The review “On the Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems for Environmental Monitoring” by HARMONIOUS Team is the most cited paper of Remote Sensing MDPI in the last 36 months.
Most cited paper of Remote Sensing
Author: Salvatore Manfreda
HARMONIOUS deliverables of 2020
This year, COST Action – HARMONIOUS members produced a quite impressive number of results working online. Imagine what we could do without restrictions!
See the following list:
1. Use of UAVs with the simplified “triangle” technique https://lnkd.in/dFQftqY
2. Identifying the optimal spatial distribution of tracers https://lnkd.in/dyEcmzq
3. A geostatistical approach to map near-surface soil moisture https://lnkd.in/dymZzHB
4. Refining image-velocimetry performances for streamflow monitoring https://lnkd.in/dyQzvyc
5. Metrics for the quantification of seeding characteristics https://lnkd.in/gvMBe4c
6. Harmonisation of image velocimetry techniques for river surface velocity observations https://lnkd.in/d-ygHpY
7. An integrative information aqueduct to close the gaps in water observations https://lnkd.in/dfTHZcG
8. Practical guidance for UAS-based environmental mapping https://lnkd.in/dAAuFmf
9. Long-term soil moisture observations over Tibetan Plateau https://lnkd.in/dguKMCE
10. Image velocimetry techniques under low flow conditions https://lnkd.in/dGRwY9Y
#hydrology #environmentalmonitoring #remotesensing #UAS #rivermonitoring
Merry Christmas and Happy 2021
I would like to wish the merriest of Christmas to all HydroLAB members and friends, and I wish you happiness and prosperity in the year ahead.
Call for Papers on Advances in Hydrological Monitoring with UASs
We are promoting a new research topic entitled Advances in Hydrological Monitoring with Unmanned Aerial Systems in Frontiers in Remote Sensing.
FRONTIERS IN REMOTE SENSING
Abstract Submission by March 2021
Manuscript Submission by July 2021
This Research Topic, we would like to promote research which explores the contribution that UASs can provide on hydrological observations, understanding of hydraulic and hydrological processes and development of modelling approaches. More specifically, topics of interests are the following:
• Development of new sensors and Unmanned Aerial System configurations devoted to hydrological monitoring;
• Definition of guidelines of the best-practices to improve the overall quality of the final products promoting a consistent use of UASs in hydrology;
• Development of new algorithms able to exploit high resolution observations;
• Development of new methodologies to fill the gap between satellite observation and field data;
• Coupled application of hydrological models exploiting Unmanned Aerial System observations; and
• Linking the Unmanned Aerial System monitoring of hydrological processes to its novel applications in agricultural management, water resources management, early warning systems etc.
Keywords: UAS, Environmental Monitoring, Hydrology, Rivers, Vegetation.
Exploring the use of UAVs with the simplified ‘triangle’ technique for soil water content and evaporative fraction retrievals in a Mediterranean setting
Information acquired from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is frequently used nowadays in a variety of disciplines and research fields. The present study explores for the first time the combined use of UAVs with a newly proposed technique for estimating evaporative fraction (EF) and surface soil moisture (SSM). The investigation is performed in a typical Mediterranean setting, a citrus field with flat topography divided in two plots with different irrigation schemes, in Sicily, Italy, at which ground data acquired during an extensive field campaign in July 2019. Reasonable estimates of both EF and surface wetness were produced, with patterns in agreement to vegetation cover fragmentation, topography, and other site-specific characteristics. Validation shows average error of 0.053 for EF and of 0.040 cm3 cm−3 for SSM. The results are comparable or better to those reported in analogous studies performed in similar areas. This implies that the investigated approach performs well under the semi-arid conditions characterizing the experimental set up. To our knowledge, this study represents the first evaluation of the combined use of the ‘simplified triangle’ with very high-resolution UAV imagery. As such, the findings are of significance regarding the potential future use of the ‘simplified triangle’ approach particularly with very fine resolution imagery such as that provided by UAV for mapping and monitoring EF and SSM in agricultural and natural ecosystems.
Figure: Maps of EF (a) and SSM (b) computed from the ‘simplified triangle’ implementation using the data retrieved with UAV.
How to cite: Petropoulos, G.P., A. Maltese, T. N. Carlson, G. Provenzano, A. Pavlides, G. Ciraolo, D. Hristopulos, F. Capodici, C. Chalkias, G. Dardanelli, S. Manfreda, Exploring the use of UAVs with the simplified “triangle” technique for Soil Water Content and Evaporative Fraction retrievals in a Mediterranean setting, International Journal of Remote Sensing, VOL. 42, NO. 5, 1623–1642, (doi: 10.1080/01431161.2020.1841319) 2021. [pdf]
Il contributo dell’idrologia tecnica per una società più resiliente ai fenomeni naturali
https://meet.google.com/qms-jtbj-zjo
10:00 – 10:20 – I sistemi di allertamento nazionali e regionali: questioni aperte – Fausto Guzzetti (Dirigente Dipartimento Protezione Civile)
10:20 – 10:40 – Impatti e pressioni legati alla gestione delle risorse idriche sui corpi idrici naturali – Maurizio Giugni (Commissario straordinario per la depurazione delle acque)
10:40 – 11:00 – Revisione e aggiornamento delle mappe della pericolosità e del rischio di alluvione e nuovi piani di gestione – Barbara Lastoria (Responsabile Sezione Attuazione Direttiva Acque e Alluvioni ISPRA)
11:00 – 11:20 – Pratiche di gestione delle risorse idriche – Paolo Botti (Direttore del Servizio tutela e gestione delle risorse idriche, vigilanza sui servizi idrici e gestione della siccità – Regione Sardegna)
Optimal spatial distribution of tracers for velocimetry applications
River monitoring is of particular interest as a society that faces increasingly complex water management issues. Emerging technologies have contributed to opening new avenues for improving our monitoring capabilities but have also generated new challenges for the harmonised use of devices and algorithms. In this context, optical-sensing techniques for stream surface flow velocities are strongly influenced by tracer characteristics such as seeding density and their spatial distribution. Therefore, a principal research goal is the identification of how these properties affect the accuracy of such methods. To this aim, numerical simulations were performed to consider different levels of tracer clustering, particle colour (in terms of greyscale intensity), seeding density, and background noise. Two widely used image-velocimetry algorithms were adopted: (i) particle-tracking velocimetry (PTV) and (ii) particle image velocimetry (PIV). A descriptor of the seeding characteristics (based on seeding density and tracer clustering) was introduced based on a newly developed metric called the Seeding Distribution Index (SDI). This index can be approximated and used in practice as SDI=ν0.1/(ρ/ρcν1), where ν, ρ, and ρcν1 are the spatial-clustering level, the seeding density, and the reference seeding density at ν=1, respectively. A reduction in image-velocimetry errors was systematically observed for lower values of the SDI; therefore, the optimal frame window (i.e. a subset of the video image sequence) was defined as the one that minimises the SDI. In addition to numerical analyses, a field case study on the Basento river (located in southern Italy) was considered as a proof of concept of the proposed framework. Field results corroborated numerical findings, and error reductions of about 15.9 % and 16.1 % were calculated – using PTV and PIV, respectively – by employing the optimal frame window.
How to cite: Pizarro, A., S.F. Dal Sasso, M. Perks and S. Manfreda, Identifying the optimal spatial distribution of tracers for optical sensing of stream surface flow, Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 24, 5173–5185, (10.5194/hess-24-5173-2020) 2020. [pdf]
Advances in Image Velocimetry for Sensing River Flows
This Research Topic seeks to publish articles that demonstrate the utility of image velocimetry techniques for sensing the fluvial environment; that advance the development of image-based techniques; and inform deployment practices for the sensing of river flow processes. Of particular interest are research articles and commentaries where image-based techniques have:
• Advanced fundamental understanding of fluvial processes (e.g. flood flow dynamics)
• Been used as the basis for predictions of fluvial processes (e.g. bank erosion, sediment transport)
• Led to the advancement of industrial, or management practices (e.g. river flow quantification, eco-hydraulic assessments, hazard assessment, assessment of engineering structure performance).
In addition, research articles that report technical advances are also welcomed. These may include, but are not limited to:
• New approaches for image-based sensing of river flows
• Assessments of the applicability and accuracy of existing workflows and techniques
• Advancement of existing image velocimetry techniques
• Methodological refinements and recommendations for best practice
Advances in Large Scale Flood Monitoring and Detection
Climate change and landuse transformations have induced an increased flood risk worldwide. These phenomena are impacting dramatically on ordinary life and economy. Research and technology offer new strategy to quantify and predict such phenomena and also to mitigate the impact of flooding. In particular, the growing computational power is offering new strategies for a more detailed description of the flooding over large scales. This book offers an overview of the most recent outcomes of the research on this argument.
Premi di Laurea e Dottorato
Il Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Edile e Ambientale (DICEA) dell’Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II ha recentemente bandito 45 borse di studio per giovani studenti neolaureati e dottori di ricerca che si sono particolarmente distinti per il loro percorso di studi tra quelli laureati negli anni accademici 2017/2018 e 2018/2019 in uno dei seguenti Corsi di Studio Magistrale o Specialistico: Ingegneria dei Sistemi Idraulici e di Trasporto; Ingegneria per l’Ambiente e il Territorio; Ingegneria Edile; Ingegnera Edile-Architettura. Le commissioni di dipartimento hanno selezionato 40 studenti dei corsi di laurea magistrale per il brillante percorso di studi e 5 dottori di ricerca per i risultati di ricerca conseguiti.
Desideriamo menzionare ciascuno dei premiati per questo prestigioso riconoscimento e fargli i migliori auguri per il loro futuro professionale. I premiati, per le lauree magistrali, sono stati: Luigi AUDINO, Angelo AVINO, Ciro BUONOCORE, Gianluigi CIASULLO, Francesco D’AULISIO GARIGLIOTA, Federica DE CHIARA, Luigi DE SIMONE, Salvatore DELLE CAVE, Nicola DI COSTANZO, Marco GIUGLIANO, Flavia GUARRACINO, Sara IANNITTI, Francesco LANZILLO, Carlo Maria MALAFRONTE, Federico MINELLI, Raffaele NAPOLITANO, Cristina ORETO, Roberta PALMIERO, Dina PIRONE, Fabiana RUSSO, Antonio SIESTO, Floriana SIMONELLI, Sara TUOZZO, Luigi VALENTINO, Francesca ANGELLOTTO, Luigi AUDINO, Francesco D’AUSILIO GARIGLIOTTA, Luigi DE SIMONE, Salvatore DELLE CAVE, Valeria GUERRIERO, Nunzia IANUARIO, Francesco LANZILLO, Federico MINELLI, Ennio MOLISSE, Raffaele NATALE, Francesca Pia NIESPOLO, Danila Nicole PAGLIUCA, Maria Rella RICCARDI, Allegra ROMANO, Lucia RUSSO. I Premi di Dottorato sono stati assegnati a: Marilisa BOTTE, Fiore TINESSA, Vincenzo LUONGO, Gerardo CAROPPI e Maria Rosa TREMITERRA.
