Monitoring deterioration of vegetation cover in the vicinity of smelting industry, using statistical methods and TM and ETM+ imageries, Sarcheshmeh copper complex, Central Iran

Abstract

Simple statistical methods on Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and bands 3 and 4 data of relatively coarse resolution Thematic Mapper (TM) and Enhanced Thematic Mapper plus (ETM(+)) imageries were used to investigate the impacts of air pollution on the deterioration of the vegetation cover in the Sarcheshmeh copper complex of central Iran. Descriptive statistics and k-means cluster analysis indicated that vegetation deterioration had already started in the prevailing wind directions. The results show that combination of simple statistical methods and satellite imageries can be used as effective monitoring tools to indicate vegetation stress even in regions of sparse vegetation. Despite various possible perturbing factors upon NDVI, this index remains to be a valuable quantitative vegetation monitoring tool.

Retrieval and Comparison of Forest Leaf Area Index Based on Remote Sensing Data from AVNIR-2, Landsat-5 TM, MODIS, and PALSAR Sensors

“…In consideration of the limitations of specific physical models in data sources as well as input variable requirements, the statistical modeling approaches are suited for applications under different environmental conditions and imaging systems due to the above-mentioned advantages [6]. Thus, the simple linear regression model was chosen in this study for accuracy comparisons among different optical sensors with varied resolutions, as well as between optical and SAR sensors.…”

“…With regard to the spectral characteristics of green vegetation in specific bands, they reflect their own biophysical features and environmental impacts. Thus, the surface reflectance of some specific spectral bands can be used to establish regression models with biophysical parameters [5,6]. Nevertheless, considering the differences in the wavelength range and bandwidth among different optical sensors, direct comparisons using single-band reflectance are limited and spectral indices can be derived and applied to improve the accuracy.…”

Spatial–temporal succession of the vegetation in Xishuangbanna, China during 1976–2010: A case study based on RS technology and implications for eco-restoration

“…forest ecological system, playing a significant and irreplaceable role in preserving ecosystem health and regional ecological security. However, in some countries and regions, natural vegetation was often confronted with destroy or degradation because of natural disaster or human disturbance (HinojosaHuerta et al, 2013;Cui et al, 2012;Miettinen et al, 2011;Rastmanesh et al, 2010;Hreško et al, 2009); by contrast, artificial vegetation was characterized with unordered establishment and rapid expansion without restraint (Senf et al, 2013;Koh et al, 2011;Oballa et al, 2010;Wei and Xu, 2003), which not only led to the sharp change in land use pattern (Uriarte et al, 2010;Li et al, 2008;Lambin and Geist, 2006), further to a series of ecological environment problems (Stanturf et al, 2013;Carlson et al, 2012;Liu and Li, 2010;Qiu, 2009), such as decrease in biodiversity (Wang et al, 2014;Hosoishi et al, 2013;Qiu, 2009;Li et al, 2007;Beukema et al, 2007;Zhu et al, 2004;Eshetu and Olavi, 2003), invasion of alien species (Yu et al, 2013aLi et al, 2013;Moreira et al, 2013;Zuo et al, 2012;Richardson et al, 2007), and loss of soil and water resources (Briggs et al, 2013;Singwane and Malinga, 2012;Joshi and Palanisami, 2011;Robinson et al, 2006;Zheng, 2006;Yang et al, 2004;Behera and Sahani, 2003), etc., but also brought unprecedented difficulties a...…”

Spatial-temporal vegetation succession in Yao’an County, Yunnan Province, Southwest China during 1976–2014: A case survey based on RS technology for mountains eco-engineering

“…Since the late 20th century, in search of rapid socio-economic growth, many countries and regions developed at the cost of natural resources and eco-environment, leading to shocking eco-environment problems, among which there were quite a few typical examples for vegetation destruction (Richardson et al, 2007;Hreško et al, 2009;Rastmanesh et al, 2010;Miettinen et al, 2011;Koh et al, 2011;Cui et al, 2012;Hinojosa-Huerta et al, 2013;Senf et al, 2013;Mao et al, 2014;William, 2014;Zhou et al, 2014). AO (1995) reported that during 1980-1990 there was 9.95 Â 10 4 km 2 of forest lost annually, almost equivalent to the area of South Korea.…”