Contribution of space remote sensing to river studies

Abstract

1.A review is presented of types of satellite remote-sensing data currently available, and their recent uses in studies of river systems. 2. Broad-scale assessments of relative water quality may be carried out, although precise indication of water quality requires samples to be taken in situ. 3. In the event of flooding, the extent of inundation may be determined and damage assessed quickly. Some radar data allow measurements of flood water even when obscured by vegetation. 4. Riparian vegetation may be mapped over large areas, although the recognition of specific tree species remains difficult. 5. One of the most basic and widely used applications of remote-sensing data for rivers is that of mapping, both as a single event and over time to follow changes, e.g. channels in a delta. Entire catchments may be mapped, although the efficiency of detection of low-order streams is dependent upon the characteristics of the system used. 6. Remote-sensing data has been widely used in all of the above types of study, but is rarely employed on a long-term basis. Several factors can explain this situation, including, for example, the absence of reliable absolute relationships between spectral data and ecological parameters. 7. A clear definition of observational needs (e.g. spectral bands, ground resolution, acquisition frequency) of stream ecologists, together with the identification of ecological parameters that may be collected relatively easily from space, will improve remote sensing as an ecological tool in many restoration and management situations.

Quantifying channel planform and physical habitat dynamics on a large braided river using satellite data—the Brahmaputra, India

“…The utility of satellite remote sensing data to detect channel planform and channel migration on large rivers has been recognized for many years (Muller et al, 1993;Milton et al, 1995;Gilvear et al, 1995;Leuven et al, 2002;Gilvear and Bryant, 2003). Remotely sensed data were also a pre-requisite for developing an understanding of the linkage between channel planform change and habitat on the world's largest rivers.…”

An Object-Based Image Analysis Method for Monitoring Land Conversion by Artificial Sprawl Use of RapidEye and IRS Data

“…distributed in a disorganized way throughout the area. Many researchers have pointed to the limited accuracy of this method of classification, the "salt and pepper" effect being responsible for this drawback (e.g., [6,[13][14][15][16][17][18][19]). Object-based image analysis (OBIA) has proven to be an effective way of solving this problem.…”

Identification of River Bank Erosion and Inundation Hazard Zones Using Geospatial Techniques – A Case Study of Indus River Near Layyah District, Punjab, Pakistan

“…Winterbottom & Gilvear (2000) used a GIS-based approach for mapping probabilities of river bank erosion in regulated River Tummel, Scotland. Muller, Decamps, and Dobson (1993) in their review summarized the currently available satellite data and its applications in river system studies. Khan and Ali (2003) studied the effects of erosion on Indus River Bio-diversity.…”

“…Large number of studies have been conducted in the past related to monitoring of erosion either direct detection or detection of erosion consequences and river bank shifting using remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) (Fuller, Large, & Milan, 2003;Kotoky et al, 2005;Kummu, Lu, Rasphone, Sarkkula, & Koponen, 2008;Lawler, 1993;Li, Lu, & Chen, 2007;Muller, Decamps, & Dobson, 1993;Pati et al, 2008;Rinaldi, 2003;Sarkar, 2012;Surian, 1999;Thakur, Laha, & Aggarwal, 2012;Yang, 1996;Yang, Damen, & van Zuidam, 1999). Lawler (1993) did a review on measurement of the river bank erosion and lateral channel changes.…”