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Title: Water and Soil Salinity Mapping for Southern Everglades using Remote Sensing Techniques and In Situ Observations.
Creator: Khadim, Fahad Khan, Su, Hongbo, Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
Abstract/Description: Everglades National Park is a hydro-ecologically significant wetland experiencing salinity ingress over the years. This motivated our study to map water salinity using a spatially weighted optimization model (SWOM); and soil salinity using land cover classes and EC thresholds. SWOM was calibrated and validated at 3-km grids with actual salinity for 1998–2001, and yielded acceptable R2 (0.89-0.92) and RMSE (1.73-1.92 ppt). Afterwards, seasonal water salinity mapping for 1996–97, 2004–05, and...
Show moreEverglades National Park is a hydro-ecologically significant wetland experiencing salinity ingress over the years. This motivated our study to map water salinity using a spatially weighted optimization model (SWOM); and soil salinity using land cover classes and EC thresholds. SWOM was calibrated and validated at 3-km grids with actual salinity for 1998–2001, and yielded acceptable R2 (0.89-0.92) and RMSE (1.73-1.92 ppt). Afterwards, seasonal water salinity mapping for 1996–97, 2004–05, and 2016 was carried out. For soil salinity mapping, supervised land cover classification was firstly carried out for 1996, 2000, 2006, 2010 and 2015; with the first four providing average accuracies of 82%-94% against existing NLCD classifications. The land cover classes and EC thresholds helped mapping four soil salinity classes namely, the non saline (EC = 0~2 dS/m), low saline (EC = 2~4 dS/m), moderate saline (EC = 4~8 dS/m) and high saline (EC >8 dS/m) areas.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004860, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004860
Subject Headings: Everglades National Park (Fla.)--Environmental conditions., Florida Bay (Fla.)--Environmental conditions., Remote sensing., Multispectral imaging., Environmental monitoring--Remote sensing., Geographic information systems., Soils--Remote sensing., Soil moisture--Measurement., Soil mapping.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: COMBINING TRADITIONAL AND IMAGE ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES FOR UNCONSOLIDATED EXPOSED TERRIGENOUS BEACH SAND CHARACTERIZATION.
Creator: Smith, Molly Elizabeth, Zhang, Caiyun, Oleinik, Anton, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Geosciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: Traditional sand analysis is labor and cost-intensive, entailing specialized equipment and operators trained in geological analysis. Even a small step to automate part of the traditional geological methods could substantially improve the speed of such research while removing chances of human error. Digital image analysis techniques and computer vision have been well developed and applied in various fields but rarely explored for sand analysis. This research explores capabilities of remote...
Show moreTraditional sand analysis is labor and cost-intensive, entailing specialized equipment and operators trained in geological analysis. Even a small step to automate part of the traditional geological methods could substantially improve the speed of such research while removing chances of human error. Digital image analysis techniques and computer vision have been well developed and applied in various fields but rarely explored for sand analysis. This research explores capabilities of remote sensing digital image analysis techniques, such as object-based image analysis (OBIA), machine learning, digital image analysis, and photogrammetry to automate or semi-automate the traditional sand analysis procedure. Here presented is a framework combining OBIA and machine learning classification of microscope imagery for use with unconsolidated terrigenous beach sand samples. Five machine learning classifiers (RF, DT, SVM, k-NN, and ANN) are used to model mineral composition from images of ten terrigenous beach sand samples. Digital image analysis and photogrammetric techniques are applied and evaluated for use to characterize sand grain size and grain circularity (given as a digital proxy for traditional grain sphericity). A new segmentation process is also introduced, where pixel-level SLICO superpixel segmentation is followed by spectral difference segmentation and further levels of superpixel segmentation at the object-level. Previous methods of multi-resolution and superpixel segmentation at the object level do not provide the level of detail necessary to yield optimal sand grain-sized segments. In this proposed framework, the DT and RF classifiers provide the best estimations of mineral content of all classifiers tested compared to traditional compositional analysis. Average grain size approximated from photogrammetric procedures is comparable to traditional sieving methods, having an RMSE below 0.05%. The framework proposed here reduces the number of trained personnel needed to perform sand-related research. It requires minimal sand sample preparation and minimizes user-error that is typically introduced during traditional sand analysis.
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Date Issued: 2020
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013517
Subject Headings: Sand, Image analysis, Remote sensing, Photogrammetry--Digital techniques, Machine learning
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Development of a remote sensing technique for woody vegetation in Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area.
Creator: Franklin, Sarah., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission lacks a viable method for monitoring woody vegetation in expansive wetland communities, such as the Florida Everglades. This study used aerial photographs of Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area in southeastern Palm Beach County, Florida to develop techniques for remotely monitoring changes in woody vegetation. Imagery from 2006, 2008, and 2010 were classified into woody and non-woody categories using Adobe Photoshop's Magic Wand Tool....
Show moreThe Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission lacks a viable method for monitoring woody vegetation in expansive wetland communities, such as the Florida Everglades. This study used aerial photographs of Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area in southeastern Palm Beach County, Florida to develop techniques for remotely monitoring changes in woody vegetation. Imagery from 2006, 2008, and 2010 were classified into woody and non-woody categories using Adobe Photoshop's Magic Wand Tool. Selection was performed with a bias toward over classification, as project objectives required identifying as many trees as possible. Classified pixels in Time 1 within 4 feet (2 pixels) of classified pixels from Time 2 were considered the same canopy. Overall accuracy for the study was 98%.
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Date Issued: 2011
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3175018
Subject Headings: Environmental monitoring, Remote sensing, Vegetation dynamics, Ecosystem management
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Object detection in low resolution video sequences.
Creator: Pava, Diego F., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Abstract/Description: With augmenting security concerns and decreasing costs of surveillance and computing equipment, research on automated systems for object detection has been increasing, but the majority of the studies focus their attention on sequences where high resolution objects are present. The main objective of this work is the detection and extraction of information of low resolution objects (e.g. objects that are so far away from the camera that they occupy only tens of pixels) in order to provide a...
Show moreWith augmenting security concerns and decreasing costs of surveillance and computing equipment, research on automated systems for object detection has been increasing, but the majority of the studies focus their attention on sequences where high resolution objects are present. The main objective of this work is the detection and extraction of information of low resolution objects (e.g. objects that are so far away from the camera that they occupy only tens of pixels) in order to provide a base for higher level information operations such as classification and behavioral analysis. The system proposed is composed of four stages (preprocessing, background modeling, information extraction, and post processing) and uses context based region of importance selection, histogram equalization, background subtraction and morphological filtering techniques. The result is a system capable of detecting and tracking low resolution objects in a controlled background scene which can be a base for systems with higher complexity.
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Date Issued: 2009
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/186685
Subject Headings: Computer systems, Security measures, Remote sensing, Image processing, Digital techniques, Imaging systems, Mathematical models
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: OBJECT-BASED LAND COVER CLASSIFICATION OF UAV TRUE COLOR IMAGERY.
Creator: Castillo, Stephen M., Nagarajan, Sudhagar, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Abstract/Description: Land cover classification is necessary for understanding the state of the surface of the Earth at varying regions of interest. Knowledge of the Earth’s surface is critical in land-use planning, especially for the project study area Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area, where various vegetation, wild-life, and cultural components rely on adequate land-cover knowledge. The purpose of this research is to demonstrate the capability of UAV true color imagery for land cover...
Show moreLand cover classification is necessary for understanding the state of the surface of the Earth at varying regions of interest. Knowledge of the Earth’s surface is critical in land-use planning, especially for the project study area Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area, where various vegetation, wild-life, and cultural components rely on adequate land-cover knowledge. The purpose of this research is to demonstrate the capability of UAV true color imagery for land cover classification. In addition to the objective of land cover classification, comparison of varying spatial resolutions of the imagery will be analyzed in the accuracy assessment of the output thematic maps. These resolutions will also be compared at varying training sample sizes to see which configuration performed best.
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Date Issued: 2020
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013454
Subject Headings: Land cover, Unmanned aerial vehicles, Drone aircraft in remote sensing, Images, Classification
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Statistical correlation between economic activity and DMSP-OLS night light images in Florida.
Creator: Forbes, Dolores J., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Optical Line Scan (OLS) instruments collect data from an altitude of approximately 830km above the surface of the Earth. The night light data from these instruments has been shown to correlate by lit area with national level Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and to correlate with GDP at the State level by total radiance value. Very strong correlation is found between the night light data at a new, larger scale, the Metropolitan Statistical Area ...
Show moreThe Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Optical Line Scan (OLS) instruments collect data from an altitude of approximately 830km above the surface of the Earth. The night light data from these instruments has been shown to correlate by lit area with national level Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and to correlate with GDP at the State level by total radiance value. Very strong correlation is found between the night light data at a new, larger scale, the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) within the state of Florida. Additional statistical analysis was performed to determine which industries within each MSA explain the greatest amount of variance in the night light data. Industrial variables exhibited strong multi-collinearity. It is therefore impossible to determine which industries explain the greatest variance in the night light image data.
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Date Issued: 2011
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3175019
Subject Headings: Earth, Rendering (Computer graphics), Urban ecology (Sociology), Sustainable development
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Classification of mature Australian pines (Casuarina equisetifolia) using LIDAR data in Broward County, Florida.
Creator: Zumbado, Jennifer M., Florida Atlantic University, Roberts, Charles
Abstract/Description: The development of high resolution LIDAR DSM combined with digital infrared ortho-photography data enhances the ability to map canopy structures with a higher degree of accuracy and precision than with either data set alone. The purpose of this thesis is to map Australian Pine (Casuarina equisetifolia with a 85% or greater accuracy by creating a methodology that uses LIDAR and color infrared ortho-photography and to test it within three different landscape types within Broward County. LIDAR...
Show moreThe development of high resolution LIDAR DSM combined with digital infrared ortho-photography data enhances the ability to map canopy structures with a higher degree of accuracy and precision than with either data set alone. The purpose of this thesis is to map Australian Pine (Casuarina equisetifolia with a 85% or greater accuracy by creating a methodology that uses LIDAR and color infrared ortho-photography and to test it within three different landscape types within Broward County. LIDAR features below a determined height threshold (i.e. Deerpoint 25 ft) were eliminated and recoded to 0 to create Mask 1. NDVI technique separated non-vegetative features from vegetative features to create Mask 2. Mask 1 and Mask 2 were merged and overlaid on the raw LIDAR data set to perform isodata clustering, as well as density slicing to identify mature Australian Pines. Careful delineation of study areas is critical to obtain the highest possible accuracy. Density slicing proved to be a faster and less time consuming technique for achieving 85% level of accuracy than compared to isodata clustering.
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Date Issued: 2003
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13092
Subject Headings: Casuarina--Florida--Broward County, Aerial photography in forestry, Ecology--Remote sensing, Aerial photogrammetry
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Image rectification/registration from a project management perspective: A review of various software.
Creator: Gammack-Clark, James Peter, Florida Atlantic University, Roberts, Charles
Abstract/Description: The project manager has much to deliberate when choosing a software package for image rectification/registration. He/she must be able to perform a cost analysis evaluation of the packages in question, and determine which package will provide the highest level of positional accuracy. Objective and subjective analysis of six software packages, ArcView Image Analysis, GeoMedia Pro, Arc/Info 8.1, ERMAPPER, ENVI and Idrisi 3.2, and their multiple products (polynomials and triangulations) provide...
Show moreThe project manager has much to deliberate when choosing a software package for image rectification/registration. He/she must be able to perform a cost analysis evaluation of the packages in question, and determine which package will provide the highest level of positional accuracy. Objective and subjective analysis of six software packages, ArcView Image Analysis, GeoMedia Pro, Arc/Info 8.1, ERMAPPER, ENVI and Idrisi 3.2, and their multiple products (polynomials and triangulations) provide the basis with which the project manager may attain this goal. He/she is familiarized with the user interface of each package, through detailed step-by-step methodology. Positional accuracy of each product is compared to Ground Control Points (GCPs) derived from a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS). The accuracy of each product is also compared to the industry standard USGS DOQQ, and it is discovered that while simple rectification procedures may produce mean errors acceptable to the specifications of NMAS, the strictest application of these standards reveal that these products are not accurate enough to satisfy the USGS standards.
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Date Issued: 2001
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12829
Subject Headings: Computer software--Evaluation, Image processing--Digital techniques, Remote sensing
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Image ratioing as appropriate technology for monitoring vegetation cover in the Caribbean.
Creator: Delahunty, Justine Louise., Florida Atlantic University, Roberts, Charles
Abstract/Description: Satellite image processing should not be dismissed as a tool to monitor vegetation cover because of cost concerns or classification problems due to topographic extremes. Low cost imagery and image processing software's are available and the image ratio technique can be used to minimize classification problems due to topography. The Forestry Division of St. Vincent island has minimum resources and the island's topography varies from sea level to 1,324 meters. The plight of the endemic,...
Show moreSatellite image processing should not be dismissed as a tool to monitor vegetation cover because of cost concerns or classification problems due to topographic extremes. Low cost imagery and image processing software's are available and the image ratio technique can be used to minimize classification problems due to topography. The Forestry Division of St. Vincent island has minimum resources and the island's topography varies from sea level to 1,324 meters. The plight of the endemic, endangered St. Vincent Parrot (Amazona guildingii) was used as a case study. An appropriate habitat monitoring technique was formulated for the Forestry Division so that it may better conserve the species. This technique employs 57 meter resolution imagery and the IDRISI software package. The resulting classification maps areas of habitat versus non-habitat. This technique of low cost, vegetation cover mapping can be used for many natural resource planning and interpretation applications throughout the Caribbean.
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Date Issued: 1997
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15487
Subject Headings: Vegetation mapping--Caribbean Area, Amazon parrots, Vegetation monitoring--Caribbean Area--Remote sensing
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Object Oriented Classification of Australian Pine (Casuarina equisetifolia), an Invasive Exotic Species in South Florida.
Creator: Johnson, Brian A., Xie, Zhixiao, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: Invasive exotic plant species cause a number of problems in native south Florida ecosystems, and a great deal of effort is being put into controlling the populations ofthese species. Control efforts require updated information on the locations of exotic species. This information can be obtained from high resolution remotely sensed data such as digital orthoimagery and LIDAR. Extraction of information from these data sources is often problematic using traditional pixel-based image processing...
Show moreInvasive exotic plant species cause a number of problems in native south Florida ecosystems, and a great deal of effort is being put into controlling the populations ofthese species. Control efforts require updated information on the locations of exotic species. This information can be obtained from high resolution remotely sensed data such as digital orthoimagery and LIDAR. Extraction of information from these data sources is often problematic using traditional pixel-based image processing techniques. An object oriented method of image analysis, however, has been shown to be better suited to this task. One invasive exotic species that has become widespread in south Florida is Casuarina equisetifolia, also known as Australian pine. This study develops a semiautomated procedure for detecting Australian pine over a large, diverse area with high resolution remotely sensed data using the object oriented method of analysis.
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Date Issued: 2007
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000775
Subject Headings: Ecology--Remote sensing, Aerial photogrammetry
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The canals at Cape Sable: A remote sensing perspective.
Creator: Ferik, Catherine Ann., Florida Atlantic University, Kennedy, William J.
Abstract/Description: Florida is home to five known aboriginal canoe canal complexes, most of which have been destroyed by urban development and the ravages of time. These canals were large undertakings suggesting an organized, chiefdom society and sedentary populations. Two of these complexes, Mud Lake and Snake Bight canals, are located on Cape Sable in South Florida. These canals remain fairly intact and are observable in the field and on high resolution aerial photographs. Digital image enhancement and...
Show moreFlorida is home to five known aboriginal canoe canal complexes, most of which have been destroyed by urban development and the ravages of time. These canals were large undertakings suggesting an organized, chiefdom society and sedentary populations. Two of these complexes, Mud Lake and Snake Bight canals, are located on Cape Sable in South Florida. These canals remain fairly intact and are observable in the field and on high resolution aerial photographs. Digital image enhancement and traditional ground truthing methods add valuable information to the study of Cape Sable's canals. Field work was completed with permission from Everglades National Park, study number EVER-00035, permit number EVER-2001-SCI-0035. Carbon-14 dates indicate that both of the canals were constructed at approximately the same time, during the Glades II and III periods, making the Cape Sable canals contemporaneous with Florida's other aboriginal canals. Information about these enigmatic features aids archaeologists in the quest to understand Florida's earliest inhabitants.
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Date Issued: 2003
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13027
Subject Headings: Canals--Sable, Cape (Fla.), Canals--Remote sensing., Sable, Cape (Fla.), Aerial photography in archaeology.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: An analysis of the utility of a normalized difference vegetation index for inventorying urban greenspace.
Creator: Dobbs, Thomas J., Florida Atlantic University, Roberts, Charles
Abstract/Description: Satellite derived vegetative data of urban areas is normally classified into several classes of trees, fields, grass and bare soil using unsupervised and supervised classification methods. Normalized Difference Vegetation Indexes (NDVI) have traditionally been applied to agricultural satellite images to assess the health and maturity of commercial crops. When a NDVI is used to examine urban vegetation, many discrete data values are generated which can be differentiated into meaningful...
Show moreSatellite derived vegetative data of urban areas is normally classified into several classes of trees, fields, grass and bare soil using unsupervised and supervised classification methods. Normalized Difference Vegetation Indexes (NDVI) have traditionally been applied to agricultural satellite images to assess the health and maturity of commercial crops. When a NDVI is used to examine urban vegetation, many discrete data values are generated which can be differentiated into meaningful vegetation classes.
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Date Issued: 1997
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15410
Subject Headings: Greenways, Vegetation mapping--Remote sensing, Land use, Urban, Trees in cities, City planning, Urban forestry
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: From photo interpretation to GIS: Data quality assessments.
Creator: Conaway, Michael D., Florida Atlantic University, Roberts, Charles, Shaw, Shih-Lung, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: Much of the recent research concerning the use of GIS has revolved around data quality. Types of errors inherent in GIS data layers, and also errors that may be produced through the creation and manipulation of data layers have been identified. Definitions of these errors, and observations of how these errors occur have been offered. However, the majority of the research is qualitative. It is known that positional variation is produced through differing interpretations and generalization of...
Show moreMuch of the recent research concerning the use of GIS has revolved around data quality. Types of errors inherent in GIS data layers, and also errors that may be produced through the creation and manipulation of data layers have been identified. Definitions of these errors, and observations of how these errors occur have been offered. However, the majority of the research is qualitative. It is known that positional variation is produced through differing interpretations and generalization of points, lines, and polygons, but it is not known to what extent. This information would be extremely helpful in allowing the user of the information to fine tune the application, based on the accuracy of the data. Providing this type of information is the goal of this research. Quantitative analysis of the results of a series of experiments will give a numerical range of possible positional errors produced through database creation via aerial photo interpretation.
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Date Issued: 1996
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15280
Subject Headings: Geographic information systems, Remote sensing--Data processing, Image processing, Photographic interpretation
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Geomorphology of the southeast Florida inner continental shelf: Interpretations based on remote sensing.
Creator: Khalil, Syed M., Florida Atlantic University, Finkl, Charles W., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: A geomorphological map (1:24,000) was prepared delineating various morphostructures (bottom types) along the northern parts of the inner Atlantic continental shelf off Broward County. About 24 geomorphic units were identified on the basis of landform features, coastal process zones, and sediments. These units were delineated on the basis of bathymetric data, side scan sonar images, sub-bottom profiles from Chirp Sonar obtained during a geotechnical investigation and interpretation of aerial...
Show moreA geomorphological map (1:24,000) was prepared delineating various morphostructures (bottom types) along the northern parts of the inner Atlantic continental shelf off Broward County. About 24 geomorphic units were identified on the basis of landform features, coastal process zones, and sediments. These units were delineated on the basis of bathymetric data, side scan sonar images, sub-bottom profiles from Chirp Sonar obtained during a geotechnical investigation and interpretation of aerial photographs. The major morphostructures in the area are associated with three prominent shore-parallel coral/algal reef tracts. The identified morphostructures were correlated to a geomorphological coastal classification scheme developed by Finkl (1997). Each of these units is genetically related to specific process zones. The intervening sedimentary flats between the coral/algal reefs accumulate calcareous sand bodies, which are potential sources of sand used for beach renourishment. These sand sources can be quantitatively evaluated from the sub bottom profiles after calculating the dimensions of these deposits.
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Date Issued: 1999
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15631
Subject Headings: Geomorphology--Florida--Remote sensing
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: DELINEATING THE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF SEAPORT RELATED LAND USE IN THE BALTIMORE METROPOLITAN AREA USING A REMOTE SENSING BASED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (MARYLAND).
Creator: MORELLI, THOMAS DENNIS., Florida Atlantic University, Latham, James P., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: A land use classification system was designed for use with aerial photography in order to map four functional categories of land use in a study area divided into four quadrants. The data were analyzed for their spatial and functional relatedness to the operations of the Port of Baltimore. Where waterfront transshipment land use was dedicated to steel manufacturing and petroleum storage, nearly all test-category land use was located within two kilometers of the harbor in those quadrants. In...
Show moreA land use classification system was designed for use with aerial photography in order to map four functional categories of land use in a study area divided into four quadrants. The data were analyzed for their spatial and functional relatedness to the operations of the Port of Baltimore. Where waterfront transshipment land use was dedicated to steel manufacturing and petroleum storage, nearly all test-category land use was located within two kilometers of the harbor in those quadrants. In quadrants where it was engaged in the throughshipment of bulk, containerized, and general cargo, test-category land use still occurred primarily within two kilometers of the harbor, but was also distributed in large numbers six kilometers inland of the harbor. The results support the theory that the test-category land use is related to port activity, and that changes in land use patterns are associated with changes in port activity.
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Date Issued: 1986
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/14333
Subject Headings: Harbors--Maryland--Baltimore, Land use--Remote sensing, Aerial photography
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: AUTOMATIC DETECTION OF BUILDING DAMAGE CAUSED BY HURRICANE ON FLORIDA COASTAL AREA FROM AERIAL IMAGES.
Creator: Gyegyiri, Joseph, Su, Hongbo, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Abstract/Description: Rapid response and efficient damage assessment are life-or-death matters in the wake of natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes. These events wreak havoc on infrastructure and properties and, most critically, endanger human lives. The timely and effective allocation of resources during such crises is imperative, necessitating meticulous planning based on the extent of damage incurred. This research presents an approach to automating the damage assessment using pre/post-disaster...
Show moreRapid response and efficient damage assessment are life-or-death matters in the wake of natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes. These events wreak havoc on infrastructure and properties and, most critically, endanger human lives. The timely and effective allocation of resources during such crises is imperative, necessitating meticulous planning based on the extent of damage incurred. This research presents an approach to automating the damage assessment using pre/post-disaster aerial images and computer vision. Recent advancements in disaster response strategies have encouraged researchers to harness the power of satellite and aerial imagery to assess the aftermath. Usually, due to the different characteristics between training datasets and available datasets in times of disasters, retraining the model to improve detection accuracy has been the norm, even though it is time and resource intensive. Our method surpasses conventional solutions and requires no retraining or fine-tuning on disaster-specific data. An existing model was retrained and improved on a diverse building damage dataset and demonstrably generalizes to new disaster scenarios. Having achieved higher performances compared to state of the art models, we determines our models real world applicability by using Hurricane Ian as our potent study grounds.
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Date Issued: 2024
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014427
Subject Headings: Remote-sensing images, Natural disasters, Natural disasters--Data processing
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: High Resolution Population Distribution Estimates for Improved Decision Making, With a Case Study of Sea-Level Rise Vulnerability in Boca Raton, Florida.
Creator: Ziegler, Hannes Moritz, Xie, Zhixiao, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: Planners and managers often rely on coarse population distribution data from the census for addressing various social, economic, and environmental problems. In the analysis of physical vulnerabilities to sea-level rise, census units such as blocks or block groups are coarse relative to the required decision-making application. This study explores the benefits offered from integrating image classification and dasymetric mapping at the household level to provide detailed small area population...
Show morePlanners and managers often rely on coarse population distribution data from the census for addressing various social, economic, and environmental problems. In the analysis of physical vulnerabilities to sea-level rise, census units such as blocks or block groups are coarse relative to the required decision-making application. This study explores the benefits offered from integrating image classification and dasymetric mapping at the household level to provide detailed small area population estimates at the scale of residential buildings. In a case study of Boca Raton, FL, a sea-level rise inundation grid based on mapping methods by NOAA is overlaid on the highly detailed population distribution data to identify vulnerable residences and estimate population displacement. The enhanced spatial detail offered through this method has the potential to better guide targeted strategies for future development, mitigation, and adaptation efforts.
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Date Issued: 2016
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004670
Subject Headings: City planning -- Remote sensing, Community development, Urban -- Florida -- Boca Raton, Geographic information systems, Population -- Geographic information systems -- Florida -- Boca Raton, egional planning -- Florida -- Boca Raton, Spatial analysis (Statistics), Urban geography -- Remote sensing
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Vegetation time series analysis of the Loxahatchee Slough, Palm Beach County, Florida: A GIS incorporating satellite imagery with black and white aerial photography.
Creator: Hohner, Susan Marie., Florida Atlantic University, Roberts, Charles, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: The Loxahatchee Slough is the largest wilderness island refuge existing in Palm Beach County, Florida. Cultural impacts have altered the hydrology of the area. This study provides a database of historical and geographical information regarding the Slough. Aerial photography and satellite imagery from pre- and post-channelization dates are classified according to vegetation ecosystems. GIS analysis is used to compare these diverse data sets. Changes in hydroperiod are examined, using...
Show moreThe Loxahatchee Slough is the largest wilderness island refuge existing in Palm Beach County, Florida. Cultural impacts have altered the hydrology of the area. This study provides a database of historical and geographical information regarding the Slough. Aerial photography and satellite imagery from pre- and post-channelization dates are classified according to vegetation ecosystems. GIS analysis is used to compare these diverse data sets. Changes in hydroperiod are examined, using vegetation as an indicator. Results show a general trend toward dryer hydroperiod vegetation land cover. Since 1979, the Army Corps of Engineers has raised water levels back toward pre-channelization levels, in a portion of the study area known as the Historic Region. Results indicate a positive response, with a net increase of longer hydroperiod vegetation in this region since 1979.
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Date Issued: 1994
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15079
Subject Headings: Vegetation mapping--Florida--Palm Beach County, Plant communities--Remote sensing, Geographic information systems--Remote sensing, Aerial photography in geography--Florida--Palm Beach County, Swamp ecology--Florida--Palm Beach County
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Imaging through ground-level turbulence by fourier telescopy: simulations and preliminary experiments.
Creator: Randunu-Pathirannehelage, Nishantha, Rhodes, William T., Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Abstract/Description: Fourier telescopy imaging is a recently-developed imaging method that relies on active structured-light illumination of the object. Reflected/scattered light is measured by a large “light bucket” detector; processing of the detected signal yields the magnitude and phase of spatial frequency components of the object reflectance or transmittance function. An inverse Fourier transform results in the image. In 2012 a novel method, known as time-average Fourier telescopy (TAFT), was introduced by...
Show moreFourier telescopy imaging is a recently-developed imaging method that relies on active structured-light illumination of the object. Reflected/scattered light is measured by a large “light bucket” detector; processing of the detected signal yields the magnitude and phase of spatial frequency components of the object reflectance or transmittance function. An inverse Fourier transform results in the image. In 2012 a novel method, known as time-average Fourier telescopy (TAFT), was introduced by William T. Rhodes as a means for diffraction-limited imaging through ground-level atmospheric turbulence. This method, which can be applied to long horizontal-path terrestrial imaging, addresses a need that is not solved by the adaptive optics methods being used in astronomical imaging. Field-experiment verification of the TAFT concept requires instrumentation that is not available at Florida Atlantic University. The objective of this doctoral research program is thus to demonstrate, in the absence of full-scale experimentation, the feasibility of time-average Fourier telescopy through (a) the design, construction, and testing of smallscale laboratory instrumentation capable of exploring basic Fourier telescopy datagathering operations, and (b) the development of MATLAB-based software capable of demonstrating the effect of kilometer-scale passage of laser beams through ground-level turbulence in a numerical simulation of TAFT.
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004401, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004401
Subject Headings: Fourier analysis, Fourier integral operators, Interconnects (Integrated circuit technology), Remote sensing, Spread spectrum communications, Wireless sensor networks
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Analysis of nearshore turbidity plumes using passive multispectral archive satellite data: Interactions of tidal current and bathymetry in Broward County, Florida.
Creator: DaPrato, Gary Wayne., Florida Atlantic University, Finkl, Charles W.
Abstract/Description: The interaction of tidal currents and bathymetry in the nearshore environment is investigated as an essential component in the study of cross-shore turbidity plumes. Clay and silt-sized grains which comprise a minor portion of natural beaches and artificial fills are modulated through the water column by nearshore currents. Tidal jets and undertow currents are forcing factors in the expansion of circulation currents that carry fine-grained suspended sediments offshore in large mega-plumes....
Show moreThe interaction of tidal currents and bathymetry in the nearshore environment is investigated as an essential component in the study of cross-shore turbidity plumes. Clay and silt-sized grains which comprise a minor portion of natural beaches and artificial fills are modulated through the water column by nearshore currents. Tidal jets and undertow currents are forcing factors in the expansion of circulation currents that carry fine-grained suspended sediments offshore in large mega-plumes. Enhanced contextual coverages from satellite imagery delineating plume morphology show a strong relationship between bathymetry and tidal current. The forces exerted by tidal action and frictions resisting this movement are examined by incorporating techniques of image processing, modeling, and statistical analysis in a GIS database environment. This analysis examines an experimental anisotropic cost distance algorithm that is utilized in the modeling of turbidity plumes to better understand the dispersion of suspended sediments in coastal Broward County.
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Date Issued: 1995
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15154
Subject Headings: Remote sensing--Florida--Broward County, Coastal zone management--Florida--Broward County, Marine sediments--Florida, Turbidity currents
Format: Document (PDF)

FAU Theses and Dissertations (47)	+ -
FAU Graduate Student Research (1)	+ -
HBOI Faculty Contributions (1)	+ -

Remote sensing (21)	+ -
Geographic information systems (6)	+ -
Image processing (4)	+ -
Remote-sensing images (4)	+ -
Spatial analysis (Statistics) (4)	+ -

Aerial photogrammetry (3)	+ -
Ecology--Remote sensing (3)	+ -
Geographic information systems. (3)	+ -
Image analysis (3)	+ -
Machine learning (3)	+ -
Digital techniques (2)	+ -
Everglades National Park (Fla.)--Environmental conditions. (2)	+ -
Imaging systems (2)	+ -
Marine ecology (2)	+ -
Remote sensing. (2)	+ -
Vegetation mapping--Remote sensing (2)	+ -
Aerial photogrammetry--Data processing (1)	+ -
Aerial photogrammetry--Florida (1)	+ -
Aerial photography (1)	+ -
Aerial photography in archaeology. (1)	+ -
Aerial photography in forestry (1)	+ -
Aerial photography in geography--Florida--Palm Beach County (1)	+ -
African Americans, Violence against. (1)	+ -
Amazon parrots (1)	+ -
Anthropogenic effects on nature (1)	+ -
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Autonomous underwater vehicles (1)	+ -
Canals--Remote sensing. (1)	+ -
Canals--Sable, Cape (Fla.) (1)	+ -
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Florida (4)	+ -
Casuarina--Florida (1)	+ -
Continental shelf--Florida (1)	+ -
Environmental mapping--Florida (1)	+ -
Evergaldes (1)	+ -

Florida Bay (1)	+ -
Florida Reef Tract (1)	+ -
Geomorphological mapping--Florida--Broward County (1)	+ -
Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area (Fla.) (1)	+ -
United States (1)	+ -
Whitewater Bay (1)	+ -
Whitewater Bay (Fla.) (1)	+ -

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