scholarly journals Determining the Intangible: Detecting Land Abandonment at Local Scale

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1166
Author(s):  
Barbara Czesak ◽  
Renata Różycka-Czas ◽  
Tomasz Salata ◽  
Robert Dixon-Gough ◽  
Józef Hernik
Keyword(s):  
Data Processing ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Control Method ◽  
Kernel Functions ◽  
Land Abandonment ◽  
Visual Interpretation ◽  
Data Collection And Analysis ◽  
Good Identification ◽  
Accuracy Of Results

Precisely determining agricultural land abandonment (ALA) in an area is still difficult, even with recent progress in data collection and analysis. It is especially difficult in fragmented areas that need more tailor-made methods. The aim of this research was to determine ALA using airborne laser scanning (ALS) data, which are available in Poland with 4 to 6 points per square metre resolution. ALS data were processed into heat maps and modified with chosen kernel functions: triweight and Epanechnikov. The results of ALS data processing were compared to the control method, i.e., visual interpretation of an orthophotomap. This study shows that ALS data modelled with kernel functions allow for a good identification of ALA. The accuracy of results shows 82% concordance as compared to the control method. When comparing triweight and Epanechnikov functions, higher accuracy was achieved when using the triweight function. The research shows that ALS data processing is a promising method of detection of ALA and could provide an alternative to well-known methods such as the analysis of satellite images.

scholarly journals Height of Successional Vegetation Indicates Moment of Agricultural Land Abandonment

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Kolecka
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Land Abandonment ◽  
Slope Aspect ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Vegetation Height ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Successional Vegetation

One of the major land use and land cover changes in Europe is agricultural land abandonment (ALA) that particularly affects marginal mountain areas. Accurate mapping of ALA patterns and timing is important for understanding its determinants and the environmental and socio-economic consequences. In highly fragmented agricultural landscapes with small-scale farming, subtle land use changes following ALA can be detected with high resolution remotely sensed data, and successional vegetation height is a possible indicator of ALA timing. The main aim of this study was to determine the relationship between successional vegetation height and the timing of agricultural land abandonment in the Budzów community in the Polish Carpathians. Areas of vegetation succession were vectorized on 1977, 1997, and 2009 orthophotomaps, enabling the distinguishing of vegetation encroaching on abandoned fields before and after 1997. Vegetation height in 2012–2014 was determined from digital surface and terrain models that were derived from airborne laser scanning data. The median heights of successional vegetation that started development before and after 1997 were different (6.9 m and 3.2 m, respectively). No significant correlations between successional vegetation height and elevation, slope, aspect, and proximity to forest were found. Thus, the timing of agricultural land abandonment is the most important factor influencing vegetation height, whereas environmental characteristics on this scale of investigation may be neglected.

scholarly journals Agroforestry Systems of the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley: Land Use for Biocultural Diversity Conservation

Land ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
Mariana Vallejo ◽  
M. Isabel Ramírez ◽  
Alejandro Reyes-González ◽  
Jairo López-Sánchez ◽  
Alejandro Casas
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
Biocultural Diversity ◽  
Semiarid Region ◽  
Agricultural Land Use ◽  
Visual Interpretation ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Human Settlements

The Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley, Mexico, is the semiarid region with the richest biodiversity of North America and was recently recognized as a UNESCO's World Heritage site. Original agricultural practices remain to this day in agroforestry systems (AFS), which are expressions of high biocultural diversity. However, local people and researchers perceive a progressive decline both in natural ecosystems and AFS. To assess changes in location and extent of agricultural land use, we carried out a visual interpretation of very-high resolution imagery and field work, through which we identified AFS and conventional agricultural systems (CAS) from 1995 to 2003 and 2012. We analyzed five communities, representative of three main ecological and agricultural zones of the region. We assessed agricultural land use changes in relation to conspicuous landscape features (relief, rivers, roads, and human settlements). We found that natural ecosystems cover more than 85% of the territory in each community, and AFS represent 51% of all agricultural land. Establishment and permanence of agricultural lands were strongly influenced by gentle slopes and the existence of roads. Contrary to what we expected, we recorded agricultural areas being abandoned, thus favoring the regeneration of natural ecosystems, as well as a 9% increase of AFS over CAS. Agriculture is concentrated near human settlements. Most of the studied territories are meant to preserve natural ecosystems, and traditional AFS practices are being recovered for biocultural conservation.

scholarly journals THE FACADE’S DOME OF THE ST. ANTHONY’S BASILICA IN PADUA

2019 ◽  
Vol XLII-2/W11 ◽  
pp. 481-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Diaz ◽  
S. M. Holzer
Keyword(s):  
Data Processing ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Laser Scanner ◽  
Complex Structures ◽  
Modus Operandi ◽  
Time Consumption ◽  
Stratigraphic Analysis ◽  
Entire Structure ◽  
Close Range ◽  
Human Effort

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> The basilica of St. Anthony in Padua (13th–14th cent.) is one of the most remarkable pilgrimage sites in Italy. To date, the monument itself has never been subject to a comprehensive stratigraphic analysis. Important information about the construction sequence of the building may be conserved in the domed roofs protecting the inner masonry shells.</p><p>The present paper will focus on the dome next to the facade. During the survey, data acquisition via laser scanner have been flanked by standard tasks. Specifically, the stratification analysis of the timber framework of the dome requires to measure the entire structure, including parts with difficult access, and calls for many scan bases to go further the sight obstacles represented by the rafters and the horizontal collar-beams. Therefore, application of laser scanning might appear difficult at first sight.</p><p>The authors will show that the approach confirms the suitability of the laser scanner technology in facing the general complexity of the structure. The development of a graphic documentation in CAD environment entailed a manageable complexity in terms of time-consumption and precision in data processing. So far, the plans reveal the irregular profile of the dome in its inner masonry shell, and of the outer masonry drum. The sections show a two-centre curvature of the elevation of the outer timber shell. However, the joints among the rafters, ribs, and tie-beams still require a series of traditional in-depth assessments acquired in close-range access.</p><p>Nevertheless, the pragmatic investigative modus operandi, tested up to now, does represent a fixed protocol suitable to be iterated and perfected for each cupola. In such complex structures, the laser scanning process confirms to be a valid strategy to reach a good compromise between time consumption, human effort, and millimetre precision. In this way, the collected material provides a first contribution to acquire knowledge on this Italian medieval masterpiece, which stands out on the international scenario for its historical richness and architectural complexity.</p>

scholarly journals ACCURACY ASSESSMENT IN STRUCTURE FROM MOTION 3D RECONSTRUCTION FROM UAV-BORN IMAGES: THE INFLUENCE OF THE DATA PROCESSING METHODS

2015 ◽  
Vol XL-1/W4 ◽  
pp. 103-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Caroti ◽  
I. Martínez-Espejo Zaragoza ◽  
A. Piemonte
Keyword(s):  
Data Processing ◽  
Structure From Motion ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Accuracy Assessment ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Evolution Of Structure ◽  
Textured Models ◽  
The Church ◽  
Data Processing Methods

The evolution of Structure from Motion (SfM) techniques and their integration with the established procedures of classic stereoscopic photogrammetric survey have provided a very effective tool for the production of three-dimensional textured models. Such models are not only aesthetically pleasing but can also contain metric information, the quality of which depends on both survey type and applied processing methodologies. An open research topic in this area refers to checking attainable accuracy levels. The knowledge of such accuracy is essential, especially in the integration of models obtained through SfM with other models derived from different sensors or methods (laser scanning, classic photogrammetry ...). Accuracy checks may be conducted by either comparing SfM models against a reference one or measuring the deviation of control points identified on models and measured with classic topographic instrumentation and methodologies. This paper presents an analysis of attainable accuracy levels, according to different approaches of survey and data processing. For this purpose, a survey of the Church of San Miniato in Marcianella (Pisa, Italy), has been used. The dataset is an integration of laser scanning with terrestrial and UAV-borne photogrammetric surveys; in addition, a high precision topographic network was established for the specific purpose. In particular, laser scanning has been used for the interior and the exterior of the church, with the exclusion of the roof, while UAVs have been used for the photogrammetric survey of both roof, with horizontal strips, and façade, with vertical strips.

scholarly journals Design of a Predictive RBF Compensation Fuzzy PID Controller for 3D Laser Scanning System

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (13) ◽  
pp. 4662 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minghui Zhao ◽  
Xiaobin Xu ◽  
Hao Yang ◽  
Zhijie Pan
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Control Method ◽  
Rbf Neural Network ◽  
Step Response ◽  
Scanning System ◽  
3D Laser Scanning ◽  
Pitching Motion ◽  
Fuzzy Algorithm ◽  
Laser Scanning System

A new proportional integral derivative (PID) control method is proposed for the 3D laser scanning system converted from 2D Lidar with a pitching motion device. It combines the advantages of a fuzzy algorithm, a radial basis function (RBF) neural network and a predictive algorithm to control the pitching motion of 2D Lidar quickly and accurately. The proposed method adopts the RBF neural network and feedback compensation to eliminate the unknown nonlinear part in the Lidar pitching motion, adaptively adjusting the PID parameter by a fuzzy algorithm. Then, the predictive control algorithm is adopted to optimize the overall controller output in real time. Finally, the simulation results show that the step response time of the Lidar pitching motion system using the control method is reduced from 15.298 s to 1.957 s with a steady-state error of 0.07°. Meanwhile, the system still has favorable response performance for the sinusoidal and step inputs under model mismatch and large disturbance. Therefore, the control method proposed above can improve the system performance and control the pitching motion of the 2D Lidar effectively.

scholarly journals Agricultural Land Abandonment and Farmers’ Perceptions of Land Use Change in the Indus Plains of Pakistan: A Case Study of Sindh Province

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (17) ◽  
pp. 4663
Author(s):  
Habibullah Rajpar ◽  
Anlu Zhang ◽  
Amar Razzaq ◽  
Khalid Mehmood ◽  
Maula Bux Pirzado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Use Change ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Land Abandonment ◽  
Agricultural Lands ◽  
Sindh Province ◽  
The Government

Agriculture is the mainstay of Pakistan’s economy. However, it has been noticed that farmers are increasingly giving up agriculture in favor of non-agricultural activities. This study was conducted in the Khairpur district of Sindh province, which is part of the Indus Plains in Pakistan. The main purpose of the study was to investigate the current and future land use change (LUC) trends and to study farmers’ perceptions of the causes and consequences of LUC and agricultural land abandonment (ALA) in the study area. The study used field survey data and secondary data obtained from the government sources. The results show that agricultural land in the region has decreased by about 9% in the past two decades. Survey data analysis confirms this because more than 80% of farmers believe that agricultural land in the area has declined over time. In addition, farmers believe that socioeconomic and environmental changes are the main reasons for LUC and ALA. We used a logistic regression model to determine the factors that influence farmers’ decisions to sell agricultural land for other uses. The results show that the age, income, land ownership, farm inheritance by successors, social networks and lack of basic facilities in the study area are the main determinants of farmers’ decisions to sell agricultural lands. In particular, farmers’ integration into the social network and their belief that the farm will be inherited by heirs reduces the possibility of selling land. As for the consequences of LUC and ALA, the results indicate that farmland prices, weeds infestation, urban diffusion, and pressure on existing infrastructure have increased in the study area. In addition, the results show that the prospects of farming in the area remain grim as most farmers indicated that they were willing to abandon agricultural lands in favor of other revenue generation activities. The study suggests that policymakers should pay close attention to controlling rapid LUC and ALA to keep lands green.

scholarly journals No evidence of increased fire risk due to agricultural land abandonment in Sardinia (Italy)

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1333-1336 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Ricotta ◽  
D. Guglietta ◽  
A. Migliozzi
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Fire Hazard ◽  
Fire Behavior ◽  
Land Abandonment ◽  
Fuel Load ◽  
Short Paper ◽  
Ignition Probability ◽  
Fire Ignition

Abstract. Different land cover types are related to different levels of fire hazard through their vegetation structure and fuel load composition. Therefore, understanding the relationships between landscape changes and fire behavior is of crucial importance for developing adequate fire fighting and fire prevention strategies for a changing world. In the last decades the abandonment of agricultural lands and pastoral activities has been the major driver of landscape transformations in Mediterranean Europe. As agricultural land abandonment typically promotes an increase in plant biomass (fuel load), a number of authors argue that vegetation succession in abandoned fields and pastures is expected to increase fire hazard. In this short paper, based on 28 493 fires in Sardinia (Italy) in the period 2001–2010, we show that there is no evidence of increased probability of fire ignition in abandoned rural areas. To the contrary, in Sardinia the decreased human impact associated with agricultural land abandonment leads to a statistically significant decrease of fire ignition probability.

scholarly journals An Assessment and Spatial Modelling of Agricultural Land Abandonment in Spain (2015–2030)

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Perpiña Castillo ◽  
Eloína Coll Aliaga ◽  
Carlo Lavalle ◽  
José Carlos Martínez Llario
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Spatial Modelling ◽  
Land Abandonment ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Northern Spain ◽  
Joint Research ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
High Nature Value Farmland

This article presents a study based on the outputs from the LUISA Territorial modelling platform (Joint Research Centre of the European Commission) focused on regional and local future projections of land abandonment between 2015 and 2030. Spain is taken as representative of one of the countries highly affected by agricultural land abandonment in the European Union. The most relevant factors driving land abandonment (biophysical, agroeconomics, farm structure and demographic) are described and mapped. Results from the analysis reveal that the Galicia region, northern Spain (Asturias, Cantabria, Gipuzkoa, Bizkaia), north-eastern Spain (Aragón region), central Pyrenees/Ebro basin (Huesca, Navarra, Lleida) and south-eastern Spain (Murcia, Almería, Alicante, Málaga) are expected to undergo important abandonment processes. The study also concludes that land abandonment within mountainous, high nature value farmland and Natura 2000 areas is lower compared to the outside area without conservation and protection measures.

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