade, sendo estes obtidos a partir de dados das bandas reflectivas do sensor orbital, com a temperatura da superfície estimada a partir da banda termal. Os resultados mostraram que o algoritmo estimou os componentes do balanço de energia, com valores geralmente superiores aos resultados de outros estudos. Quanto à Etr estimada, houve boa concordância entre estimativas obtidas pelo SEBAL e o modelo Penman Monteith FAO 56, validando o algoritmo. Os erros entre os modelos foram iguais ou menores a 1,00 mm dia-1, resultados semelhantes ao encontrado em literatura.

Mémoire (M.Ress.Renouv.)--Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 1996. / Document électronique également accessible en format PDF. CaQCU

The constant analysis of the condition of ciliary vegetation is fundamental in the management and conservation of natural resources as well as in the maintenance of local biodiversity. The main objective of this study is to detect and analyze the changes of vegetation cover of riparian areas in the Rio Vacacaí Mirim basin, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, using the technique of Radiometric Rotation Controlled by Axis of Non-Change (RCEN). The RCEN technique allows the control of the digital algorithm of the detection of these changes, through the radiometric rotation of the multitemporal image and band of the visible spectrum, generating an image detection of these changes. In this study, images from the remote sensor Thematic Mapper - Landsat 5 were used to visualize and obtain information from research areas and GIS to perform RCEN procedures and image visualization. At work, pairs of images were analyzed, between the years of 2001 and 2011, in periods of 5 to 10 years, allowing the analysis of these changes over time. The resulting detection images, after statistical analysis, were categorized into three classes: degradation, preservation and recovery of vegetation cover. These results are based on the values of the pixels analyzed in each of the studied scenes: in the areas of degradation the pixels present themselves with positive (clearer) values, in the preservation areas the pixels present themselves with values close to zero and in the recovery areas present negative (darker) values. The analysis of the resulting cartographic material allowed a broader and more detailed view of the change of the scene along the Vacacaí Mirim basin, resulting from the impact of the anthropic actions suffered and the new landscape of soybean cultivation, replacing the bovine farming areas. In the study it was verified how much the basin was degraded during 10 years, but in the analysis of the drainage along the same approximately 30% of the same one was in stage of conservation and regeneration. Increasingly, the need for studies, monitoring and inspection of riparian areas, so important in maintaining the aquatic ecosystem, availability and quality of water and preservation of biodiversity, as a consequence, with the mandatory registration of all rural owners in the Environmental Registry Rural, demonstrating the importance of research. / A análise constante da condição das vegetações ciliares é fundamental na gestão e conservação dos recursos naturais assim como na manutenção da biodiversidade local. O objetivo principal desse estudo é detectar e analisar as mudanças de cobertura vegetal de áreas ciliares na bacia do Rio Vacacaí Mirim, no estado do Rio Grande do Sul utilizando a técnica de Rotação Radiométrica Controlada por Eixo de Não Mudança (RCEN). A técnica RCEN permite o controle do algoritmo digital da detecção dessas mudanças, através da rotação radiométrica da imagem multitemporal e banda do espectro visível, gerando uma imagem detecção dessas mudanças. Neste estudo foram utilizadas imagens do sensor remoto Thematic Mapper - Landsat 5, para visualização e obtenção de informações das áreas de pesquisa e SIG para realização dos procedimentos da técnica RCEN e visualização das imagens detecção de mudanças. No trabalho, pares de imagens foram analisados, compreendidos entre os anos de 2001 e 2011, em períodos de 5 a 10 anos, possibilitando a análise dessas mudanças ao longo do tempo. As imagens detecção resultantes, após análises estatísticas, foram categorizadas em três classes: degradação, preservação e recuperação da cobertura vegetal. Estes resultados se baseiam nos valores dos pixels analisados em cada uma das cenas estudadas: nas áreas de degradação os pixels se apresentam com valores positivos (mais claros), nas áreas de preservação os pixels se apresentam com valores próximos a zero e nas áreas de recuperação, apresentam valores negativos (mais escuros). A análise do material cartográfico resultante, possibilitou uma visão mais ampla e detalhada da mudança da cena ao longo da bacia do Vacacaí Mirim, através do resultado do impacto das ações antrópicas sofridas e da nova paisagem de cultivo da soja em substituição a áreas de bovinocultura. No estudo verificou-se o quanto a bacia foi degradada ao longo de 10 anos, porém, na análise da drenagem ao longo da mesma aproximadamente 30% da mesma encontrou-se em estágio de conservação e regeneração. A cada dia aumenta a necessidade de estudos, monitoramento e fiscalização de áreas ciliares, tão importantes na manutenção do ecossistema aquático, da disponibilidade e qualidade da água e preservação da biodiversidade, consequentemente, com a obrigatoriedade da inscrição de todos os proprietários rurais no Cadastro Ambiental Rural, demonstrando a importância da pesquisa.

A preocupação com a preservação do patrimônio geológico em nível mundial gera a necessidade do desenvolvimento de novos conceitos como Geodiversidade, Geoconservação, Geoturismo, Geoparque e Geossítios. A área do projeto abrange na quase totalidade o território de Caçapava do Sul e parcialmente das cidades de Bagé, Lavras do Sul e Santana da Boa Vista. O objetivo desta pesquisa é realizar a caraterização ambiental dos geossítios existentes na região das Guaritas-Minas do Camaquã e que compõem a proposta de geoparque elaborada pelo Serviço Geológico do Brasil. A pesquisa é de natureza aplicada, com uma abordagem qualitativa, sendo que os objetivos propostos são necessariamente descritivos, pois trabalham com informações obtidas pela observação das características e condições ambientais dos geossítios. No desenvolvimento do projeto utilizou-se também a pesquisa bibliográfica com levantamento das referências teóricas e a pesquisa de campo, com coleta de dados na área de trabalho para validar as interpretações ambientais. Assim, os trinta geossítios e suas áreas de entorno foram estudados com o uso de imagens de satélite Landsat 8, geradas por sensoriamento remoto. Com a utilização de ferramentas de geotecnologias realizou-se o processamento, a análise, a interpretação e o tratamento destas imagens. Para a análise ambiental foi necessário adaptar o método de chaves de interpretação de objetos e feições de imagens digitais, que auxiliaram na caracterização ambiental de cada geossítio. Os resultados finais constataram que, mesmo com um longo histórico de ocupação e uso da terra com a pecuária extensiva, agricultura mecanizada e mineração, a região das Guaritas-Minas do Camaquã apresenta-se ambientalmente conservada e preservada. Portanto, é imprescindível o desenvolvimento e a implantação de um plano de geoconservação para que este importante e destacado patrimônio geológico, localizado na metade sul do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, se mantenha preservado e conservado para as gerações futuras e para a promoção do desenvolvimento sustentável através do geoturismo. / The concern with the preservation of geological heritage worldwide raises the need for the development of new concepts such as Geodiversity, Geoconservation, Geotourism, Geopark and Geosites. The project area covers almost all of the territory of Caçapava do Sul and partly the towns of Bagé, Lavras do Sul and Santana da Boa Vista. The objective of this research is to carry out the environmental characterization of the geosites in the region of Guaritas-Minas do Camaquã and that make up the geopark proposal drawn up by the geological survey of Brazil. The research is applied in nature, with a qualitative approach, since the proposed objectives are necessarily descriptive, because they work with information obtained by the observation of the characteristics and environmental conditions of geosites. In the development of the project was also the bibliographical research with survey of theoretical references and field research, with data collection on the desktop to validate environmental interpretations. Thus the thirty geosites and its surrounding areas have been studied with the use of satellite images Landsat 8, generated by remote sensing. The use of geotechnologies held up the processing, analysis, interpretation and processing of these images. The environmental analysis was necessary to adapt the method of interpretation of objects and features of digital images, which assisted in environmental characterization of each geosite. The results found, that even with a long history of occupation and use of land with extensive cattle raising, mechanized agriculture and mining, the region of Guaritas-Minas do Camaquã presents an environment conserved and preserved. Therefore, it is essential to develop and implement a plan of geoconservation for this important and outstanding geological heritage, located in the southern half of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, to maintain and preserve for future generations and for the promotion of sustainable development through geotourism.