Valentina I. Kravtsova

Satellite Monitoring of the Aral Sea Region

The efficiency of using satellite information (satellite imagery, measurements from radiometers and altimeters) for tracing the dynamics of various characteristics of the Aral Sea during its desiccation is demonstrated. Interannual variability of morphometric parameters of the sea and its parts is considered (1957–2008), as well as that of sea surface temperature (SST) (1982–2000), sea level (1992–2006), dates of the first and last observations of ice cover (1992–2005), amount of atmospheric precipitation over the catchment areas (1979–2001), and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) (1981–2001). Seasonal changes in landscape of a former sea bottom have been analyzed and mapped. Examples of manifestation of various processes in water (coastal upwelling, vortices, wind surges, etc.) and atmosphere (dust/salt storms) on satellite images are presented.

Impact of reservoirs on the hydrological regime and morphology of the lower reaches and delta of the Zambezi River (Mozambique)

The recent general geographic characteristics of the Zambezi River basin and its delta are discussed. The main hydroclimatic features of the river basin and delta are revealed. The fluvial and marine factors that influence the river delta are discussed in detail. Close attention is given to the effect of the large reservoirs of Kariba and Cahora Bassa on the hydrological regime, morphology, and ecosystem of the Lower Zambezi valley and the river delta. Considerable changes in the delta and its coastline that occurred over the last decades are revealed.

The response of river mouths to large-scale variations in sea level and river runoff: Case study of rivers flowing into the Caspian Sea

Regularities in the response of the mouths of major rivers, flowing into the Caspian Sea, to large-scale variations in its level and river water runoff and sediment yield are considered. Changes in the morphological structure and hydrological regime of the Volga, Terek, Sulak, Ural, and Kura mouths have been analyzed in both geological past and separately for three modern periods: a considerable drop in Caspian Sea level before 1978, its abrupt rise in 1978–1995, and a relative stabilization in the subsequent years. Specific features were identified in the hydrological-morphological processes in different mouths, caused by the differences in river sediment yields, and the slopes of delta surface and mouth nearshore beds. Some theoretical and methodological approaches were verified in the analysis and evaluation of the processes under consideration. The obtained results of studies of the mouths of rivers flowing into the Caspian Sea can be regarded as examples and analogues in the assessment of processes, which take place at the mouths of other Russian and world rivers at present and can take place in the future under anticipated natural and anthropogenic variations in sea level and river runoff.

Mapping the Anapa bay bar geosystems on the basis of satellite remote sensing and ground data

Our study is focused on the Anapa Bay Bar, a 43-km long body of sand on the Black Sea coast, which stretches from the Russian town of Anapa to the Zhelezny Rog Cape on the Taman’ peninsula. It is a major recreational resource and a host to unique ecosystems of beaches and partially vegetated sand dunes. Due to large recreational pressure, it is important to identify features of the bay bar that have to be preserved in order to keep this resource sustainable. We have conducted landscape and morphological mapping with WorldView-2 images. Methods included field research, analysis of multitemporal stereopairs and automated image interpretation to create maps of key areas of the Anapa Bay Bar. In our paper we showcase the map for a section of the Anapa Bay Bar created through visual image interpretation. It presents all morphological elements such as beaches, sand dunes, sand ridges and lowlands adjoining lagoons. Each element has its specific vegetation and sustainability against recreational pressure. We also present results of automated image analysis of seasonal dynamics of the beach and dunes on the basis of multitemporal imagery.

Atlas "space methods for geoecology": a new tool for remote sensing education in Earth sciences

A new atlas of satellite images, published by Moscow State University, characterizes the potential of satellite methods for investigation of global ecological problems, such as global climate warming, loss of plant biomass, depletion of ozone layer. More detailed maps are given for Russia and neighboring territories, e.g. regional ecological problems, related to sea level fluctuations, air pollution and water contamination, anthropogenic impact in different natural conditions of the tundra, forest, steppe, desert zones. The range of problems examined in the Atlas include deforestation, erosion, desertification, technogenic impact in mining and industrial regions, effects caused by urbanization and nature management, as well as natural disasters and nature conservation. The experience of educational use of the Atlas is analyzed. The main principles of development of an electronic version for the Atlas are described.

Variations of Trends in Delta Development under the Effect of External Natural and Anthropogenic Factors: Case Study of the Modern Huang He Mouth

The paper considers the major geographic features of the modern Huang He delta, which ranks among the most rapidly varying in the world. The structure of the hydrographic network and the combination of the natural and anthropogenic geosystems of the delta are characterized. The major external riverine and marine, as well as local anthropogenic factors that have affected the development of the Huang He delta in the recent half century are identified. The regularities of the jump-like development of the Huang He delta in the XIX–early XXI centuries are considered. Special attention is paid to the development of the delta after the artificial redistribution of flow in its boundaries in 1996. Satellite images and methods of their interpretation improved by the authors were used. The trends in Huang He delta development are shown to have changed since the last quarter of the XX century under the effect of an abrupt decrease in river sediment load and the growing impact of marine factors. The active progradation of the delta into the sea slowed down significantly, accompanied by erosion and retreat in many segments of its coastline. Huang He delta was used to establish the conditions of changes in the development trends of other deltas under the effect of changes in the climate and economic activity.

Design of electronic training aids on new types of satellite images and interpretation methods by Inter-University Aerospace Centre

The Inter-University Scientific and Methodological Centre for Aerospace Methods of Research and Mapping was established in 1978 at the Faculty of Geography of the Moscow State University on the base of Aerospace Methods Laboratory. The activity of the Centre has long been directed to strengthening of remote sensing education in Russian universities by organizing short-term intensive training courses and workshops for university teachers and by elaborating special training-aids on application of remotely sensed images for geographic research. In recent years the educational work of the Centre has been directed towards teaching satellite images interpretation for earth science with the help of up-to-date technologies. Since 2000 Internet-based technologies of teaching were being introduced. Educational material of the first five Internet-seminars are planned to be fixed as an electronic manual, or training aids on CD-ROM. Content and structure of the manual are discussed.

Monitoring of the Caspian deltas changes by space imagery

Deltas on the Caspian Sea coasts are characterised by large-scale changes connected with deep fall of the sea level in 30/sup th/ to 70/sup th/ and fast rise by 2.4 m in 1978-1995, as well as with anthropogenic reduction of the sediment discharges (especially for the Sulak and Kura Rivers). Monitoring of this stage of deltas dynamics was provided by space surveys. A series of dynamics maps were compiled for the Terek, Sulak, Kura and Ural deltas using multitemporal satellite images. Materials for the Sulak and Kura deltas are presented and analysed in the paper. The reaction of deltas to the Caspian Sea level rise (realised in partly inundation and abrasion of the delta coasts, and changes of their landscapes) can be used as an analogue phenomenon for forecasting of processes which can take place in world river deltas in the case of proposed global sea level rise.

INTAS Project: remote sensing Internet technologies based teaching

A new stage of satellite environmental monitoring started when Internet and modern information technologies emerged. It is marked by a wide use of telecommunication infrastructure as well as hypertext and interactive information techniques which are extremely promising for remote sensing of the environment. WWW technologies are now used for distant teaching. Widespread introduction of the Internet and development of integrated hardware and software systems brings principally new possibilities for information access and system building in education.