Mohsen Bakhtiari; Ali Darvishi Bolorani; Ataollah Abdollahi Kakroodi; Kazem Rangzan
Abstract
Extended Abstract Introduction Remote sensing has introduced new fields in monitoring and modeling environmental variables on different levels. One of the major advances of remote sensing is the use of quantitative algorithms to estimate the earth’s surface variables. Therefore, it can be regarded ...
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Extended Abstract Introduction Remote sensing has introduced new fields in monitoring and modeling environmental variables on different levels. One of the major advances of remote sensing is the use of quantitative algorithms to estimate the earth’s surface variables. Therefore, it can be regarded as a research and application framework in order to forecast and counteract devastating effects of environmental crisis. Meanwhile, capabilities of MODIS sensor in terms of its various products to estimate the environmental parameters have been explored more than any other remote sensing instruments. Optical remote sensing modeling techniques are robust and strong enough for modeling the relationship between land surface variables and the quantities measured by remote sensing data. Materials & Methods This research focuses on developing and introducing a new spectral index for modeling the Land Surface Temperature (LST) and vegetation, simultaneously. Land surface temperature is a key parameter in the balance physical processes of the Earth’s water and energy on different levels including from regional to local scales. On the other hand, studying the temporal and spatial variations of vegetation and temperature in different areas as an indicator showing the environmental conditions has the great importance for current and future behaviors of the surface. Therefore, combining these two parameters can lead to high synergies in the use of satellite data for studying the environmental status of the west Asia as the area is experiencing one of the most horrifying environmental degradations of the world. In order to evaluate the developed index, the spatial-temporal relationship of the Normalized Health Environmental Index (NHEI), in relation to the behavior of dust sources in the west Asia is investigated. The main steps of this study include the developing and introducing the remote sensing index that reflects the simultaneous behavior of environmental variables, trending the index based on its changes for the west Asia and finally applying that in studying dust sources of the studied region. The Normalized Health Environmental Index, (NHEI), is developed using MODIS products consisting of MYD11A2, MYD13A2 and MOD44W products. The developed index considers the spatiotemporal behavior of Land Surface Temperature (LST), and vegetation cover, simultaneously. This index is useful for monitoring the environmental health situation of lands by masking the surface water bodies. NEHI is a dimensionless parameter and the range of its values is between -1 to 1. The smaller values indicate that conditions in the region in terms of land surface temperature, vegetation, water and the environmental relevant phenomena are more critical. Results & Discussion NHEI was used to analyze the trend changes of the most important dust sources in the West Asia during last decade. Due to the high correlation between the results obtained from NHEI and the activities of the origins of dust storms, it can be adapted as a basis for modeling the behavior of these phenomena while such relationship has not been confirmed through applying the conventional indices such as NDVI. NHEI is developed and analyzed for 2002 to 2013. The trend of changes was detected by linear trending process and its relationship with dust sources has been evaluated. Since NHEI shows the changing trend of key elements of the environment, i.e. temperature, vegetation and humidity simultaneously, the results of trending reveal the general decrease of severity and extend of the index. While the distribution of dust storm hot spots in terms of the index values is showing more scattering for the whole of the west Asia. Although NHEI is not a pure physical parameter with certain and standard unit, however, because of reflecting the combined effects of NDVI and LST as well as its simplicity and strong correlation with environmental parameters, it can be used as a reliable reference index in the environment research at local and macro-scale. Then the values of NHEI within specific land covers were determined, so it has distinct values for different land covers. Conclusion This study emphasizes on NHEI capabilities in monitoring and modeling environmental variables associated with dust sources, therefore, the average of NHEI in dust sources individually and totally was significantly less and more critical than the value of NHEI in other areas of the study area. Generally, the results of this study can open a new horizon in the field of land surface variables modeling and investigation by developing new remote sensing indices especially in land degradation and dust storm investigations.
Kazem Rangzan; Nazanin Ghanbari; Mostafa Kabolizade; Poria Moradi
Abstract
Extended Abstract Introduction Energy is one of the essential components for industrial activities and the need of all people, therefore, its supply and demand is continually increasing in human societies. Population growth, its expansion and distribution, along with the ever-increasing human need for ...
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Extended Abstract Introduction Energy is one of the essential components for industrial activities and the need of all people, therefore, its supply and demand is continually increasing in human societies. Population growth, its expansion and distribution, along with the ever-increasing human need for new and more efficient energy, have forced man to turn to natural renewable energies. The sun is considered to be the largest energy source in the world, which can be used in many ways. Being non-polluting, clean, free and accessible, are the important features for using renewable solar energy. Solar energy is one of the best and most economical renewable energy in Iran, which not only reduces many human concerns, such as environmental pollution, energy exhaustibility, energy conversion, etc., but also considering the climate of Iran, it can well develop in Iran. Despite the great potential of using solar energy in the country due to the intensity of radiation as well as a very good area for installation and use of solar energy, it is possible to install photovoltaic panels. Regarding the climate of Ahwaze city in terms of radiation intensity (According to the statistics of the New Energy Organization, about 4.5-5 kWh / m 2 / day) and sunny days and on the other hand, due to the establishment of important factories and large industries in the city, it faces the problem of energy and pollution caused by fossil fuels. Therefore, the study of solar energy and its potential for using solar energy to plan for the use of this energy seems necessary. Since no significant steps have been taken in this regard, this study focuses on this important issue, so that by designing a Web GIS system, one can take a step in the direction of data management and decision-making to improve the status quo. Materials and methods The present research seeks to exploit renewable solar energy using solar technologies. The spatial distribution modeling of this renewable resource was performed using GIS analyses and computational intelligence. For this purpose, during the implementation of the survey, Solar Analyst Model available in ArcGIS software was used to estimate the solar radiation in the region. Also, in order to prioritize the region based on having the required potential to exploit solar photovoltaic systems, three categories of effective criteria including environmental criteria, building-density criteria and technical criteria were identified. Then, modeling was done using Fuzzy Inference System. The knowledge of available solar energy and the area of building rooftops are essential components for calculating the potential of electricity generation of photovoltaic systems, but there are technical considerations that must be taken into account in these calculations. In most cases, the calculation of photovoltaic potential requires the consideration of the output capacities of the panels. For this purpose, the technical potential of photovoltaic systems was calculated based on the formulas, the requirement of which is to estimate the geographic potential of the study area. The final stage is the design and implementation of the solar energy Web GIS system. Discussion and Results Estimation of the total radiation received by the earth in the study area using Solar Analyst model, showed the total solar radiation from 0.4 to 1461 kWh per square meter per year. Also, the calculation of the geographic potential of the region and in particular the geographic potential of the rooftops, was performed using Digital Surface Model (DSM) and the results showed that major parts of the region had the potential from 1 to 49 kW per day. Technical potential of photovoltaic systems (Ei) for the roofs, was calculated using the geographical potential and its value varies from 0.1 to 138 kW per day. The results of fuzzy inference system shows that 10 square kilometers of the total area has a medium development priority and 0.7 square kilometers of the total area has a high development priority that form the highest and the lowest respectively. Conclusion Based on what has been stated so far, it can be said that the findings of the present study indicate the success of the integration of two Web GIS and solar energy knowledge in meeting predetermined objectives of the research. Utilizing this process, while providing the opportunity to assist in the decision-making process, provides web-based solar maps using spatial data. In fact, the designed system can be considered as a decision-making tool, if it allows users to view spatial information in the form of a map in addition to providing descriptive information about the region’s potential of energy generation. Users can use this system to identify appropriate locations for installing solar equipment and maximize their benefits.
Zeinab Obeidavi; Kazem Rangzan; Mostafa Kabolizadeh; Rouhollah Mirzaei
Abstract
Abstract
Sustainable management of wildlife and natural habitats is an outcome of a series of spatial, quantitative and qualitative surveys and studies related to wildlife populations and habitat populations, a matter which necessitates to pay attention to the proper maintenance of existing data ...
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Abstract
Sustainable management of wildlife and natural habitats is an outcome of a series of spatial, quantitative and qualitative surveys and studies related to wildlife populations and habitat populations, a matter which necessitates to pay attention to the proper maintenance of existing data and to organize them to increase the useful life of such data in order to avoid repeating the operations of data acquisition and collection, and consequently to avoid the loss of funds for conservation and management of wildlife. Therefore. In the present study, considering the advantages of using database management system for maintenance, use and management of data, the design and implementation of a wildlife spatial database sample in Khuzestan province is carried out. In the design and implementation of the target database, the PostgreSQL / PostGIS object-relational database was used. According to the findings of the study, the PostgreSQL / PostGIS open source database management system was identified as an appropriate option for the development of the spatial data management capabilities of wildlife. It was also found that the designed system was able to support all possible questions related to wildlife spatial data, providing a solution to some issues and problems related to the management of a huge amount of wildlife scattered data. Also, due to the success of the present research, the necessity of focusing on the organization and management of wildlife information in the country and its inclusion in the context of the policy of the Environmental Protection Agency of the nation has been emphasized, and the need for the creation and development of a comprehensive spatial database of the wildlife of is pointed out.
