Significant land-use changes in North Dakota have been reported and are widespread over the entire state. Such changing patterns may portend localized impairment to agricultural watersheds. In this study, Land-use Land-cover (LULC) change was modeled using geostatistics. The study area was within the Pipestem Creek watershed, a part of the Missouri Watershed James Subregion of North Dakota, USA. Landsat Thematic mapper images from the years 2007, 2011 and 2015 were used as preliminary data. LULC information for these datasets was acquired from the Global Land-cover facility and Landsat Program. Data analysis, spectral classification and post classification techniques were applied on the datasets. A transition matrix was derived using a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) model. This study demonstrates that the integration of satellite remote sensing, GIS and statistics may be an effective approach for analyzing the direction, rate, and spatial pattern of land-use change.
Spatial causal effects on water quality are essential in identification of vulnerable watersheds. Modelling landuse variables is an effective method of projecting localized impairment. This study presents an integrated index, designed to gauge the ability of an 8-digit Hydrologic Unit Code watershed in its ability to produce clean water. This index, I APCW , can be successfully applied on a geospatial platform. In this study we utilized I APCW to address forest cover dynamics of an impaired watershed, that is, Missouri Watershed James Sub-region in North Dakota. Specific parametric functions were analysed and combined within a customized GIS interface to provide a multi-faceted structured technique to derive I APCW. These included ambient forest cover, housing density, agricultural land, soil erodibility and road density; it can be lucidly ascertained that where a prevailing forest cover undergoes conversion processes, the secondary effect may spur an exponential increase in water treatment costs. These parameters when projected statistically validated temporal and spatial relations of landuse/land cover dynamics to nutrient concentrations especially those that would be noted at the mouth of the watershed. In this study, we found that the levels of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) were much higher for the years 2014 to 2016 with a discernible increased alkalizing effect within the watershed. When I APCW was compared to Annualized Agricultural Nonpoint Source (AnnAGNPS), the spatial distribution generated by the AnnAGNPS study showed that fallow areas produced significant amounts of sediment loads from the sub-watershed. These same locations in this study generated a low I APCW .
A major threat to biodiversity in North Dakota is the conversion of forested land to cultivable land, especially those that act as riparian buffers. To reverse this trend of transformation, a validation and prediction model is necessary to assess the change. Spatial prediction within a Geographic Information System (GIS) using Kriging is a popular stochastic method. The objective of this study was to predict spatial and temporal transformation of a small agricultural watershed-Pipestem Creek in North Dakota; USA using satellite imagery from 1976 to 2015. To enhance the difference between forested land and non-forested land, a spectral transformation method-Tasseled-Cap's Greenness Index (TCGI) was used. To study the spatial structure present in the imagery within the study period, semivariograms were generated. The Kriging prediction maps were post-classified using Remote Sensing techniques of change detection to obtain the direction and intensity of forest to non-forest change. TCGI generated higher values from 1976 to 2000 and it gradually reduced from 2000 to 2011 indicating loss of forested land.
Understanding forest transiting at wildland-urban interfaces offers a glimpse into the effect of anthropogenic activities that may threaten biota.We examined forest conversion from 2006 to 2011 at urban-wildland fringes in Cass County, North Dakota. Grid data from the National Agricultural Statistic Service, published by USDA, was used as preliminary inputs to ascertain land-use and land-cover dynamics. Markovian transition probabilities were derived for each pair of years from 2006 to 2011. These transition probabilities were further subjected to multivariate analysis to detect forest change in one-year time steps. From this study, pairwise combinations of years yielded two distinct statistical groups. The first group comprised of seven pairs of year combinations displaying high transition probability of unchanged forest (0.54 ≤ P ff ≤ 0.68), while the second group comprised of eight pairs of year combinations and showed a low transition probability of unchanged forest (0.26 ≤ P ff ≤ 0.37). A third group displayed comparatively high transition probabilities of forest transiting to non-forest (0.26 ≤ P fnf ≤ 0.36), such as forest to row crops, with an increasing trend over time. We also generated the forest cover in relation to soil characteristics. We can surmise that forest cover at poorly drained soils showed a higher distribution, which could be due to the unsuitability of this soil for crop cultivation. The results of this study on how land-cover has changed in Cass County for the last six years could be used by policy makers and forest managers in applying BMPs (Best Management Practices).
Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) is a phloem-feeding beetle native to Asia that is causing widespread mortality of ash trees in eastern North America. In this study, we quantify ash mortality risk associated with potential anthropogenic-induced introduction of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in North Dakota. The cohort model is calibrated with data from Ohio using weighting across factors-proximity to existing ash stands, campgrounds, roads and rails-to get a more accurate assessment of overall ash mortality risk. These factors are known to be associated with introduction of EAB to unaffected areas. Two protocols, a) "detection trees" and b) EAB traps are utilized to investigate EAB presence. Ash mortality risk maps such as the ones produced here may guide the placement of traps. Although North Dakota regions of high density ash tree stands are few, the resulting relative ash mortality risk map displays: a) very high risk areas around the Turtle Mountains and Theodore Roosevelt National Park and b) regions of high relative risk along the main riparian corridors. The applicability of risk maps such as the one developed may aid in assessing areas that may require significant monitoring.
Orbital platforms spectral sensitivity can be a major limitation in ascertaining detailed identification and mapping of arboreal ecosystems. Field-derived spectral signatures using a narrow-band sensor, for example, ASD (Analytical Spectral Devices, Boulder, CO, USA) FieldSpec ® Pro cover a spectral FR (Full Range) of 350-2500 nm exceeding spectral sensitivities of commonly used orbital platforms. The plausibility of deriving a spectral library of trees or forests within a training set is venerable. On the other hand, diagnostic spectral features between tree species or types are inherently difficult to ascertain from orbital platforms. This is so especially when the spectral library is applied to a demarcated region beyond the extents of training set. Basic suborbital limitations in detailed identification of trees and forests are presented in this study. We draw attention to spectral or temporal deficiencies and offer probable solutions depending on preferred or optimal spectral sensitivities. For example, Hyperion with 220 bands (400-2500 nm), one of the three primary instruments on the EO-1 spacecraft, has narrow bandwidths and covers the entire range of the spectral profiles collected for North Dakota tree species. With a 30 m spatial resolution, it is still useful in species identification in moderate stands of forest. Hyperion is a tasking satellite with limited passes over North Dakota (≈7% of total area) limiting its use as a platform of choice for statewide forest resource mapping.
Geographic and Geospatial information systems (GISs) have especially benefited from increased development of their inherent capabilities and improved deployment. These systems offer a wide range of services, for example, user-friendly forms that interact with the geospatial components for locational information and geographic extents. An online distributed platform was designed for forest resource management with map elements residing on a GIS platform. This system is accessible on non-authenticated browsers optimized for desktops; whereas the online resource management forms are also accessible on mobile platforms. The system was primarily designed to aid foresters in implementing resource management plans or track threats to forest resource. Baseline data from the system can be easily visualized and mapped. Other data from the systemcan provide input for stochastic analyses especially with respect to forest resource management.
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