Olga Brovkina

Complex Objects Remote Sensing Forest Monitoring and Modeling

In this paper the concept of integrated modeling and simulation processes of the Complex Natural and Technological Object (CNTO) is presented. The main goal of the investigations consists in the practice of the predetermined modeling. The practice direction as the remote sensing forest monitoring is proposed by the authors. Here the methodical foundations of the integrated modeling and simulation, the process of CNTO operation, the technology of the remote sensing forest monitoring are considered. Principal concern is attended to the continuity of the model and object solving practical issues. More over results of CNTO remote sensing forest monitoring make it possible to adapt models of this system to changing environment conformably to the forest management.

Remote Sensing for Environmental Monitoring. Complex Modeling

In this paper the concept of integrated modeling and simulation of the processes of the Complex Technical–Organizational System (CTOS) is presented. Practical directions of the remote sensing for environmental monitoring of the protected area are proposed by the authors. Methodical basis of the integrated modeling and simulation, the process of CTOS operation, and the technology of the remote sensing for environmental monitoring are considered. Results of CTOS remote sensing are shown to adapt models to a changing environment.

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for assessment of qualitative classification of Norway spruce in temperate forest stands

Abstract The study investigates the potential of UAV-based remote sensing technique for monitoring of Norway spruce health condition in the affected forest areas. The objectives are: (1) to test the applicability of UAV visible an near-infrared (VNIR) and geometrical data based on Z values of point dense cloud (PDC) raster to separate forest species and dead trees in the study area; (2) to explore the relationship between UAV VNIR data and individual spruce health indicators from field sampling; and (3) to explore the possibility of the qualitative classification of spruce health indicators. Analysis based on NDVI and PDC raster was successfully applied for separation of spruce and silver fir, and for identification of dead tree category. Separation between common beech and fir was distinguished by the object-oriented image analysis. NDVI was able to identify the presence of key indicators of spruce health, such as mechanical damage on stems and stem resin exudation linked to honey fungus infestation, while stem damage by peeling was identified at the significance margin. The results contributed to improving separation of coniferous (spruce and fir) tree species based on VNIR and PDC raster UAV data, and newly demonstrated the potential of NDVI for qualitative classification of spruce trees. The proposed methodology can be applicable for monitoring of spruce health condition in the local forest sites.

Intelligent Integrated Decision Support Systems for Territory Management

This study proposes a scientific and methodical approach to problem solving automation, and intellectualization of multi-criteria decision-making processes for territory management. The substantiation of the composition and structure of the Integrated Intelligent Decision Support System (IIDSS) in management areas is based on a methodology developed by the authors and technologies of proactive monitoring and management of the structural dynamics of complex objects.

Estimating average tree crown size using high-resolution airborne data

Abstract. Tree crown size is a key parameter of tree structure that has a variety of uses, including assessment of stand density, tree growth, and amount of timber volume assessment. Remote sensing techniques provide a potentially low-cost alternative to field-based assessments, but require the development of algorithms to easily and accurately extract the required information. This study presents a method for average crown diameter estimation on a plot level based on high-resolution airborne data. The method consists of the combination of a window binarization procedure and a granulometric algorithm. This approach avoids the complicated crown delineation procedure that is currently used to estimate crown size. The method was applied to a spruce mountain forest and was verified on 23 reference plots. The method achieved best results of R2=76% [RMSE=0.37  m (11.2% of the observed mean)] and R2=79% [RMSE=0.49  m (16.7% of the observed mean)]. The study investigates the dependence of the algorithm results on the sun altitude of each image, and determines the optimal combination of spectral bands from hyperspectral airborne images for the application of the method.

Analysing changes in land cover in relation to environmental factors in the districts of Znojmo and Třebíč (Czech Republic)

The aim of this study is to determine the influence of selected environmental factors on the dynamic changes in the landscape in the Czech Republic: 1) to detect land use changes between 1986–2013 along altitudinal gradients in two neighbouring Czech districts (Třebic and Znojmo), 2) to test if there is a relationship between the spatial distribution of the main changes and selected environmental factors, 3) to identify differences in the sizes of agricultural fields between 1953 and 2013, and whether they are associated with changes in agricultural land use. Satellite Landsat TM/ETM scenes for 1986, 1994, 2002 and 2013 were used to define land cover categories (arable land, grassland, coniferous forest, deciduous forest, mixed forest, urban areas and inland water). The association between the distribution of changes in land-cover with environmental factors such as gradient, aspect, altitude, topographic wetness index (TWI), less-favoured areas (LFA), main soil units and climate zones was determined. Only a limited proportion of landscape changes were dependent on environmental factors in the study area. Over the period 1994–2013 there was a decrease in arable land and increase in grassland, mainly in the LFA zone. Slope of the terrain was a dominating factor in landscape changes. The association with TWI values was most significant in permanent arable land and in grassland in transition to arable land. There was an increasing trend in the annual average temperature and sum of solar radiation in both the districts, Třebic and Znojmo. A change from small fields (1953) to large fields (2013) was recorded in the study area. Distribution of field sizes was different in LULC classes for different climatic zones and the main soil units.

Improved method for estimating tree crown diameter using high-resolution airborne data

Abstract. Automatic mapping of tree crown size (radius, diameter, or width) from remote sensing can provide a major benefit for practical and scientific purposes, but requires the development of accurate methods. This study presents an improved method for average tree crown diameter estimation at a forest plot level from high-resolution airborne data. The improved method consists of the combination of a window binarization procedure and a granulometric algorithm, and avoids the complicated crown delineation procedure that is currently used to estimate crown size. The systematic error in average crown diameter estimates is corrected with the improved method. The improved method is tested with coniferous, beech, and mixed-species forest plots based on airborne images of various spatial resolutions. The absolute (quantitative) accuracy of the improved crown diameter estimates is comparable or higher for both monospecies plots and mixed-species plots than the current methods. The ability of the improved method to produce good estimates for average crown diameters for monoculture and mixed species, to use remote sensing data of various spatial resolution and to operate in automatic mode promisingly suggests its applicability to a wide range of forest systems.

Models Adaptation of Complex Objects Structure Dynamics Control

In this paper we present a dynamic multiple criteria model of integrated adaptive planning and scheduling for complex objects (CO). Various types of CO are in use currently, for example: virtual enterprises, supply chains, telecommunication systems, etc. Hereafter, we refer to CO as systems of those types. The adaptation control loops are explicitly integrated within the model of analytical simulation. The mathematical approach is based on a combined application of control theory, operations research, systems analysis, and modeling and simulation theory. In particular, a scheduling problem for CO is considered as a dynamic interpretation. New procedures of dynamic decomposition help us to find the parameter values of the model’s adaptation. The example demonstrates a general optimization scheme to be applied to the problem of division of competencies between the coordinating and operating levels of the CO via parametric adaptation of the model’s described structure dynamics control processes.

Complex Objects Remote Sensing Monitoring and Modeling: Methodology, Technology and Practice

In this paper the concept of integrated modeling and simulation the processes of the Complex technical - organizational system (CTOS) is presented. The main goal of the investigations consists of the practice of the predetermined modeling. The practice direction as the remote sensing ecological monitoring of the highways and railways is proposed by the authors. Here the methodical foundations of the integrated modeling and simulation, the process of CTOS operation, the technology of the remote sensing ecological monitoring are considered. Principal concern is attended to the continuity of the model and object solving practical issues. More over results of CTOS remote sensing monitoring make it possible to adapt models of this system to changing environment.

Methodological and Technological Foundations of Remote Sensing Monitoring and Modelling of Natural and Technological Objects

Abstract In this paper, the remote sensing monitoring of natural and technological objects is represented as a concept of integrated modelling and simulation of the processes of the complex technical-organizational system (CTOS). The main goal of the study is to use in practice predetermined modelling. The paper considers the technology of remote sensing monitoring of the natural and technological objects, methodological foundations of the integrated modelling and simulation, and the process of CTOS operation. Special attention is devoted to the continuity of the model and object solving practical issues. Moreover, the results of CTOS remote sensing monitoring make it possible to adapt models of this system to a changing environment.