Remotely sensed estimation of forest canopy density: A comparison of the performance of four methods     

Chudamani Joshi  Jan De Leeuw  Andrew K. Skidmore  Iris C. van Duren  Henk van Oosten 《International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation》2006

In recent years, a number of alternative methods have been proposed to predict forest canopy density from remotely sensed data. To date, however, it remains difficult to decide which method to use, since their relative performance has never been evaluated. In this study the performance of: (1) an artificial neural network, (2) a multiple linear regression, (3) the forest canopy density mapper and (4) a maximum likelihood classification method was compared for prediction of forest canopy density using a Landsat ETM+ image. Comparison of confusion matrices revealed that the regression model performed significantly worse than the three other methods. These results were based on a z-test for comparison of weighted kappa statistics, which is an appropriate statistic for analysis of ranked categories. About 89% of the variance of the observed canopy density was explained by the artificial neural networks, which outperformed the other three methods in this respect. Moreover, the artificial neural networks gave an unbiased prediction, while other methods systematically under or over predicted forest canopy density. The choice of biased method could have a high impact on canopy density inventories.  相似文献   

The relationships between tropical Atlantic sea level variability and major climate indices     

Jennifer A. M. Andrew  Harry Leach  Philip L. Woodworth 《Ocean Dynamics》2006,56(5-6):452-463

Relationships were examined between variability in tropical Atlantic sea level and major climate indices with the use of TOPEX/POSEIDON altimeter and island tide gauge data with the aim of learning more about the external influences on the variability of the tropical Atlantic ocean. Possible important connections were found between indices related to the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the sea levels in all three tropical regions (north, equatorial, and south), although the existence of only one major ENSO event within the decade of available altimetry means that a more complete investigation of the ENSO-dependence of Atlantic sea level changes has to await for the compilation of longer data sets. An additional link was found with the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) in the equatorial region, this perhaps surprising observation is probably an artifact of the similarity between IOD and ENSO time series in the 1990s. No evidence was obtained for significant correlations between tropical Atlantic sea level and North Atlantic Oscillation or Antarctic Oscillation Index. The most intriguing relationship observed was between the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation and sea level in a band centered approximately on 10°S. A plausible explanation for the relationship is lacking, but possibilities for further research are suggested.  相似文献   

The dynamics of a channel-fed lava flow on Pico Partido volcano, Lanzarote     

Duncan Woodcock  Andrew Harris 《Bulletin of Volcanology》2006,69(2):207-215

A short length of channel on Pico Partido volcano, Lanzarote, provides us the opportunity to examine the dynamics of lava flowing in a channel that extends over a sudden break in slope. The 1–2-m-wide, 0.5–2-m-deep channel was built during the 1730–1736 eruptions on Lanzarote and exhibits a sinuous, well-formed channel over a steep (11° slope) 100-m-long proximal section. Over-flow units comprising smooth pahoehoe sheet flow, as well as evidence on the inner channel walls for multiple (at least 11) flow levels, attest to unsteady flow in the channel. In addition, superelevation is apparent at each of the six bends along the proximal channel section. Superelevation results from banking of the lava as it moves around the bend thus causing preferential construction of the outer bank. As a result, the channel profile at each bend is asymmetric with an outer bank that is higher than the inner bank. Analysis of superelevation indicates flow velocities of ~8 m s^–1. Our analysis of the superelevation features is based on an inertia-gravity balance, which we show is appropriate, even though the down-channel flow is in laminar flow. We use a viscosity-gravity balance model, together with the velocities calculated from superelevation, to obtain viscosities in the range 25–60 Pa s (assuming that the lava behaved as a Newtonian liquid). Estimated volume fluxes are in the range 7–12 m³ s^–1. An apparent down-flow increase in derived volume flux may have resulted from variable supply or bulking up of the flow due to vesiculation. Where the channel moves over a sharp break in slope and onto slopes of ~6°, the channel becomes less well defined and widens considerably. At the break of slope, an elongate ridge extends across the channel. We speculate that this ridge was formed as a result of a reduction in velocity immediately below the break of slope to allow deposition of entrained material or accretion of lava to the channel bed as a result of a change in flow regime or depth.  相似文献   

Two Supervised Neural Networks for Classification of Sedimentary Organic Matter Images from Palynological Preparations     

Andrew F. Weller  Anthony J. Harris  J. Andrew Ware 《Mathematical Geosciences》2007,39(7):657-671

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Synergy of multiple geophysical approaches to unravel explosive eruption conduit and source dynamics - A case study from Stromboli   总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1  

Andrew Harris  Maurizio Ripepe 《Chemie der Erde / Geochemistry》2007,67(1):1-35

An effective approach to understanding the dynamics of explosive volcanic eruptions and the conduit systems that drive them is through synergy of multiple data sets. Three data sets that lend themselves to ease of integration are seismic, infrasonic and thermal. Although approaches involving these data have been used to record volcanological phenomena since 1862, 1955 and 1965, respectively, their integrated use has only developed since 1999. When combined, these three data sets allow constraint of shallow system geometry and the dynamics of the explosive events that occur within that system. Using Stromboli volcano (Italy) as a case study, we review the complete range of geochemical and geophysical studies that can be applied. In doing so, we aim to show how integration of these diverse studies allows insights into a plumbing system and the dynamics of the eruptive activity that the system feeds. When combined at Stromboli, these data provide constraint of multiple system parameters including chamber depths, gas and magma fluxes, shallow system magma residence times, explosion source depths, and the rise/ejection velocities of ascending gas slugs and ejecta. In turn, these results allow various conduit and eruption dynamic models to be applied and tested.The persistent and repeated mildly explosive events that characterize Stromboli have been modeled in terms of the coalescence of gas within the magma to form large gas slugs that ascend the remaining portion of the conduit to burst at the free surface. Our integrated seismic, infrasonic and thermal data sets indicate that gas coalescence occurs at a depth of ∼260 m, with a typical event frequency of ∼9/h. Infrasonic and thermal data show the explosion source to be located 20-220 m below the vent. Thermal data give emission velocities for the ejected fragments of 8-20 m/s, which converts to gas jet velocities of 23-39 m/s. Tracking these parameters in space and time shows that, although eruptions at Stromboli can be grouped into two characteristic types (simple and complex-each of which characterizes a particular crater, NE and SW, respectively), events within each type show significant short-term variability. The system does, however, appear robust, maintaining its characteristic strombolian eruption style after significant effusive phases and more energetic explosive events.  相似文献   

Formation of iron sulfide nodules during anaerobic oxidation of methane   总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1  

Bart E. van Dongen  Andrew P. Roberts  Wei-Teh Jiang  Richard D. Pancost 《Geochimica et cosmochimica acta》2007,71(21):5155-5167

The biomarker compositions of iron sulfide nodules (ISNs; upper Pliocene Valle Ricca section near Rome, Italy) that contain the ferrimagnetic mineral greigite (Fe₃S₄) were examined. In addition to the presence of specific terrestrial and marine biomarkers, consistent with formation in coastal marine sediments, these ISNs contain compounds thought to originate from sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB). These compounds include a variety of low-molecular-weight and branched alkanols and several non-isoprenoidal dialkyl glycerol diethers (DGDs). In addition, archaeal biomarkers, including archaeol, macrocyclic isoprenoidal DGDs and isoprenoidal glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers are also present. Both SRB and archaeal lipid δ¹³C values are depleted in ¹³C (δ¹³C values are typically less than −50‰), which suggests that the SRB and archaea consumed ¹³C depleted methane. These biomarker and isotopic signatures are similar to those found in cold seeps and marine sediments where anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) occurs with sulfate serving as the terminal electron acceptor. Association of AOM with formation of greigite-containing ISNs could provide an explanation for documented remagnetization of the Valle Ricca sediments. Upward migration of methane, subsequent AOM and associated authigenic greigite formation are widespread processes in the geological record that have considerable potential to compromise paleomagnetic records.  相似文献   

Grounding the virtual: The material effects of electronic grocery shopping     

Andrew J. Murphy 《Geoforum》2007,38(5):941-953

This paper addresses the materiality of computer-mediated retailing. The paper uncovers the “hidden geography” of e-commerce, considering how the seemingly simple act of doorstep food delivery is explicated in urban form, and in transportation and communication infrastructures. The paper categorises electronic grocery shopping (EGS) enterprises into three types: “bricks and clicks”, “pure-play” and the “infomediary”, and examines how each type of operation has been materialised in the urban landscape, and the infrastructure upon which each draws. The paper then considers the strategies EGS operations have used to offset the “killer costs” of logistics for electronic commerce. The paper concludes by considering how electronic grocery shopping is embedded within broader trends in consumer behaviour, and how these trends are manifested in the materiality of urban life. The paper argues that online grocers are in the vanguard of ventures habituating customers to the remote ordering and delayed delivery of products to the home. Through controlling this “last mile”, online retailers hope to extend the product offer to higher-margin and more problematic products, which are in themselves unprofitable to distribute direct to the customer, but which can be profitably combined with a grocery shop.  相似文献   

Raman microspectroscopy: A non-destructive tool for routine calibration of apatite crystallographic structure for fission-track analyses     

Massimiliano Zattin  Danilo Bersani  Andrew Carter 《Chemical Geology》2007,240(3-4):197-204

Compositional control on the annealing kinetics of fission-tracks (FT) in apatite requires routine measurement of sample grain composition. However, for practical reasons the bulk composition of analysed grains is not routinely measured and instead grain chlorine content or etch-pit dimensions are used to characterise a samples annealing behaviour. A more desirable approach is to measure crystallographic parameters (i.e. unit cell dimension) of a grain as these represent the summed effect of all substitutions and crystal defects. We show how Raman microspectrometry can be used as a routine non-destructive tool to obtain rapid measurement of the crystallographic structure of apatite grains etched for FT analysis. Variations of unit cell parameter a are found to correspond to a systematic variation of Raman shift in the range of 452–440 cm^− 1 for measurements made on c-parallel sections of apatite where the direction of the polarized incident beam is parallel to the c axis.  相似文献   

作为赋存于花岗岩中钨锡矿化勘探指南的流体包裹体异常——前景展望   总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1  

Andrew H Rankin 《岩石学报》2007,23(1):3-14

Studies of the distribution and abundance of fluid inclusions in granitic quartz associated with granite-hosted Sn-W mineralization of the British Isles reveal local and regional scale anomalies.At a sampling interval of c.5～50m,inclusion abundances increase towards zones of vein and stockwork mineralization exemplified by case history examples from exploration prospects in the Mourne Mountains of Northern Ireland and the Carrock Fell mining district of northwestern England.These steam aureoles provide a greater exploration target than the zone of visible alteration and mineralization and the lithogeochemical halo.But it is important to link them to geochemical data on fluid inclusion compositions,such as the semi-quantitative data from decrepitation-linked,ICP-AES (D-ICP)analysis,to optimize their exploration potential.Regional scale fluid inclusion anomalies,based on sampling intervals of c. 2km from the Sn-W mineralized granites of southwest England also broadly correlate with zones of intense mineralization in some areas. Regional-scale D-ICP analyses of quartz from SW England granites did not provide any convincing regional scale anomalies linked to mineralization except for positive boron anomalies around the centrally-mineralized Birch Tor area of the Dartmoor granite.Follow-up D-ICP analysis of quartz from stream sediments from this area,however,could be used to discriminate between samples related to mineralization from those draining unmineralized areas,using multivariate statistical analysis.At the present stage of development, the main contribution of fluid inclusion studies to mineral exploration is mostly limited to the conceptual stage where they continue to contribute to ore genetic theory and models.Costs and lack of knowledge transfer between research scientists and mineral explorationists limit their direct use during regional and target selection stages of exploration.Analysis of steam sediment quartz,using the more sensitive ICP-MS technique as a variant of the D-ICP method,appears to offer the greatest potential for future development as an exploration tool.  相似文献   

Geographic and temporal trends in proboscidean and human radiocarbon histories during the late Pleistocene     

Andrew Ugan  David Byers   《Quaternary Science Reviews》2007,26(25-28):3058-3080

The causes of large animal extinctions at the end of the Pleistocene remain a hotly debated topic focused primarily on the effects of human over hunting and climate change. Here we examine multiple, large radiocarbon data sets for humans and extinct proboscideans and explore how variation in their temporal and geographic distributions were related prior to proboscidean extinction. These data include 4532 archaeological determinations from Europe and Siberia and 1177 mammoth and mastodont determinations from Europe, Siberia, and North America. All span the period from 45,000 to 12,000 calendar years BP. We show that while the geographic ranges of dated human occupations and proboscidean remains overlap across the terminal Pleistocene of the Old World, the two groups remain largely segregated and increases in the frequency of human occupations do not coincide with declines in proboscidean remains. Prior to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; ca 21,000 years BP), archaeological ¹⁴C determinations increase slightly in frequency worldwide while the frequency of dated proboscidean remains varies depending on taxon and location. After the LGM, both sympatric and allopatric groups of humans and proboscideans increase sharply as climatic conditions ameliorate. Post-LGM radiocarbon frequencies among proboscideans peak at different times, also depending upon taxon and location. Woolly mammoths in Beringia reach a maximum and then decline beginning between 16,000 and 15,500 years BP, woolly mammoths in Europe and Siberia ca 14,500 and 13,500 BP, and Columbian mammoth and American mastodont only after 13,000 BP. Declines among woolly mammoths appear to coincide with the restructuring of biotic communities following the Pleistocene–Holocene transition.  相似文献