|
|
|
Education/Research
|
A trilateral cooperation for the development of northeastern Brazil, II
Klaus A. Ulbricht
DLR-Optoelektronik, 8031 Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany
Harendra S. Teotia
Univ. Federal de Paraiba, CCT-UFPB, 58100 Campina Grande, Brazil
Daniel L. Civco,William C. Kennard
University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, U.S.A.
Abstract:
For a number of years there has been cooperation between the ‘Centro de Ciencias Tecnicas’ (CCT) of the ‘Universidade Federal do Paraiba’ (UFPB), Brazil, the ‘Institute fur Optoelektronik’ of the German Aerospace Research Establishment (DLR-OE), Germany, and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the University of Connecticut (UCONN), USA, aiming at the improvement of the undeveloped and underdeveloped parts of the North-East of Brazil with help of remote sensing.
Satellite imagery on computer compatible tapes has been evaluated with the help of a sophisticated laser beam recorder at DLR in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, to produce false colour images and single band evaluations from LANDSAT TM and SPOT satellites. Optical evaluation led to maps giving drainage charts for land irrigability, as well as morphophysical characteristics of the soil, geological landscape characteristics and major soil classes and soil association. Detailed digital image processing at the Laboratory for Remote Sensing of the University of Connecticut resulted in maps of land use and land cover classifications, soil associations, slope classes, soil mapping units, an erosion model for a particular area, and agro technical limitations.
Several papers have been published at the more important earth reconnaissance conferences (1-7) and lectures and reports have been addressed to students and interested persons. A proposal for the installation of a remote sensing laboratory has been referred to a Brazilian University (8), and projects for training and education of students of higher academic level in Brazil, coupled with on the job training, have been submitted to funding organizations (9, 10) taking advantage of the experience of the German remote sensing center at DLR-Oberpfaffenhofen or the dedicated image processing at UCONN, and taking advantage of the more progressed education possibilities in Germany (Berlin) compared to Brazil.
Last, but not least, limited financial sources for the pursuit of the work, including the purchase of tapes, photographic material, trips to Brazil, Germany, and the US, for information exchange and lectures, as well as training and teaching, had to be secured. Particular results of the cooperation, gathered from SPOT computer compatible tapes, are presented.
Objectives
Main purpose of the cooperation is the development of the Northeast of Brazil, to be acquired by
- training and education of Brazilian scientist (remote sensing, image processing, geographical information systems for use in geology/mineral exploration, regional/urban planning, soil/land management, ecological studies).
- the production of different kinds of thematic maps (to aid the authorities in planning and management processes),
and
- the use of modern technology and technology transfer.
The production of maps resulted in the following kinds of charts:
land use and land cover, soil associations, land capability classification, slope classes, land irrigability, agro-technical limitations, suitability classification for land development and irrigation potential, and a GIS for development of an erosion model.
Further results are the plan for an ‘Aerial Photography and Remote Sensing Laboratory (8), as well as a project for the ‘Development of the Northeast’ (9) with the help of remote sensing and geographical information systems.
Investigated Area
The research area in the northeast of Brazil was selected according to development necessity, personal experience, i.e. available ground truth, and coverage by LANDSAT and SPOT satellite.
Computer compatible tapes (CCT) of cloudfree imagery investigated were:
| Nomenclature |
Acquisition date |
Center coordinates |
| LANDSATE (WRS 215-06) |
June 17, 1984 |
S 07015’02” |
W 036048’48” |
| SPOT (728/364) |
May 10, 1987 |
S 07000’ |
W 036055’ |
| SPOT (728/364) |
Febr. 24, 1991 |
S 07001’ |
W 037002’ |
As well as CCT’s of related areas.
Additional information sources for the investigation were aerial photography and topographic maps. Photographic enlargements of false colour composites, real colour composites, and b/w prints of single bands were used for the optical interpretation.
Particular digital investigations, correlated with ground truth acquisition, were centered around the Santa Luzia area in the state of Paraiba, as well as the Picos area in the state of Piaui.
Methodology
Optical interpretations were done using b/w recordings as well as false colour composites of LANDSAT TM and SPOT satellite spectral bands by DLR’s FIRE laser beam recorder. An enlarged paper print was placed on a light table and boundaries of homogeneous area were drawn in by hand. The mapping units this recorded were identified by.
- comparison with published technical reports and maps,
- comparison with a generalized interpretation key (Teotia 1981)and
- vertification with personal experience and collected ground truth.
Preparation of maps was done according to Anderson et al. 1976 (11)
Digital interpretation was done with ERDAS (Earth Resources Data Analysis System) software on a microcomputer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
