bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Upscaling terrestrial Evapotranspiration: A framework based on a spatial heterogeneitymodel and machine learning algorithms
Authors: Zhang Yixiao , He Tao
Published: March 2024

Actual evapotranspiration (ET) is a key variable controlling the exchange of energy and water in terrestrial ecosystems. The spatial heterogeneity of ET patterns poses a great challenge for regional ET estimation over heterogeneous landscapes. In this study, we proposed a framework for estimating ET through interactive detector for spatial associations (IDSA)-based machine learning (ML) approaches by combining data from remote sensing and four flux towers distributed in the Hai River Basin. The IDSA model was applied to explore individual and interactive determinants of ET over the Hai River Basin. In addition, the geographical regions of ET were determined according to the spatial heterogeneity. Then we simulated ET in each geographical region separately using three ML models, including random forest, gradient boosting decision tree, and Cubist. General ML models without considering spatial heterogeneity were used for comparison, and evaluations were conducted with the EC flux tower observations at the site scale, also with water balance ET at the basin scale. The results demonstrated that the spatial patterns of ET were difficult to be explained by individual environmental variables (64.9%). The maximum interpretability was improved by about 11.2% through the interaction of air temperature (T) and normalized different vegetation index (NDVI). The framework developed in this study had excellent performance with coefficient of determination (R2) ranging from 0.807 to 0.811, root mean square error (RMSE) ranging from 0.654 mm/day to 0.661 mm/day, and mean absolute error (MAE) ranging from 0.470 mm/day to 0.485 mm/day. It was superior to general ML models at the site and basin scales. Additionally, the ET simulated by IDSA-based ML models were in good agreement with the reference product, further illustrating its reliability. The proposed framework provides a theoretical basis for in-depth understanding of spatial heterogeneity of ET and a new perspective for ET prediction over large scales.
Joint Tomographic Inversion of the Pampean Flat Slab: Insights from Extensive Archived Seismic Data
Authors: Maharaj Ariane , Roecker Steve , Comte Diana , Saez Mauro , Trad Sol , Ortiz Gustavo , Fernadez Martin
Published: March 2024

The Andean Margin hosts alternating regions of “flat” and “normal” subduction, which includes the Pampean flat slab that extends from central Chile to Argentina. The discovery of an unusual travel time anomaly beneath the high Andes above the flat slab motivated a study to investigate the lithosphere in this region. Leveraging extensive archived seismic data from both Chile and Argentina, we performed a large-scale joint inversion of P and S body wave arrival times from earthquakes, and surface wave dispersion measurements from earthquakes and ambient noise. We created 3D Vp, Vs and Vp/Vs models using at least an order of magnitude more data than previous studies with about an 80% reduction in grid spacing. Our models corroborate results from previous studies: (1) a high velocity, high Vp/Vs region associated with a cool, slightly hydrated and depleted mantle above the flat slab, and (2) a low velocity structure beneath the high Andes interpreted as an overthickened crustal root, with our results showing that the root extends to just above the flat slab. Curiously, our models also reveal two low velocity zones within and below the flat slab seismic zone that have not been previously reported. Notably, the decrease in velocity is more pronounced in Vp than Vs. We postulate that the eastern low velocity anomaly is likely due to hot asthenosphere heating the slab, although no melting is occurring as the Vs is not significantly reduced. The western low velocity anomaly, which spatially correlates with the Juan Fernandez Ridge (JFR), we postulate is either due to the presence of supercritical fluids trapped within the JFR or an increase in silica content possibly linked to petit spot volcanism.
Navigating parenthood as an early career scientist: insights and challenges from hydrological sciences
Authors: Spieler Diana , Stein Lina , Nóbrega Rodolfo
Published: March 2024

Combining an academic career with caretaking responsibilities is an often-overlooked challenge. Juggling the workload, conference attendance, or the potential requirement to move to a new job all become more demanding when children or other caretaking responsibilities are a part of your life. We, members of the Young Hydrology Society (YHS), wanted to hear some views from academic parents in hydrology. What are the challenges they face, what is their advice to other parents and what systematic changes would they like to see? This non-scientific initiative gathered responses from academics within the hydrology community from different parts of the world at different career stages, including PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, assistant professors, and group leaders. The survey revealed diverse challenges and strategies employed by academic parents to balance their professional and personal lives. We identified a complex interplay of personal, institutional, and cultural factors that influence these experiences in academia. A common theme across responses was the strategic timing of parenthood, often aligned with phases of planning security, such as after having won a longer-term grant. Despite the varying international backgrounds, many responses highlighted the supportive role of national policies, particularly in countries like Sweden, which offer substantial parental support and flexible work arrangements. However, challenges such as reduced research productivity, lack of support to attend conferences, and the need to relocate were frequently mentioned as limiting factors for career development and progression. Among the strategies employed to minimise these challenges, we highlight adjusting work schedules, reducing workloads, and relying on support from partners and extended family. Childcare distribution varied, with many striving for an equitable split between partners, though this was often influenced by career demands and cultural standards or expectations. The responses also contained suggestions for systemic improvement, including extended childcare facilities at conferences, more flexible job contracts, and institutional support for parents, particularly during fieldwork and conferences. While there are notable advancements in some areas, there remains a significant need for systemic changes to better support academic parents and ensure a more inclusive and equitable academic environment. It is fundamental to highlight, however, that the results of this initiative do not capture the entire spectrum of experiences faced by those with caretaking responsibilities, and that our survey is likely to be biased towards ECS who still were engaged and successful in their work. We aim to release these results as a series of blog posts on the YHS webpage (https://younghs.com/blog/) to disseminate this topic with the main aim of offering valuable reassurance to current and future parents in academia facing similar challenges.
Ab-Initio Model for Mercury’s Helium Exosphere
Authors: Hener Jonas , Vorburger Audrey , Wurz Peter , Weichbold Fabian , Lammer Helmut
Published: March 2024

In this study, we suggest a model for the origin and abundance of exospheric Helium at Mercury. It was derived ab initio, assuming He-saturated regolith at the surface and a “steady-state” Helium exosphere. A 1D Monte Carlo computer simulation [1] was used to calculate the exospheric He density profiles according to the model.
The Helium abundance in the Hermean exosphere was first constrained from UV Spectrometer measurements aboard Mariner 10 [2] and has been discussed extensively since, also in the light of probable analogies to the Lunar He environment. It is believed that there are two major sources for exospheric Helium: release of Solar Wind implanted He from the regolith of the Hermean surface and outgassing of radiogenic He from the interior [3]. However, there is no agreement on the quantitative contribution of the two possible origins. Through a larger volume and diversity of data, new insights concerning the origins and other aspects of the Hermean Helium system could be derived. Novel approaches are allowing the derivation of Helium density profiles from MESSENGER data [4], and soon the SERENA plasma/neutral particles package [5] on BepiColombo’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) is expected to add the first ever in-situ density measurements to the picture.
The presented model shows that the Helium exosphere is dominated by exospheric recycling. This term describes the process in which particles that have been released into the exosphere at energies below Eesc return to the surface and bounce back into the exosphere immediately at the energy corresponding to the local surface temperature. The Helium accumulates in the exosphere, where its abundance is eventually limited by the exospheric loss processes of Jeans escape and ionization. This model can build the foundation for an evaluation of future data and can allow a quantification of the two exospheric Helium sources.
[1] Wurz, P. and Lammer, H. (2003). Icarus 164.1 (2003): 1-13.[2] Broadfoot, A. L., et al. (1976). Geophys. Res. Lett., 3: 577-580.[3] Hartle, R. E., et al. (1975),  J. Geophys. Res.,  80(25)[4] Weichbold, F., et al. (2024), in preparation.[5] Orsini, S., et al. (2021), Space Sci Rev 217,
Energy conversion in a compressed magnetospheric separatrix: Observations and simulations
Authors: Baraka Mohammed , Le Contel Olivier , Canu Patrick , Alqeeq Soboh , Akhavan-Tafti Mojtaba , Retino Alessandro , Chust Thomas , Toledo-Redondo Sergio , Dargent Jeremy , Beck Arnaud , Cozzani Giulia , Norgren Cecilia ,   MMS Team
Published: March 2024

Magnetic reconnection is a fundamental process that is ubiquitous in the universe. It converts magnetic field energy into heating and acceleration of plasma. On the dayside of the Earth’s magnetosphere, it is responsible for the dominant transport of plasma, momentum, and energy across the magnetopause from the solar wind into the Earth’s magnetosphere. The present study reports on a magnetic reconnection event with a guide field (BM=0.5 B) detected by the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission (MMS) on October 21, 2015, around 04:39:24 UT. The MMS traversed the compressed magnetospheric separatrix and the reconnection jet far from the diffusion regions and in specific conditions: observing magnetospheric cold ions and a large magnetosheath density of up to 150 p/cc. We investigate the generalized Ohm’s law and the energy conversion process in the spacecraft frame (J.E) and in the fluid frame (J.E`) associated with the separatrix crossing under such conditions. We further validate and compare our results using 2D fully kinetic simulation.
Contribution of cloud-fog transitions near the Kuroshio Extension to the fog-prone area in the northwest Pacific in summer
Authors: Li Xinbei , Zhang Suping
Published: March 2024

Observations show that the northwest Pacific is a fog-prone area in summer. The frequency of fog increases rapidly north of the Kuroshio Extension (KE). Based on the observations and reanalysis results from 1979 to 2020, this study shows that there is a climatic correlation between the stratus clouds frequency over the KE area (33-39°N, 140-155°E) and the fog frequency over the fog-prone area (40-50°N, 145-165°E) (cor=0.47, p<0.05). This suggests that the stratus clouds over the KE area may be advected southward by southerly winds and transform into fog over the fog-prone area, contributing to the formation of the climatologically foggy area east of the Kuril Islands. The statistical results also indicate a significant negative correlation between the intensity of the sea surface temperature (SST) front over the KE area and the fog frequency over the fog-prone area (cor=-0.71, p<0.05), implying that the KE plays a key role in the cloud-fog transitions. A weak SST front over the KE area lowers the cloud base height by weakening the ascending branch of the secondary circulation on the warm flank of the SST front, thus facilitating the cloud-fog transitions on the north side of the KE area. This study enriches the understanding of sea fog formation in the North Pacific, proposes the contribution of cloud-fog transition to the climatological foggy area, and reveals the key role of air-sea interaction in it, which can provide theoretical support for sea fog forecast in this area.
Spatiotemporal changes of landslide susceptibility in mountainous areas in response to rainfall and its future prediction — A case study of Sichuan Province, China
Authors: Zheng Hao
Published: March 2024

In recent decades, global warming has led to significant changes in the spatial and temporal distribution of rainfall. In the mountainous areas of southwestern China, rainfall-induced landslides are one of the most common natural disasters, which are highly destructive and unpredictable. In order to adapt to and mitigate the effects of rainfall variability on landslides in mountainous areas, there is an urgent need to strengthen the future prediction of rainfall scenarios as well as research on the response of landslide susceptibility to rainfall variability. Hence in this study, annual cumulative rainfall (ACR) is utilized as a dynamic factor to generate annual-scale landslide susceptibility maps (LSM) for Sichuan Province, China. The study's main objectives are to reveal the dynamic response relationship between landslide susceptibility and rainfall and to consider the future prediction of rainfall for the future prediction of LSM. To achieve this objective, firstly, the historical landslide geospatial database was prepared for five time categories: 2000-2005, 2006-2010, 2011-2015 and 2016-2020. Second, the Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) model was utilized to generate LSMs for the years 2000-2020. Third, the rainfall for the year 2030 was predicted using the Long Short-Term Memory Network (LSTM) model and the month-by-month rainfall dataset for the years 1901-2020. Fourth, the rainfall prediction map was used as a driving parameter for the future prediction of LSM. Finally, the sensitivity of landslide susceptibility to changes in rainfall was discriminated using the elasticity model. The results showed that the very high landslide susceptibility in the study area increased by 5.95%, 7.09%, and 1.29% in 2005, 2015, and 2020, respectively, as compared to 2000, while the index decreased by 3.97% in 2010. The sensitivity coefficient of landslide susceptibility to changes in rainfall from 2000 to 2020 was 1.35, indicating that a 1% change in rainfall would result in an average change in landslide susceptibility of 1.35%. In the future landslide susceptibility projections, the percentage of landslide susceptibility for each category in 2030 is 9.75%, 25.15%, 30.42%, 24.51%, and 10.16%, respectively, with a 5.11% increase in the very high landslide susceptibility category. The reliability of the results was verified using the ROC curve and area under the curve.
Tapping the potential of multi-temporal thermal infrared UAV over a debris-covered glacier 
Authors: Bramati Gabriele , Hardmeier Florian , Adams Jennifer Susan , Vieli Andreas , Naegeli Kathrin
Published: March 2024

Understanding the role and dynamics of debris covering alpine glaciers is complex and multi-faceted. A thin or non-continuous layer (smaller than 2cm) promotes melting, whereas a thicker layer insulates the underlying ice. The response of debris-covered glaciers to climate change is not uniform worldwide. These glaciers not only react to the changing climate, but they are also sensitive to debris-cover evolution. To date, studies analysed limited spatio-temporal data and thus do not describe multi-temporal changes in debris cover thickness. However, these strongly impact long-term glacier evolution as topography changes can lead to ice cliff formation, which is known to considerably speed up glacier melt. Multi-temporal high-resolution remote sensing offers the possibility to fill this gap and monitor changes at a small scale. In this contribution, we apply multi-temporal close-range remote sensing to a debris-covered glacier in the Swiss Alps (Zmuttgletscher, Valais, CH). We make use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) surveys equipped with a dual optical-thermal camera together with manual debris excavations and in-situ meteorological data in different years (2020 and 2023). The thermal surveys are calibrated using supraglacial and proglacial lake water temperatures, combined with debris surface temperature measurements. We explore the debris thickness, morphology, and topography evolution of a portion of the glacier, and discuss it in relation to glacier dynamics and debris transport. The work contributes to the understanding of glacier debris evolution, which is often neglected in debris-covered glacier models and global projections.
3-D deformation analysis of geodetic networks along a subaerial back-arc rift: Observations from the Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand
Authors: Lakhouidsi Khalid , Rafaa Ismail , Fadil Abdelali
Published: March 2024

This paper presents a comprehensive update on the dynamic evolution of active geodynamic extension within the Taupo volcanic zone (TVZ), New Zealand. The study aims to investigate whether a consistent uniaxial extension rate characterizes the entire zone or if there are spatial and temporal variations in both direction and rate from south to north. Using GPS baseline length change rates from 55 continuous GPS stations over a monitoring period exceeding 14 years, our analysis enhances the understanding of tectonic movement and crustal deformation induced by the magmatic evolution beneath the TVZ. The 3D static deformation analysis using the StrainTool software package reveals nuanced extensional tectonic regime and rates across the TVZ, providing unique insights into the complex dynamics of the Taupo volcanic zone. The results not only advance our understanding of the TVZ but also have broader implications for comprehending extensional tectonic regime on back-arc rift. By integrating these findings with insights from previous geological studies, encompassing seismic, magmatic, hydrothermal, and tectonic investigations, this study contributes a comprehensive and synthesized view of the extensional deformation. The comparative synthesis aims to provide a holistic perspective on the extensional tectonic regime and the parameters influencing their spatio-temporal evolution, particularly concerning the broader context of New Zealand's global deformation.
Keywords: Taupo Volcanic Zone, Back-Arc Rift, GPS Baseline Analysis, Extensional Tectonic Regime, StrainTool.
On the influence of solar wind turbulence on the Earth's foreshock dynamics
Authors: Pucci Francesco , Behar Etienne , Henri Pierre , Wedlund Cyril Simon , Preisser Luis , Ballerini Giulio , Califano Francesco
Published: March 2024

We present the results of two numerical simulations of the interaction between the solar wind and a planetary Earth-like magnetosphere. We use the hybrid particle-in-cell (PIC) code Menura, which allows for injecting a turbulent solar wind [1]. The two numerical simulations we present only differ one from the other on the nature of the solar wind, which is laminar in one case and turbulent in the other. Even though we poorly resolve ion scales because of computational constraints, we observe the development of a foreshock in the quasi-parallel shock region formed by kinetic effects due to the presence of reflected particles. We focus our analysis on the spatial properties of the reflected ion beams and compare them in the case of laminar and turbulent solar wind. In the laminar case, we observe the presence of fast modes excited by reflected particles and find homogeneous density and temperature of the ion beam in the foreshock region. Instead, in the turbulent case,  we find that fluctuations in the foreshock are not simple fast waves but result from the interaction between solar wind turbulence and reflected particles. We also observe that density and temperature are modulated in space in contrast with the laminar case. We argue that this modulation arises from the complex shape of the magnetic field, in which field line random walk and perpendicular diffusion are enhanced with respect to the laminar case.   [1] Behar, E., Fatemi, S., Henri, P., & Holmström, M. (2022, May). Menura: a code for simulating the interaction between a turbulent solar wind and solar system bodies. In Annales Geophysicae (Vol. 40, No. 3, pp. 281-297). Copernicus GmbH.
Toward Understanding the Dynamics of Compound Hot and Dry Extremes in India
Authors: Malik Iqura , Mishra Vimal
Published: March 2024

Compound hot and dry extremes (CHDEs) refer to the conditions where hot and dry extremes co-occur. Their joint impact on society is more severe than that of their individual extremes. The increasing frequency and intensity of such events underscore the urgency of understanding their dynamics. CHDEs during crop growing seasons can significantly affect agricultural production and food security. In this study, we developed a multivariate approach for analyzing vegetation responses to CHDEs from a probabilistic perspective using soil moisture, temperature, and solar-induced fluorescence (SIF). We examined how vegetation responds to different development stages of CHDEs, including their onset, peak, and termination periods. Furthermore, we explored how the frequency and characteristics of CHDEs are projected to change in the future, providing insights into the evolving risk on vegetation in future under different climate scenarios. This study enhances our understanding of the complex dynamics involved in compound extreme events and highlights the necessity of considering compound dry and hot extremes when assessing vegetation responses to climate extremes under global warming.
 
Keywords: Compound Hot and Dry Extremes (CHDEs), Vegetation response, Food security, climate risk
Data rescue of millions of daily precipitation and temperature records collected within the Congo Basin
Authors: Muheki Derrick , Vercruysse Bas , Verbruggen Christophe , Ntumba Dominique Kankonde , Hawkins Ed , Meunier Félicien , Imwangana Fils Makanzu , Verbeeck Hans , Birkholz Julie M. , Mbifo José , Jacobsen Kim , Hufkens Koen , Chandrasekar Krishna K. T. , Dewitte Olivier , Moulasa Olivier Kapalay , Boeckx Pascal , Thorne Peter , Lampe Seppe , Likwela Théophile Besango , Thiery Wim
Published: March 2024

Local and distant archives of observed weather data present unique opportunities for scientists to obtain long time series of the historical hydrology and climate for many regions of the world. Unfortunately, most of these observational records are still to-date available only on paper, and thus require digitization and transcribing to machine-readable formats to facilitate analysis of hydroclimatic trends. Here we discuss the data rescue efforts for hydroclimatic data recorded at 36 climate stations in the Democratic Republic of Congo from the early 1950’s to-date. We describe the procedures we follow to digitize over 10,000 paper records of daily precipitation and temperature within archives both in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Belgium, and subsequently the steps to transcribe this data set using different methods including machine learning. Furthermore, we undertake quality control and quality assessment of the transcribed data. The resultant time series, comprised of millions of observations from the archived data, will resolve the challenges of limited available hydroclimatic data within the Congo basin and expedite research on the hydroclimate in the basin.
,000 years of hydrologic connectivity on the Australian dryland margins: the case of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area
Authors: Fitzsimmons Kathryn , Fischer Markus , Murray-Wallace Colin , Rhodes Edward , Lauer Tobias , Nowatzki Maike , Mishra Kanchan , Stern Nicola
Published: March 2024

Australia is big, flat, old and arid: it is the driest inhabited continent on Earth. The catastrophic flooding of recent years has demonstrated not only the potential for extreme conditions at both ends of the hydroclimatic scale, but also how little we understand of the interplay between climatic, hydrological, and surface-process mechanisms affecting this part of the world. We know still less about long-term hydrological dynamics, particularly for the dry inland where water resources are scarce and land surfaces are susceptible to erosion, requiring careful management.Records of past hydrological variability can help inform us about changing hydroclimate states and their impact on the land surface. The Willandra lakes system, located on the desert margins of southeastern Australia, is one of the few dryland areas which preserves long-term sedimentary records of hydrologic change. The headwaters of these lakes lie in the temperate highlands hundreds of kilometres to the east; as a result, lake filling and drying reflects the interaction between rainfall in the watershed and hydrologic connectivity across the catchment and between the lakes. Environmental change in the Willandra is recorded in the sediments of the lake shoreline dunes, preserved as semi-continuous deposition of different lake facies over 60,000 years.Here we investigate long-term hydrologic connectivity across the Willandra lakes and their catchment. Our approach uses a novel integration of lake-level reconstruction based on lunette sedimentology, stratigraphy and luminescence geochronology, with hydrologic and palaeoclimatic modelling of key event time slices over the last 60 ky. We characterize the land-surface response to various hydroclimate states, so improving our understanding of dryland atmosphere-hydrosphere interactions.
Monitoring Land Subsidence in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal
Authors: Rana Sanjeev bickram , Mishra Bhogendra , Tiwari Nabin , Khatiwada Bhaskar , Khanal Anoj , Kc Prabin chandra , Rokaya Kabiraj , Dhakal Ganesh
Published: March 2024

Over the past decade, land subsidence in the Kathmandu Valley has become a growing concern, with water extraction being frequently implicated as a potential cause. This study focuses on the core city area of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur, particularly in Lazimpat-Naksal, Chhauni- swayambhu, and Khumaltar-Satdobato, identified as hotspots of land subsidence with annual subsidences of up to 12 cm. Despite these observations, no clear cause has been established. To address this gap, we conducted DInSAR analysis spanning from 2003 to 2023, covering both pre- and post-2015 earthquake periods.
Our findings reveal persistent subsidence in Lazimpat-Naksal since 2003, and notable hotspots in Chhauni- swayambhu and Khumaltar-Satdobato post-2010. Water extraction rates, particularly in Lazimpat-Naksal, show a correlation between lower recharge potential and increased subsidence risk when combined with elevated water extraction. On the other hand, research areas like Bode, Gokarna, and Gangabu, with higher recharge potential, exhibit no subsidence despite significant water extraction. In Chhauni- swayambhu, and Khumaltar-Satdobato, where water extraction rates are not high, an increasing subsidence rate suggests other contributing factors.  
This study underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and assessment in densely populated and rapidly urbanizing regions. The results highlight the need for continued research and geological investigations to identify underlying factors contributing to subsidence. The findings emphasize the significance of sustained efforts in understanding land subsidence dynamics for the development of effective mitigation and management strategies in the Kathmandu Valley.
An operational model for wind-blown volcanic umbrella clouds
Authors: Johnson Chris , Millward Frank , Webster Helen
Published: March 2024

The plume of ash and gas released by large explosive volcanic eruptions rises to its neutral buoyancy level in the atmosphere, then spreads laterally to form an umbrella cloud. Density stratification of the atmosphere generates buoyancy forces in the cloud, which drive the outward spread as an intrusion. Although umbrella clouds are often modelled as circular axisymmetric structures, in practice they are usually influenced quite strongly by the meteorological wind, with spread in the upwind direction halted by the oncoming wind, and different rates of spreading in the downwind and crosswind directions. Here, we present a physically based shallow-layer intrusion model for wind-blown volcanic umbrella clouds, and derive a simple parametrization of non-axisymmetric umbrella cloud spreading based on this shallow-layer model. The simplified parametrization is quick to evaluate and so is suitable for use in operational Volcanic Ash Transport and Dispersion Models (VATDMs) that are used to predict ash hazard operationally. In contrast to previous parametrizations, in which there is assumed to be no interaction between a circular umbrella cloud and the meteorological wind, here the umbrella cloud is influenced by the wind and adopts a shape determined by the balance of buoyant spreading and downwind drag forces. We test our scheme within the UK Met Office 'NAME' dispersion model, and apply it to four diverse case studies of eruptions at Puyehue 2011, Pinatubo 1991, Ulawun 2019, and Calbuco 2015. We demonstrate that buoyant spreading is important even in plumes that are highly wind-blown, and obtain better descriptions of cloud spread and ash distribution than existing parametrizations based on an axisymmetric umbrella cloud dynamics.
TRENDS ANALYSIS OF AGRICULTURAL DROUGHT IN CENTRAL ANATOLIAN BASIN, TURKEY
Authors: Ergene E. M. , Bektaş Balçık F. , Balik Şanlı F.
Published: March 2024

Abstract. Drought is a natural disaster that can have devastating economic, environmental, and social impacts on a global, national, and regional scale. Remote sensing technology is the most powerful tool to determine of drought categories and analyse drought severity, vulnerability and its trends. Because data that is temporal, quick, wide-area, and repeating can be obtained via remote sensing technologies. The calculation of drought indices with the use of remote sensing technology is crucial for assessing the severity of the drought and its evolution over time. In this study, the Central Anatolian Basin, one of Turkey's agricultural basins, was subjected to a temporal and spatial drought analysis between 2000 and 2023. In order to analyze the agricultural drought in the Central Anatolian Basin, drought indices such as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), Normalized Difference Drought Index (NDDI), Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), Temperature condition index (TCI), Vegetation Health Index (VHI), Precipitation Condition Index (PCI), and Scaled Drought Condition Index (SDCI) were calculated. Moderate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data collection were used to calculate the NDVI, NDWI, NDDI VCI and TCI drought indices and PCI was calculated using the Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation with Station CHIRPS data set. With the results obtained, the change in drought severity in the Central Anatolian Basin over the years was observed and drought severity, plant health status and surface temperature were compared. Additionally Temporal trend and Spatial trend of agricultural drought were determine using Sen’s slope and The Mann – Kendal non parametric test.
MACHINE LEARNING (AI) FOR IDENTIFYING SMART CITIES
Authors: Hammoumi L. , Rhinane H.
Published: March 2024

Abstract. Cities worldwide are attempting to be claimed as smart, but truly classifying as such remains a great challenge. This paper aims to use artificial intelligence AI to classify the smart city's performance as well as the factors linked to it. This is based on the perceptions of residents on issues related to structures and technology applications available in their cities. To achieve this goal, the study included 200 cities worldwide. For 147 cities we captured the perceptions of 120 residents in each city, by answering a survey of 39 questions evolving around two main Pillars: ‘Structures’ that refers to the existing infrastructure of the city and the ‘Technology’ pillar that describes the technological provisions and services available to the inhabitants. And each one is evaluated under five key areas: health and safety, mobility, activities, opportunities, and governance. The final score of the other 53 cities, was measured by using the data openly available on the internet. And this by means of different algorithms of machine learning such as Random Forest RF, Artificial Neural Network ANN, Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Gradient Boost (XGB). These algorithms have been compared and evaluated in order to select the best one. The tests showed that Random Forest RF alongside with Artificial Neural Network ANN, with the highest level of accuracy, are the best trained model. This study will enable other researches to use machine learning in the identification process of smart cities.
FOREST SEMANTIC SEGMENTATION BASED ON DEEP LEARNING USING SENTINEL-2 IMAGES
Authors: Hızal C. , Gülsu G. , Akgün H. Y. , Kulavuz B. , Bakırman T. , Aydın A. , Bayram B.
Published: March 2024

Abstract. Forests are invaluable for maintaining biodiversity, watersheds, rainfall levels, bioclimatic stability, carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation, and the sustainability of large-scale climate regimes. In other words, forests provide a wide range of ecosystem services and livelihoods for the people and play a critical role in influencing global atmospheric cycles. Providing sustainable, reliable, and accurate information on forest cover change is essential for an holistic forest management, efficient use of resources, neutralizing the effects of global warming and better monitoring of deforestation activities. Within the scope of this study, it is aimed to perform semantic segmentation of 5 different tree species (larch, red pine, yellow pine, oak, spruce) from Sentinel-2 satellite images. For this purpose, the regions where these tree species are densely populated in Turkey (Marmara, Aegean, Eastern Black Sea) were selected as pilot regions. A unique data set was created using the data of the selected pilot regions. As a result of the study, it was possible to determine the forest types temporally for the selected classes with more than 90% Intersection over Union score for all classes. The developed deep learning model with the created forest data set can be implemented to the other forests areas with same species in other parts of the world.
DEVELOPING 4D MALAYSIAN MARINE CADASTRE DATA MODEL BASED ON LADM - PRELIMINARY WORKS
Authors: Hussaini Atulukwu Y. , Hassan M. I. , Abdul Rahman A.
Published: March 2024

Abstract. The complex interactions between terrestrial and aquatic dimensions make effective land management in coastal and marine settings particularly difficult. For thorough spatial data administration, it has been acknowledged that the traditional Land Administration Domain Model (LADM) must incorporate temporal and three-dimensional (3D) elements. The main goal of this work is to develop a 4D Malaysian marine cadastre data model based on LADM that integrates the temporal dimensions (3D + T= 4D) to the current 3D Malaysian marine cadastre data model and to assess how well the extended model handles issues with the representation of 3D marine environment. The depiction and management of temporal data related to shifting coastlines, fluctuating tides, and seasonal fluctuations in the maritime environment are some of the key questions investigated. The findings of this study are expected to provide valuable insights for augmenting land administration methodologies in dynamic marine settings. The outcomes of this research hold significance for sustainable marine development and effective spatial data management in coastal regions.
SEMANTIC LABELING OF 3D BUILDINGS BY USING GRAPH NEURAL NETWORK (GNN)
Authors: Rashidan H. , Musliman I. A. , Sani M. J. , Abdul Rahman A.
Published: March 2024

Abstract. Understanding building semantics is crucial for comprehending their structure, components, and functions. This study investigates the utilization of Graph Neural Networks (GNN) to semantically label 3D building models, aiming to optimize these labels' output within Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The methodology leverages diverse datasets comprising 3D building models, utilizing BuildingGNN algorithms to iteratively refine the labeling process. The resultant labeled components, after thorough validation, are translated into the CityGML format. The generated CityGML dataset holds promise for a wide array of 3D city model applications, heightening the utility of labeled components within GIS analyses. While exploring GNN's capabilities may reduce manual effort and time and provide standardized data representation, this study also addresses challenges in ensuring output reliability. While automation remains a goal, future research endeavors may focus on refining automatic labeling techniques and semantic translation processes to further improve accuracy and applicability.
MONITORING OF GLACIERS ON HORSESHOE ISLAND, ANTARCTICA BASED ON A DEEP LEARNING APPROACH FROM HIGH-RESOLUTION ORTHOPHOTOS (TAE-6 & TAE-7)
Authors: Selbesoğlu M. O. , Bakırman T. , Karabulut M. F. , Günaydın E. , Vassilev O. , Oktar O. , Özsoy B.
Published: March 2024

Abstract. Global climate change is a phenomenon that seriously affects the balance of a wide variety of ecosystems and is the intense focus of climate scientists and environmental researchers. In this context, periodic monitoring of glacier areas in terms of a better understanding of atmosphere-ocean interactions; thus, predicting the effects of climate change and planning against future threats by evaluating environmental impacts is an important research area. Especially the polar regions, where the melting of glaciers and the rise of sea levels are visibly observed, are important for climate scientists in providing crucial observations to understand and predict global climate change. In this study, within the scope of the international bilateral cooperation project carried out in cooperation with Istanbul Technical University (ITU) and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) (Project No: 121N033), the spatial changes in snow/glacier areas obtained from UAV Photogrammetry products generated during the 6th and 7th Antarctic National Science Expeditions. Snow/glacier areas were segmented with the K-Net deep learning approach which has been previously tested for accuracy and provides glacier mapping with accuracy metrics over 99%, on the high spatial resolution orthophotos produced during the two periods. The snow/glacier areas difference between the two periods were calculated and compared and water bodies which are critical areas, were specifically examined. The result of this comparison shows that the glacier area decreased by approximately 11% in just 1 year. However, to better understand these changes in snow/glacier areas, the region needs to be observed closely for longer time periods. It is thought that future studies will contribute to efforts to manage global environmental impacts and cope with climate change by focusing on monitoring and better understanding changes in these critical regions.
ASSESSING AIR POLLUTANT EMISSIONS IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE 2021 FOREST FIRES IN MARMARIS AND MANAVGAT, TÜRKİYE: INSIGHTS FROM SATELLITE-BASED MONITORING
Authors: Serifoglu Yilmaz C.
Published: March 2024

Abstract. In recent years, the occurrence of forest fires has become almost inevitable worldwide due to the severe impact of climate change. Consequently, it is imperative to examine the consequences of these fires, pinpoint the affected areas, and take required measures following post-fire incidents. With the advent of modern remote sensing satellites, which allow for the rapid monitoring of vast expanses, they offer a valuable data source for addressing such emergency scenarios. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to evaluate the extent of air pollutant gas emissions resulting from the forest fires that occurred in Marmaris and Manavgat, Türkiye, in the summer of 2021. To this aim, using the data obtained from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) sensor onboard the Sentinel-5P satellite, the amount of major air pollutants nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and aerosol were investigated after the forest fires considering three different non-fire time periods. The findings of the experiments indicated that in Manavgat, there was a substantial rise in NO2 and average CO levels by 260.43% and 107.07%, respectively, when compared to the 10-day period preceding the forest fire event. Similarly, in Marmaris, there was an increase of 203.63% in NO2 levels and a 102.47% rise in average CO levels during the same period. Positive absorbing aerosol index (AAI) values were also observed during the events, which means that the amount of UV-absorbing aerosols increased due to the fire. The differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR) maps derived from the Sentinel-2 MSI imagery were also used to investigate the severity of the forest fires, and to observe the relationship between the fire severity level and the air pollutants investigated.
THE IMPACT OF GOOGLE’S APIS ON LANDSCAPE VIRTUAL REPRESENTATION
Authors: Bianconi F. , Filippucci M. , Cornacchini F. , Migliosi A.
Published: March 2024

Abstract. The field of territorial representation has undergone significant transformations in response to the proliferation of the internet, leading to the emergence of platforms dedicated to global exploration. Notably, Google Earth has assumed a pivotal role and stands as one of the most widely utilized tools for making territorial information universally accessible. Google recently introduced direct access to photorealistic 3DTiles via dedicated APIs, ushering in a new era of possibilities. This integration forms a robust foundation for crafting customized applications and interactive experiences within a geospatial three-dimensional environment. The primary objective of this research is the assessment of the accuracy and potential of the resources provided by Google within a workflow focused on digital twin processing and geospatial data visualization. To achieve this goal, a comparative analysis of distinct models was conducted, with each model representing a unique approach to three-dimensional reconstruction. The research introduces a methodology designed for easy replication in other case studies, demonstrating intrinsic scalability suitable for more complex or diverse scenarios. Furthermore, the study offers a comprehensive assessment of the differences and characteristics of the three methods analyzed, providing insights into their potential and limitations.
Telemetric angle and position sensing using millimeter-wave metamaterial and a frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) chip
Authors: Schossmann Alexander , Töfferl Michael , Schmidt Christoph , Bergmann Alexander
Published: March 2024

Abstract. We present a fully telemetric sensor concept for angle and position measurement. It is based on single-layer millimeter-wave metamaterials that exhibit an anisotropic resonant behavior in interaction with incident electromagnetic waves. The angle of rotation is determined from the reflected millimeter waves of the metamaterial target using a millimeter wave chip transceiver. We use a metamaterial geometry exhibiting anisotropic Fano-type resonant behavior. The Fano-type resonance shows a distinct minimum in the reflection spectrum, even with a single layer of metamaterial. The metamaterial target is manufactured on a printed circuit board (PCB) laminate with low-cost standard manufacturing methods. We present an analytical model estimating the resonance frequency of the metamaterial used. The model allows us to assess whether with the Fano-type metamaterial unit cell structure resonance frequencies in the millimeter wave regime are achievable and compliant with standard PCB manufacturing design rules. We performed proof-of-principle experiments with the metamaterial targets and a vector network analyzer, assisted by a detailed analysis of the sensor effect by means of finite-element method calculations. Finally, we implemented a demonstrator setup containing a state-of-the-art frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar chip and a metamaterial target manufactured with standard PCB manufacturing processes.
Effect of Storage Methods on Quality of Lac - A Natural Resin
Authors: S.K. Giri  , M.F. Ansari  , B. Baboo
Published: March 2024

A study was carried out to assess the changes in physico-chemical parameters of lac resin during storage for one year. All three forms of lac viz. sticklac, seedlac and shellac were stored following different methods as practiced by lac traders and industries, and some quality parameters of the products were evaluated during storage. Qualitative losses included decrease in flow, heat polymerization time (life) and rate of filtration; and increase in colour index and hot alcohol insolubles of lac resin during storage. In case of sticklac, maximum increase in hot alcohol insolubles (24% in ari and 69% in phunki sticklac) was noticed in samples stored in plastic bags and minimum increase (4.87 % in immature lac and 37 % in used-up broodlac) was observed in samples stored on cement floor. Very little difference in the value of flow was observed between different methods of storage. Better life and colour were observed in products stored on earthen floor. Seedlac stored on cemented floor best retained the properties i.e. minimum increase in hot alcohol insolubles (6.17%) and minimum decrease in flow (35.89%) and life (13.43%) after one year of storage. Storage in metal container resulted in 87.65% increase in hot alcohol insolubles, 61.54% decrease in flow and 19.4% decrease in life. Flow and life of cold stored shellac samples were found slightly higher (2 to 5 %) than the samples stored by other methods after one year of storage.
Impact of Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting for Groundwater Recharge
Authors: Rajan Agarwal  , Sunil Garg  , Saman Preet Kaur  , M P Kaushal  , Nilesh Biwalkar
Published: March 2024

A rooftop rainwater harvesting structure was constructed and the design of filtration unit for ground water recharge evaluated for four years. The other structure constructed at the university library recorded an average of 0.3 million litres groundwater recharge. The success led to construction of six more structures at different places, and currently 20 structures have been established at different places in Punjab under the technical guidance of the university. In the year 2007, eleven structures were evaluated and found that they contributed about 2.01 million litres of rainwater as groundwater recharge. The study revealed that there was a need to adopt this technique at mass level to get significant results. This would be possible only with the help of people, participation. The possibilities to motivate the people for adoption of the technique at mass level have been reviewed.
Response of Cotton to Drip and Surface Irrigation in Saline Vertisols
Authors: Dateshwa Rajak  , M.V. Manunatha  , G.R. Rajkumar  , G. Ravishankar
Published: March 2024

A field experiment was conducted on saline vertisols at Gangavati, Karnataka to study the response of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) to drip and surface irrigation at various irrigation water (IW) to ET ratios viz., 0.8 ET, 1.0 ET, 1.2 ET and 1.4 ET. Crop response in terms of plant height, number of branches and number of bolls per plant was better under drip as compared to surface irrigation. The highest cotton yield was recorded in drip irrigation at