ID: 57787
Title: A symmetry detector for map generalization and urban-space analysis
Author: Jan-Henrik Haunert
Editor: George Vosselman
Year: 2012
Publisher: Elsevier, Vol 74, November 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
Keywords: GIS, Geometry, Algorithms, Generalization, Urban, Building
Abstract: This article presents an algorithmic approach to the problem of finding symmetries in building footprints, which is motivated by map generalization tasks such as symmetry-preserving building simplification and symmetry-aware grouping and aggregation. Moreover, symmetries in building footprints may be used for landmark selection and building classification. The presented method builds up on existing methods for symmetry detection in vector data that use algorithms for string matching. It detects both mirror symmetries and repetitions of geometric structures. In addition to the existing vector-based methods, the new method finds partial symmetries in polygons while allowing for small geometric errors and, based on a least-square approach, computes optimally adjusted mirror axes and assesses their quality. Finally, the problem of grouping symmetry relations is addressed with an algorithm that finds mirror axes that are almost collinear. The presented approach was tested on a large building dataset of the metropolitan Boston area and its results were compared with results that were manually generated in an empirical test. The symmetry relations that the participants of the test considered most important were found by the algorithm. Future work will deal with the integration of information on symmetry relations into algorithms for map generalization.
Location: TE 12, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57786
Title: The spectral response of Buxus sempervirens to different types of environmental stress-A laboratory experiment
Author: Steven M de Jong, Elisabeth A Addink, Priscilla Hoogenboom, Wiebe Nijland
Editor: George Vosselman
Year: 2012
Publisher: Elsevier, Vol 74, November 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
Keywords: Plant stress experiments, Spectral plant stress indices, Imaging spectroscopy, Mediaterranean, Peyne area
Abstract: The European Mediterranean regions are expected to encounter drier summer conditions and warmer temperatures for the winter of +20C and of +50C for the summer in the next six decennia. As a result the natural vegetation will face harsher conditions due to lower water availability, longer summer droughts and higher temperatures resulting in plant stress conditions. To monitor vegetation conditions like stress and leaf area index dynamics in our study area in Mediterranean France we use earth observation techniques like imaging spectroscopy. To assist anlaysis interpretation we carried out a laboratory experiments to investigate the spectral and visible response of buxus sempervirens, a common Mediterranean species, to five different types of stress; drought, drougth-and - heat, light deprivation, total saturation adn chlorine poisoning. For 52 days plants were subjected to stress. We collected data on the visible and spectral signs, and calculated thirteen vegetation indices. The plant ' s response time to different stress types varied from 10 to 32 days. Spectroscopic techniques revealed plant stress up to 15 days earlier than visual inspection. Visible signs of stress of the platns included curling and shrinking of the leaves, de-colouring of the leaves, leaves becoming breakable, opening up of the plant ' s canopy and sagging of the branches. Spectral signs of stress occurred first in the water absorption bands at 1450and 1940 nm, followed by reduced absorption in the visible wavelengths, and next by reduced reflectance in near infrared. Light deprivation did not result in any stress signs, while drought, drought and heat and chlorine poisoning resulted in significant stress. The spectral response did not show differences for different stress types. Analysis of the vegetation indices identified the Carter-2 (R695/R760), the Red-Green Index (R690/R550) and the Vogelman -2 (R734-R747)/(R715+R726) as the best performing ones to identify stress. The lab experiment shows that spectroscopic techniques are useful to detect stress status of plants and in an earlier stage than visible signs of stress become apparent, but that spectroscopy does not reveal the type of plant stress.
Location: TE 12, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57785
Title: Quantification of crown changes and change uncertainty of trees in an urban environment
Author: Juan P Ardila, Wietske Bijker, Valentyn A Tolpekin, Alfred Stein
Editor: George Vosselman
Year: 2012
Publisher: Elsevier, Vol 74, November 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
Keywords: Change detectin, Fuzzy change, Object change detection, Tree crown detection, Urban trees
Abstract: Local authorities require a detailed report of the state of green resources in ciites to quantify the benefits of urban trees and determine urban forestry interventions. This study uses bitemporal remote sensing data to monitor changes of urban trees over time. It presents a fuzzy approach to recognize the fuzziness of tree crowns from high resolution images in urban areas. The method identifies tree crown elliptical objects after iterative fitting of a Gaussina function to crown membership images of two dates. Gradual and abrupt changes are obtained, as well as a measure of change uncertainty for the retrieved objects. The method allows a dual treatment of change both as a crisp and a fuzzy process. This is demonstrated in two residential areas in the Netherlands using a set of Quickbird and aerial images. Results show that the proposed method is informative of the changes at the object level, recognizes the fuzzy character and mixed-pixel effect of tree crowns in images and it provides useful information to end users on change uncertainty.
Location: TE 12, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57784
Title: Mapping evergreen forests in the Brazilian Amazon using MODIS and PALSAR 500-m mosaic imagery
Author: Sage Sheldon, Xiangming Xiao, Chandrashekhar Biradar
Editor: George Vosselman
Year: 2012
Publisher: Elsevier, Vol 74, November 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
Keywords: PALSAR/ALOS, MODIS, Radar, SAR, Amazonia, Brazil
Abstract: In this study, we evaluate a methodology that uses dual-polarization L-band SAR 500-m mosaic PALSAR imagery to identify and map forests in the Brazilian. Amazon and an algorithm that uses time-series MODIS imagery to map evergreen forest. IKONOS images were used to evaluate forest maps derived from PALSAR and MODIS imagery. A comparison between the PALSAR forest map and IKONOS forest mpas shows that 91.4% of PALSAR - derived forest pixels had greater than 60% IKONOS-derived forest area. We also compared the PALSAR-derived forest map with the MODIS-derived evergreen forest map. Out of 1999 evergreen forest pixels in the MODIS evergreen forest map (the areas covered by the 11 IKONOS imagery), 1934 pixels were identified as forest by the PALSAR forest map, approximately96.7% agreement. The results of this study highlight the potential of combinging PALSAR and MODIS data for identifying and mapping evergreen forests in the Amazon.
Location: TE 12, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57783
Title: Mapping tropical forests and rubber plantations in complex landscapes by integrating PALSAR and MODIS imagery
Author: Jinwei Dong, Xiangming Xiao, Sage Sheldon, Chandrashekhar Biradar, Guishui Xie
Editor: George Vosselman
Year: 2012
Publisher: Elsevier, Vol 74, November 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
Keywords: PALSAR, MODIS, Evergreen forest, Deciduous forest, Rubber plantation, Hainan
Abstract: Knowledge of the spatial distribution of forest types in tropical regions is important for implementation of Reducing Emissions from Deforestatin and Forest Degradation (REDD), better understanding of the global carbon cycle, and optimal forest management. Frequent cloud cover in moist tropical regions poses challenges for using optical images to map and monitor forests. Recently, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) released a 50 m orthorectified mosaic product from the Phased Array Type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) onboard the Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS). PALSAR data provides information about the land surface without cloud interference. In this study we use the fine beam dual (FBD) polarization PALSAR 50 m mosaic imagery and a Neural Network (NN) method to produce a land cover map in Hainan Island, China. Subsequently, forest areas are classified into evergreen and deciduous forests and rubber plantations are mapped using vegetation and land surface water indices derived from 250 to 500 m resolution MODIS products. The PALSAR 50 m forest cover map, MODIS-based forest ypes and rubber plantation maps are fused to generate fractional maps of evergreen forest, deciduous forest and rubber plantation within 500 m or 250 m pixels. PALSAR data perform well for land cover classification (overall accuracy = 89% and Kappa Coefficient = 0.79) and forest identification (both the Producer ' s Accuracy and User ' s Accuracy are higher than 92%). The resulting land cover maps of forest, cropland, water and urban lands are consistent with the National Land Cover Dataset of China in 2005 (NLCD-2005). Validation from ground truth samples indicates that the resultant rubber plantation map is highly accurate (the overall accuracy = 85%). Overall , this study provides insight on the potential of integrating cloud-free 50 m PALSAR and temporal MODIS data on mapping forest types and rubber plantations in moist tropical regions.
Location: TE 12, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57782
Title: Estimation of vertical plant area density profiles in a rice canopy at different growth stages by high-resolution portable scanning lidar with a lightweight mirror
Author: Fumiki Hosoi, Kenji Omasa
Editor: George Vosselman
Year: 2012
Publisher: Elsevier, Vol 74, November 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
Keywords: Laser beam coverage index, plant area density, Portable scanning lidar, Rice, Three-dimensional imaging, Voxel-based canopy profiling
Abstract: We used a high-resolution portable scanning lidar together with a lightweight mirror and a voxel-based canopy profiling method to estimate the vertical plant area density (PAD) profile of a rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Koshihikari) canopy at different growth stages. To improve the laser ' s penetration of the dense canopy, we used a mirror to change teh direction of the laser beam from horizontal to vertical (00) and off-vertical (300). The estimates of PAD and plant area index (PAI) were more accurate at 300 than at 00. The root-mean-square errors of PAD at each growth stage ranged from 1.04 to 3.33 m2m-3 at 00 and from 0.42 to 2.36 m2m-3 at 300, and those across all growth stages averaged 1.79 m2m-3 at 00 and 1.52 m2m-3 at 300. The absolute percent errors of PAI at each growth stage ranged from 1.8% to 66.1% at 00 and from 4.3% to 23.2% at 300, and those across all growth stages average 30.4% at 00 and 14.8% at 300. The degree of laser beam coverage of the canopy (expressed as index ?) explained these errors. From the estimates of PAD at 300, regressions between the areas of stems, leaves, and ears per unit ground area and actual dry weights gave standard errors of 7.9 g m-2 for ears and 12.2 g m-2 for stems and leaves.
Location: TE 12, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57781
Title: Constructing satellite-derived hyperspectral indices sensitive to canopy structure variables of a Cordilleran Cypress (Austrocedrus chilensis) forest
Author: Marco A Pena, Alexander Brenning, Ariel Sagredo
Editor: George Vosselman
Year: 2012
Publisher: Elsevier, Vol 74, November 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
Keywords: Hyperspectral imaging, Spectral indices, Austrocedrus chilensis, Forest canopy structure, False discovery rate, multiple comparison problem
Abstract: Stellite hyperspectral data were used to construct empirical spectral indices related to the canopy structure of a Cordilleran Cypress (Austrocedrus chilensis) forest located in the Andes of central Chile. Measurements of three diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree height (TH) were performed for a set of plots located within a pure and unevenly aged stand of A. chilensis with moderate cover. Normalized difference vegetation indices (NDIs) related to DBH and TH were constructed from the corresponding hyperspectral data in Hyperion imagery. NDIs construction utilized the orginal spectral reflectance curve, its first derivative, and the continuum-removed relfectance in a two-step procedure that ranks NDIs based on their Spearman correlation with the response variable while controlling the false discovery rate. Several relfectance-based NDIs as well as a larger group of derivative-based NDIs were significantly related to DBH or TH (p>0.70). The NDIs most strongly related to the field variables were based on derivative bands located within the same spectral regions used by the broadband greenness index known as green normalized difference vegetation index. Most other significant NDIs used NIR bands, which are well-known for their sensitivity to foliage amount changes. The results obtained in this exploratory study mostly agreed with the spectral regions expected to be most sensitive to changes in the canopy structuer of vegetation. Further research in other A. chilensis forests subject to different site and environmental conditions is needed in order to assess the applicabililty of the NDIs over a wider range of this endemic species.
Location: TE 12, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57780
Title: Investigation roadside safety on Thai National Highways
Author: Opas Somchainuek, Pichai Taneerananon and Saravut Jaritngam
Editor: Prof Natarajan Gajendran
Year: 2013
Publisher: Indian society for education and environment, Vol 6, Issue 1, January 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Journal of Science and Technology
Keywords: Roadside crashes, Roadside hazards, roadside safety strategies
Abstract: Every year, the number of road crashes in Thailand, which result in about 12,000 deaths, has been around 1 million. About 12% of these crashes occur on national highways under the jurisdiction of the Department of Highways (DOH). For the past four years, 2007-2010, roadside crashes have constituted between 42.2 - 47.9% of the total crashes on the DOH ' s highways. On average there is about 12000 crashes on Thai national highways and roadside crash accounts 5900 cases or 44%. This paper describes the roadside crash situation on Thai highways by using DOH records of 949 crashes that occurred during 2007-2010 on 270 km. section in Southern Thailand. The results show that speeding vehicles are more likely to be involved in roadside crashes accounting for about 70% of the crashes. Among all passenger vehicles (passenger cars, vans, pickups, and songtaews (converted passenger pickup), pickups are more likely to be involved in roadside crashes as compared to other passenger vehicle types. Detailed investigation of in-depth roadside crashes is also described. The DOH has started actions the roadside tree problem, a description of the action is described the DOH Roadside Safety Strategic Plan 2009-2013.
Location: TE 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57779
Title: Co-composting of coconut coir pith with solid poultry manure
Author: George V Thomas, C Palaniswami, S R Prabhu, Murali Gopal and Alka Gupta
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 104, No 1, 10 January 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Coconut coir pith, growth promotion, poultry manure, quality compost
Abstract: Coir pith, a ligno-cellulosic biomass formed during extraction of coir fibre from coconut husk, accumulates as a waste material near coir processing factories causing environmental and disposal problems. The feasibiltiy of co-composting coir pith with solid poultry manure was tested with and without lime and rock phosphate amendment. The results revealed that the composting process facilitated by poultry manure amendment brought about bioconversion of coir pith to a final product in 45 days and the final product possessed physico-chmeical characteristics requried for qualtiy organic manure. C:N ratio, which is considered as a maturity index of composting process, reduced during the composting process, to 21.42. The results of plant test using cowpea as bioassay plant revealed that the compsot reached adequate maturity from biological point of view for use as an organic input in crop production.
Location: TE 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57778
Title: Bricks and mortars in Lucknow monuments of c. 17-18 century
Author: Durgesh C Rai and S Dhanapal
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 104, No 1, 10 January 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Bricks, chemical physical studies, historical mortars, Lucknow monuments
Abstract: Lucknow monuments which date back to 17-18th century are large masonry structures built using thin burnt-clay bricks (lakhauri) and lime-crushed brick aggregate (surkhi) mortars. Studies were carried out to characterize engineering properties of old mansonry materials and new mortars being used for the renovation work. Mechanical properties of reclaimed lakhauri bicks were found comparable to good-quality contemporary bricks of the neighbouring region. Moreover, XRD and SEM-EDS analyses indicated that mineralogical composition is not too different, except few minerals. The lime-surkhi mortar used in old mansonry work was found to be lime rich with binder to aggregate ratio of about 1:2 to 3 by volume and is similar to those used in Byzantine structures of Western and Central Asia. The renovation mortar had poor hydraulic property compared to old mortars indicated by TG-DTA analyses.
Location: TE 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57777
Title: A new sub-surface find of uranium mineralizaiton in Devri area, Porterozoic Surguja Crystalline Belt, Surguja district, Chhattisgarh
Author: Rajeev Bidwaj, U P Sharma, P K Sinha, A Majumdar and M K Roy
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 104, No 1, 10 January 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Crystalline rocks, radioactive outcrops, shear zone, uranium mineralization
Abstract: A new find of uranium mineralization associated with granite mylonite and cataclasite near Devri area (23031 ' 35", 830 08 ' 35", 64 M/2), Surguja district, Chhattisgarh is significant in enhancing the uranium potential known from the Proterozoic Surguja Crystalline Complex (SCC). Scanty radioactive surface outcrops extending for 30 m length with 10 m width were observed within paddy fields and soil-covered area. Shielded probe logging of the trench dug at the radioactive outcrop indicated mineralization of 0.014 % eU3O8 x 5.6 m. Initial exploratory core drilling has indicated strike and dip continuity of mineralization at depth for at least 260 and 100 m respectively, with the number of mineralized intercepts varying from 0.010% eU3O8 x 1.0 m to 0.028% eU3O8 x 4.68 m. Extensive shearing, cataclasis, mylonitization, calcitization, ferruginization and sericitization is associated with mineralized shear zone at depth. Data obtained so far in Devri area indicate a satellite uranium deposit in addition to the Jajawal deposit in the west and Dumhath in the east established earlier within the SCC. Gravity, magnetic and IP geophysical surveys along the main ENE-WSW structural grain may help in establishing high resistivity, low magnetic zones and deciphering the shear zones. This would help in tracing the shear zone for establishing uranium mineralization.
Location: TE 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57776
Title: Impact of climate change on wheat and winter maize over a sub-humid climatic environment
Author: Abdul Vahab Abdul Haris, Sandeep Biswas, Vandna Chhabra, Rajamanickam Elanchezhian and Bhagwati Prasad Bhatt
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 104, No 1, 10 January 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Climate change, maize, simulation studies, wheat
Abstract: Accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere has exposed us to the potential warming and its adverse effects on agriculture. The present study deals with the impact of climate change on winter wheat and maize using the Infrocrop model. Simulation studies were performed for differetn time periods using HADCM3 factors at four centres located in three different agroecological zones, with prevalent management practices. The results showed that under changed climate, wheat yield decreased whereas the yield of winter maize increased due to warmer winters and enhanced CO2 compared to baseline. Duration of both the crops has decreased owing to the higher temperatures during the growing period. The increase in yield of winter maize points to the suitability of the region for its cultivation in future. Further, increase in maize cultivation in locations with poor wheat yield could well be considered as an adaptation option.
Location: TE 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57775
Title: Ancient coastal transportation system along the Western Saurashtra coast: evidence from Navibandar
Author: A S Gaur, Sundaresh and Sila Tripati
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 104, No 1, 10 January 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Ancient coastal transportation, jetties, maritime exploration, roads
Abstract: A recent maritime archaeological exploration around Navibandar yielded evidence of ferry/jetty points. These points were well connected with the stone-paved roads. Interestingly, the roads have evidence of the use of bullock carts. Navibandar is situated on the eastern bank of the River Bhadar which joins the Arabian Sea about half a kilometer west of the village. The evidence recorded suggests that Navibandar played an auxillary role to Porbandar port in maritime activities during the medieval period.
Location: TE 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57774
Title: Commercializing technologies from universities and research institutes in India: some insights from the US experience
Author: Magesh Nandagopal
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 104, No 1, 10 January 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Commercializing technologies, research institutes, technology transfer offices, universities
Abstract: Translating research doen in universities and research institutes to products and services in the market takes considerable and sustained effort. Dedicated technology transfer offices (TTOs) and supporting systems are required to achieve this. Starting from attracting the right people, devising flexible models to work with various commercial partners (like large and small companies, start ups), bringing in external funding to further the technology goals, TTOs can perform a crucial role in commercializing academic technologies. Various strategies followed by TTOs in the US universities are analysed and suggestions to improve the technology transfer process in the Indian context are presented.
Location: TE 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57773
Title: Do endophytic fungi possess pathway genes for plant secondary metabolites?
Author: N Sachin, B L manjunatha, P Mohana Kumara, G Ravikanth, S Shweta, T S Suryanarayanan, K N Ganeshaiah, R Uma Shaanker
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 104, No 1, 10 January 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: TE 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None