THIRD REMOTE SENSING STUDENT CONFERENCE 2012

ABSTRACT BOOK

1

2102בחישה מרחוק, 3-כנס הסטודנטים ה תכנית

2102במאי 2יום ד' ,

רישום וכיבוד קל 01:31-00:11

דברי פתיחהוברכות 00:11-00:31

: חישה מרחוק של קרקע )יו"ר: שמרית ממן(0מושב 00:31-02:21

Quantitative results from a novel approach to remote sensing of soil moisture content in a

micro-profile section under various precipitation energies

Alon Eliran , Tel-Aviv University

Some implications for soil moisture retrieval by remote sensing products in the Presence of soil

surface

Shai Sela, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Assessing Ecosystem Function by Soil Quality and NPP with Hyperspectral Remote Sensing in

Desertified Drylands, Israel

Tarin Paz-Kagan, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research.

Identifying and Characterizing Biological Soil Crusts Using LWIR Spectroscopy and Remote

Sensing: An Innovative Technique for Mapping the Extent and Distribution of Biological Soil

Crusts in the Northern Negev

Offer Rozenstein, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research.

הפסקת ארוחת צהריים 02:21-03:21

)יו"ר: אלון אלירן(: חישה מרחוק של חקלאות מדייקת 2מושב 03:21-02:21

מיפוי מצב מים בכותנה באמצעות צילומים תרמיים מוטסים: אפיון רפרנס

,אורי רוזנברג מכוון וולקני

Estimating olive leaf mineral concentration using VIS-NIR spectral reflectance

Rotbart Nativ, ARO, Volcani Center

2

Spectral tools for use in the precision agriculture of field crops

Herrmann Ittai, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research.

Hyperspectral detection of pest stress in greenhouse crops

Michael Bernstein, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research.

הפסקת קפה 02:21-00:11

: חישה מרחוק של אקלים )יו"ר: מיכאל דורמן(3מושב 00:11-01:01

Sedimentlogial applications of spectroscopic sand redness intensity in inland dune field

Joel Roskin, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Evidence for climate change in Central Asia; an OSL and remote sensing study of the sand seas

Shimrit Maman, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Intrusion of coastal waters into the pelagic eastern Mediterranean: satellite and in situ based

characterization

Efrati Shai, University of Haifa

Exploring the ‘Cloud-free’ Equatorial Pacific Corridor

Yaniv Tubul, Weizmann Institute of Science

טיול רגלי וארוחת שטח אקסקלוסיבית 01:31-22:11

3

2102במאי 3יום ה',

ספקטראלית )יו"ר: יניב טובול(-היפר: חישה מרחוק 2מושב 0:31-00:31

Fully Constrained Spectral Unmixing using Gradient Descent Optimization and implementation

Code Vectorization

Fadi Kizel, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology

Considerations in change detection for hyperspectral data

Simon Adar, Tel Aviv University

יצירת מודל גובה מתוך נתוני חישה מרחוק היפרספקטרליים לצורך מיפוי תמאתי של כסות הקרקע

,ירון עוגן אביב-אוניברסיטת תל

Detecting and Monitoring Soil Salinity in Agricultural Lands Using Combined Hyperspectral Data

and Chemical Measurements

Livne Ido, Tel Aviv University

Ground level analysis and classification of coral reef using a hyperspectral camera

Tamir Caras, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research.

הפסקת קפה 00:31-00:22

: הרצאות אורח )יו"ר: עופר רוזנשטין(2מושב 00:22-03:11

VIS-NIR-SWIRבתחומי ASDשיטות כיול של ספקטרורדיומטר

אדם דביר, יארד פתרונות חישה

AISA OWL - Targets Invisible to the Human Eye - Next Gen Chemical Imager Reveals

Camouflaged and Hidden objects

Jonathan Burgheimer , Meteo-tech Company

אוטומציה של תהליכי עיבוד ספקטרלי בתעשייה אווירית

Tal Feingersh, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)

4

ארוחת צהריים ותצוגת מכשירים 03:11-02:31

: מודלים מרחביים בחישה מרחוק )יו"ר: איתי הרמן(0מושב 02:31-00:11

ספקטראלית בתחום התרמי-בחישה מרחוק היפרחקר הצמחייה

ירושלים -טל כץ, האוניברסיטה העברית

The effect of land cover changes (LCCs) on rainfall-runoff relation at a coastal river basin:

Yarkon-Ayalon case study

Noa Ohana, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research.

Spatial interpolation of daily climatic data using geo-statistical methods in R

Michael Dorman, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Remote Sensing of Shrub lands’ Patterns and their relationships with biomass along semi-arid

climatic gradient

Lev Karnibad, Technion

סיכום ופיזור 00:11-00:31

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Quantitative results from a novel approach to remote sensing of soil moisture

content in a micro-profile section under various precipitation energies

Alon Eliran1, Naftaly Goldshlger 2, Asher Yahalom3, Menachem Agassi 2 and Eyal Ben-Dor4

(1)Porter School of Environmental Studies, Tel-Aviv University

(2) Soil Erosion Research Station, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

(3) Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Ariel University Center of Samaria

(4) Remote Sensing Laboratory, Department of Geography and Human Environment, Tel Aviv University

Abstract

We present a first low-cost measurement of the micro-profile of soil moisture-content in the upper root

zone. The method is based on millimeter waves, providing improved resolution of the sub-surface

concurrent with surface mapping. Development and use of the tools described herein will make it easier

to understand processes governing the soil-water interface, such as crust.

Point-by-point soil sampling within a field is time-consuming and expensive. Hyperspectral remote

sensing in the VIS-NIR-SWIR range (0.4-2.5 μm) is only capable of surface sensing. Ground-penetrating

radar (GPR), operating in the range 10 MHz to 5 GHz, penetrates loess soil, for example, to a depth of a

up to 30 m; however, its resolution at root zone tends to be limited to about 5 to 10cm. Millimeter

waves offer resolution on the order of millimeters and penetration depths on the order of centimeters,

thus providing the optimal trade-off between the two parameters.

Backscattering of millimeter waves from two soils with different levels of moisture content was

measured at 94 GHz. The results show soil-moisture content to be correlated with the standard

deviation of the angular variation of the backscattering coefficient of millimeter-wave radiation. The

detection depth can be extended with the use of higher incident power from 10 cm currently to include

the entire root zone. In the horizontal dimension, the addition of the millimeter-wave technique to

existing ones should enable focusing on small regions of interest on the order of 1 m2.

6

Some implications for soil moisture retrieval by remote sensing products in the

presence of soil surface sealing

Shai Sela1, Tal Svoray1, Shmuel Assouline2

(1) Dept. of Geography and Environmental Development, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev,

ISRAEL;

(2) Dept. of Environmental Physics and Irrigation, A.R.O -Volcani Center, ISRAEL

Abstract

L band (21 cm, 1.4 GHz) microwave radiometry has a high sensitivity to soil moisture and is a promising

method to estimate it accurately over large scale, specifically for the near surface depth of 0-2 cm.

Advanced technology have led to two new L band based soil moisture estimation missions– SMOS (ESA,

launched in 2009) and SMAP (NASA, expected to be launched at 2014). A critical phase in the robustness

of the usage of these new sensors lies in proper calibration and validation, done generally against field

sampling. The sampling scheme needs to be based on sites which are representative of the average

area soil moisture value. Therefore, many studies have focused on the temporal stability of soil moisture

(TS) in different climatic regions. In dry climates, soil moisture dynamics are significantly affected by the

formation of surface seals, shown in previous studies to significantly reduce evaporation fluxes from the

soil. During drying periods the seal layer imposes a very dry layer on top of a higher saturation soil

profile, leading to an open research gap question whether the seal layer strengthens or weakens

temporal stability of top soil water content at the hill slope scale. To address this gap a typical hill slope

(0.115 km²) was chosen at the LTER Lehavim site in the south of Israel (31020' N, 34045' E) offering

different aspects and a classic geomorphologic banding. The mean annual rainfall is 290 mm, the soils

are brown lithosols and arid brown loess and the dominant rock formations are Eocenean limestone and

chalk with patches of calcrete. The vegetation is characterized by scattered dwarf shrubs (dominant

species Sarcopoterium spinosum) and patches of herbaceous vegetation, mostly annuals, are spread

between rocks and dwarf shrubs. An extensive spatial database of soil hydraulic and environmental

parameters was measured in the field and interpolated to continuous maps using geostatistical

techniques and physically based modeling. To explore the effect of soil surface sealing, Mualem and

Assouline (1989) model describing the change in hydraulic parameters resulting from soil seal formation

was applied. This spatio-temporal database was used to characterize 8240 spatial cells (3X3m2) serving

as an input to numeric model (Hydrus 1D) solving the flow equations to predict soil water content at all

temporal scales. Following intense verification and accounting for spatial autocorrelation effects, the

model was used to track down explicitly the evolution of top soil TS during different climatic scenarios.

The results indicate no significant difference in the first 48 hours following precipitation event. However

once the soil enters longer drying periods, the seal layer reduces water content variability and improves

its temporal stability, an effect augmented with time.

7

Assessing Ecosystem Function by Soil Quality and NPP with Hyperspectral

Remote Sensing in Desertified Drylands, Israel

Paz-Kagan, T.1, Karnieli, A.1, Shachak, M.1, Zaady E2.

(1) Paz-Kagan, T.; Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

(2) Gilat Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization, M.P.Negev, 85280, Israel.

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the functional state of managed semi-arid ecosystems by

hyperspectral remote sensing (HSR) using soil quality, net primary productivity (NPP). The managed

ecosystems includes: rain-fed afforestation, water harvesting afforestation and intensive and traditional

grazing systems in the northern Negev Israel.

We monitored soil quality, NPP and landscape patterning on a small spatial scale by HSR and common

laboratory and field methods. Based on spectral data that show a significant capability to predict soil

properties and primary productivity using the VNIRA (0.4-2.5 µm) strategy, we upscale the data analysis

to large area.

We adapted the assessment of soil quality as proposed by Cornel University. The soil quality variables

that were tested include biological, chemical, and physical indicators (total of 14 indicators). The

vegetation variables that were tested as indicators for ecosystem state were: above ground biomass,

plant cover and density.

As to the relationships between field and HSR high correlation (R2=0.89) was found between in-situ

biomass measurements and spectroscopic-derived NDVI. Use hyperspectral spectroscopy to evaluation

landscape pattern by classification methods, such as, patch cover, patch density, and patch size

distribution, revealed a significant difference between land-uses.

The soil assessment provides a comprehensive tool to perform critical environmental function at

relatively modest cost and help target management. The use of HSR to evaluate soil indicators shows a

promising tool for several soil quality indicators and with both cost and statistical power advantages.

8

Identifying and Characterizing Biological Soil Crusts Using LWIRS spectroscopy

and Remote Sensing: An Innovative Technique for Mapping the Extent and

Distribution of Biological Soil Crusts in the Northern Negev

Offer Rozenstein1 , Arnon Karnieli1

(1) The Remote Sensing Laboratory, Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research ,Ben-Gurion

University

Abstract

Biological soil crusts (BSCs) cover vast regions in drylands worldwide. BSCs consist of soil granules and

various microphytic communities including cyanobacteria, algae, fungi, mosses, and lichens. Situated at

the atmosphere-soil boundary, BSCs play an important role in drylands ecosystems, including soil

stabilization, prevention of wind and water erosion, carbon and nitrogen fixation, and effect plant

germination and establishment. Previous studies have demonstrated that BSCs possess unique spectral

characteristics in the VIS-NIR-SWIR spectral regions. This enables the use of remote sensing to map

their distribution in relations to microphytic vegetation and bare soil. While those previous studies

employed reflectance spectroscopy to this end, we will demonstrate that this could also be achieved

using hyperspectral TIR emissivity in the LWIR spectral region. This innovative technology enables data

collection even when there is not enough radiation in other spectral regions (for instance, at night, or

under cloud cover).

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רפרנס אפיוןמיפוי מצב מים בכותנה באמצעות צילומים תרמיים מוטסים:

.1סרנגה ויהושע 2אלחנתי ויקטור, 2כהן יפית, 2,1רוזנברג אורי

וולקני מרכז, החקלאי המחקר מינהל, חקלאית להנדסה המכון (1)

רחובות, לחקלאות הפקולטה, בחקלאות וגנטיקה הצמח למדעי המכון (2)

ידי על היבול שיפור או/ ו בהוצאות חיסכון ידי על הכותנה גידול רווחיות את לשפר הינה המוצע המחקר של הכללית מטרתו

השפעת בחינת וכוללת שדה עבודת על מבוססת המחקר תוכנית. מוטסים תרמיים צילומים באמצעות השקיה בקרת יישום

בעלה מים פוטנציאל ולמיפוי להערכת מודל ותוקף פותח קודמים במחקרים. היבול על מרחוק חישה באמצעות השקיה בקרת

שלושה עדיין חסרים, השקיה בבקרת זו גישה יישום לצורך. ומוטסים קרקעיים תרמיים צילומים באמצעות כותנה בצמחי( ע"פמ(

יעילות ובחינת המים מצב של המרחבית השונות על בהסתמך השקיה להכוונת מדדים פיתוח, רפרנס איפיון: חיוניים רכיבים

. זו בצורה ההשקיה

העלווה טמפרטורת על המתבסס( CWSI( התרמי העקה מדד להגדרת הביא הצמח של המים למצב טמפרטורה בין הקשר

תנאים בהינתן ביותר הנמוכה הטמפרטורה את המבטא רפרנס על מתבסס העקה מדד חישוב. מטאורולוגיים ותנאים

רפרנס(, 4 עדיפות( מלאכותי רפרנס: רפרנסים סוגי ארבעה נבחנו, הראשונה המחקר שנת במסגרת. מסויימים מטאורולוגיים

תרמיים צילומים 3 בוצעו אותם לבחון מנת על(. 1 עדיפות( סטטיסטי ורפרנס( 2 עדיפות( צמחי רפרנס(, 3 עדיפות( תיאורטי

( עונה אורכי ושני השקיה טיפולי שני, זנים שני: גורמי תלת ניסוי הוצב בה( דרום בבני ניסוי חלקת מעל שונים במועדים מוטסים

בחלקת טיפול מכל חזרות במספר צמחים במספר ע"פמ נמדדו לצילומים במקביל(. וביבנה ברבדים( מסחריות חלקות ומעל

ולאחר השונים הרפרנסים על בהתבסס העקה מדד חושב מועד מכל חזרה לכל. מסחריות מחלקות צמחים במספר וכן הניסוי

לרפרנס עדיפות על מצביע הזו השנה של תוצאות ניתוח. האחרונות בשנים שפותח במודל שימוש תוך ע"פמ חושב מכן

משנת הנתונים ניתוח סיכום יוצג בהרצאה. מאמץ תוספת מהחקלאי מצריך שאיננו מכיוון המועדף הרפרנס גם שהינו הסטטיסטי

ייעול באמצעות הכותנה גידול רווחיות לשיפור לתרום צפויות המחקר תוצאות. הבאות לעונות המחקר תוכנית וכן זו מחקר

. במים השימוש

10

Estimating olive leaf mineral concentration using VIS-NIR spectral reflectance

Rotbart Nativ1 ; Schmilovitch Zeev1 ; Yermiyahu Uri 2 ; Cohen Yafit1; Alchanatis Victor1

(1) Institute of Agricultural Engineering, ARO, the Volcani Center

(2) Gilat Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization, M.P.Negev, 85280, Israel

Abstract

The growing recognition of the health characteristics of olive (Olea eurpaea) oil hassled to an increase in

its global consumption. Recent modernization of olive cultivation has introduced and promoted densely

planted orchards that are irrigated via systems that also utilized for nutrient application. Balanced

mineral nutrition is being used in order to achieve high quality and yields and it is considered as

economic and environmental necessity. Excessive fertilization has negative effects on plants and

environment such as soil and ground water pollution. That, added to the rising cost of fertilizers,

emphasizes the need for nutrient monitoring in olive trees. Presently, fertilization status inspection is

based on laboratory chemical analysis of leaf samples. These analyses are expensive and time

consuming and therefore are conducted annually if at all.

Spectral sensing in the visible and near infrared spectrum (400 to 2500 nm) is commonly used for

estimation of fruit constituents like sugar, oil content leaf nutrient content in several crops. The

objective of the present research was to explore the prospect of spectroscopy in the visible and near

near‐infrared spectrum )400 to 2500 nm) for estimating nutrients in olive leaves as a tool for efficient

management of fertilization in olive orchards. Optical and spectral layout was set to measure reflectance

spectra of fresh intact leaves, fresh ground leaves and dry ground leaf powder. The setup was

assembled of spectrometer, halogen light source and optic fibers.

Olive samples (cv. Barnea) were taken from a fertilization experiment with a wide range of nutrient

levels. Olives were grown in containers filled with perlite substrate at the Gilat Research Center, Israel.

The 20 treatments included eight levels of N ranging from 5 to 202 ppm, seven levels of P ranging from

0.2 to 20ppm and seven levels of K ranging from 10 to 200 ppm. Spectral reflectance of leaf samples was

measured every two months between 2007 and 2010. Furthermore, samples of dehydrated ground

leaves (dry powder) were scanned and samples of ground fresh leaves were measured as well.

Reflectance measurements were taken by using three spectrometers: USB-2000-for VISNIR (350-1000

nm), LIGA for NIR-SWIR (850-1888 nm) and Luminar 5030 (1100-2500 nm). Nitrogen, potassium and

phosphorus content of the same samples were measured analytically as reference for spectral analysis.

Spectral analysis was conducted by means of partial least square regression (PLSR). Mathematical pre-

treatment for the spectra were examined by the PLSR for R (reflectance), first derivative

D1R,absorbance log (1/R), first derivative of absorbance D1 (log (1/R)) and second derivative of

absorbance D2 (log (1/R)). Nitrogen concentration was found to best be estimated in mode of dried

mixed ground leaves by Luminar 5030spectrometer with r2 of 0.91, RMSECV of 0.11% and RPD of 3.44

for log (1/R).

11

Phosphorus concentration was found to best be estimated in mode of dried mixed ground leaves by USB

2000 spectrometer with R2 of 0.49, RMSECV of 0.03% and RPD of 1.55 for D1 (log (1/R)). Potassium

concentration was found to best be estimated in mode of dried mixed ground leaves by Luminar 5030

spectrometer with R2 of 0.48, RMSECV of 0.14% and RPD of 1.82 for D1 (log (1/R)). Categories in

according to N concentration in dry leaf powder was evaluated by confusion matrix and Cohen’s Kappa

test (K). Total precision was 83% with K=0.745 (regarded as significant). Phosphorus evaluation model

correlated with chemical analysis by 88% and with K=0.478. Comparison between experimental results

concluded that mineral evaluation performances by models were improved by grinding the leaves. Best

results were produced by mathematical pre-processing of absorbance- log (1/R) and its derivatives.

In conclusion, VIS-NIR spectroscopy was found to be useful for the evaluation of minerals in olive

leaves. A strong connection between spectral reflectance and N concentration was found while partial

correlations were indicated for P and K. This connectionism proposed as foundation for an effective

mineral concentration measuring method. In this research framework, a protocol for evaluation of N, P

and K concentrations using a laboratory spectral analysis was written. The ability to measure N, P and K

concentrations will enable continues fertilization monitoring. Furthermore, this ability might be used to

attain the spatial variance of N, P and K in olive orchards. VIS-NIR spectrometer measurements can be

conducted on many samples and for several minerals simultaneously. Therefore it is an appropriate

solution for fertilization diagnosis which integrates with olive growing precision agriculture.

12

Spectral tools for use in the precision agriculture of field crops

Herrman Ittai1, Karnieli Arnon1, and Bonfil David J2.

(1) The Remote Sensing Laboratory, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research,Ben-Gurion

University of the Negev, 84990, Israel

(2) Gilat Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization, M.P.Negev, 85280, Israel

Abstract

Enhancing crop productivity and reducing environmental impacts are goals of modern farmers. The

objective of this study is to present spectral tools for: (1) assessing the nitrogen content (N) of potato

plants; (2) assessing the Leaf Area Index (LAI) of potato and wheat plants; and (3) detecting weeds in

wheat fields. Ground level spectral data were obtained for wheat and potatoes in experimental plots at

the Gilat research center and Kibbutz Ruhama in Israel. N was obtained by sampling the aboveground

biomass of potato plants, following the spectral measurements. The LAI was measured in potato and

wheat fields in relation to the spectral measurements. The fractional coverage of weeds and wheat was

assessed in wheat fields in relation to the spectral measurements. Spectral data were resample using

Vegetation and Environment monitoring on a new Micro-Satellite (VENµS) and Sentinel-2 band settings

as well as using 5 nm continuous spectra in the range of 400-2400 µm. The main conclusions are that:

(1) combining nitrogen and chlorophyll absorption bands amplifies the ability to predict N and the

sensitivity to it; (2) data obtained by VENµS and Sentinel-2 band settings can predict LAI as accurately as

continuous spectra; and (3) weeds can be spectrally separated from wheat.

13

Hyperspectral detection of pest stress in greenhouse crops

Michael Bernstein1 and Karnieli Arnon1

(1) The Remote Sensing Laboratory, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion

University of the Negev, 84990, Israel

E-mail: micbern@gmail.com

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to utilize precision agriculture that uses advanced technology of

spectroscopy and provide the supervisor with an index based on reflected wavelengths best expressing

vegetation damaged by pests.

14

Sedimentological application of spectroscopy sand redness intensity in inland

dune fields

Joel Roskin1, Haim Tsoar1, Dan G. Blumberg, Naomi Porat2, OferRozenstein3

(1) Dept. of Geography and Environmental Development, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel

Abstract

The redness index (RI) (RI = R2/(B*G3) of aeolian sand has been shown to be a promising qualitative

spectroscopic method to define sand grain redness intensity, which reflects the extent of iron-oxide

quartz grain coatings(1,2). This study investigates the relationship between spectroscopic and remotely

sensed redness intensity of sands to dune stratigraphy, surface features, sand transport and optically

stimulated luminescence (OSL) based depositional ages. The research is based on sand samples taken

northern Sinai, exposed and fully-drilled vegetated linear dunes in the northwestern Negev dune field

and at a Natufian site.

No correlation was found between RI intensity (i.e., redness) and the depositional age of the sand. The

relatively uniform RI values along most of the dune section suggest that sand grain coating

development, and consequent reification, have probably been minimal since the Late Pleistocene. Based

on analyses of northern Sinai sand samples, remote sensing, and previous studies, we suggest that the

attributes of the sand grain RI have been inherited from upwind sources. We propose that for the Sinai-

Negev erg, the sand grain coatings are early diagenetic features that have been similarly red since their

suggested aeolian departure from the middle and upper Nile Delta.

While further work is necessary to understand the sand-grain rubification process the redness index is

found to be complementary sediment logical trait of aeolian sand can be helpful for the study of inland

and coastal aeolian sand bodies.

15

Evidence for climate change in Central Asia; an OSL and remote sensing study of

the sand seas

Shimrit Maman1, Haim Tsoar1 and Dan G. Blumberg1

(1) Dept. of Geography and Environmental Development, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel

Abstract

Ergs are large, relatively flat areas of deserts covered by wind-swept sand and with varying degrees of

vegetation cover. Central Asian ergs extend from Turkmenistan to the Syr-Darya River in Kazakhstan;

crossed by the Amu-Darya River, to the north and south of which lie Kyzyl-Kum and Kara-Kum,

respectively. Despite its vastness, this area is understudied, moreover, little information was published

regarding the neither sands stabilization processes nor timings. Though OSL dating is widely used no

data has been published on luminescence dating of this region.

This research focuses on identifying and mapping the ergs of Central Asia and analyzing the climate

factors that set the dunes in motion and that later stabilized them. A variety of space borne imagery

with varying spectral and spatial resolutions was used. These images provide the basis for mapping sand

distribution, dune forms, and vegetation cover. Wilson (1973) defined these ergs as active based on

precipitation. Our results show that they are mostly stabilized, with the estimated sand mantled area for

the Kara-Kum desert ~260,000 km2, and for the Kyzyl-Kum it is ~195,500 km2. Meteorological analysis of

wind and precipitation data indicate a low wind energy environment (DP<200) and sufficient rainfall

(>100 mm) to support vegetation. The age of the sand samples was determined as ~Holocene by OSL,

which provides an insight into past climate characteristics. GIS analysis was performed in parallel with

field work to validate and verify the results.

16

Intrusion of coastal waters into the pelagic eastern Mediterranean: satellite and

in situ based characterization

Efrati Shai 1, Lehahn Yoav 2,3, Rahav Eyal 4, Kress Nurit5, Herut Barak 5, Gertman Isaac 5, Ozer Tal 5, Lazar

Michael1 and Heifetz Eyal 2

(1) Department of Marine Geosciences, University of Haifa

(2) Department of Geophysics and Planetary Sciences, Tel Aviv University

(3) Department of Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute

(4) The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University

(5) Israel Oceanographic a Limnological Research, The National Institute of Oceanography

Abstract

Being an extremely oligotophic sea, mostly driven by the Mediterranean anti-estuarine circulation, the

eastern Mediterranean ecosystem is highly sensitive to changes in nutrient budget. Nutrient input to the

semi enclosed eastern Mediterranean basin is often attributed to deposition of atmospheric aerosols

and to intrusion of waters from the coastal area. As such, the eastern Mediterranean is an ideal

environment to study the impacts of coastal water intrusion to the pelagic systems.

This study was aimed at characterizing and estimating the environmental impacts of a coast-to-open sea

intrusion event on the pelagic water of the eastern Mediterranean, using multi satellite data and in situ

measurements. At first, we identified and characterized an intrusion event in the form of a distinct

chlorophyll patch from near real-time satellite derived information of sea surface currents, chlorophyll

and temperature. The satellite data was then used to decide on a sampling strategy that would include

stations IN and OUT of the patch. Through a high resolution survey we characterized its physical,

chemical and biological properties, and compared it with the properties of its ambient water. Our results

show that the patch is a quasi-isolated, relatively productive system that transports nutrient rich coastal

waters to the pelagic eastern Mediterranean.

17

Exploring the ‘Cloud-free’ Equatorial Pacific Corridor

Yaniv Tubul1, Ilan Koren1, Yoav Lehahn1, 2, and Orit Altaratz1

(1) Dept. of Environmental Sciences and Energy Research, Weizmann Institute of Science

(2) Dept. of Geophysics and Planetary Sciences, Tel Aviv University

Abstract

In this work we study the fascinating and counter-intuitive question: why from all places over the

oceans, the least cloudy region is located at zero latitude, in the center of the Tropical Pacific Ocean.

This oceanic region (referred as the Equatorial Pacific Corridor, EPC) is located between 200°-240°E and

1°S-1°N,at all seasons.

To explore the dynamical setting that produces such a unique zone, we analyze key atmospheric,

oceanic and cloud features according to their typical spatial and temporal scales. Global Data

Assimilation System (GDAS) is used as a source for atmospheric dynamical information and satellite data

by Aqua-MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) and CALIOP (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar

with Orthogonal Polarization) is used for ocean and cloud properties.

The explanation for this phenomenon involves interactions between atmospheric and oceanic dynamical

processes cascading from the global down to the cloud system scale. There are two well defined cloud

systems (over the eastern and western sides of the equatorial Pacific) that are dramatically different but

share one common property of high cloud coverage. We find that special environmental conditions over

well confined zone create a “laboratory” of dynamical conditions that are similar to the transition

between the sub-tropics and the tropics over oceans. The region of the lowest oceanic cloud coverage is

located along this transition.

18

Fully Constrained Spectral Unmixing using Gradient Descent Optimization and

Implementation Code Vectorization

Fadi Kizel 1, Maxim Shoshany1,Nathan S. Netanyahu2

(1) Technion–Israel Institute of Technology (2) Bar Ilan University and Universityof Maryland

Preferred presentation: Oral

Abstract

Spectral mixture analysis (SMA) is highly important for hyper-spectral image analysis and sub pixel data

extraction. In this paper we present a new method for spectral unmixing, where a vector of fractions,

corresponding to a set of End-Members (EMs), is being estimated for each pixel in the image. The first

step of the entire process provides an initial estimation of the fractions vector, and then a second step

of iterative converging towards an optimal solution is applied. The Gradient Descent (GD) optimization

technique and the Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) as objective functions were used. Analytical

formulations of the objective function gradient and the optimal step size, used to define the direction

and amount of the progress at any iteration, are presented. In order to reduce the computation time

consumed, we implement a code vectorization where the entire process is folded into one single loop

and all the pixels are solved simultaneously. The new Gradient Descent Vectorized Code Unmixing

(GDVCU) was compared to the widely common used Fully Constrained Least Squares Unmixing (FCLSU).

An assessment of both methods was conducted with a real Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging

Spectrometer image and nine synthetic images generated by randomly selecting fractions for two up to

14 EMs derived from this real image. Considering all these EMs for the unmixing solution (not knowing

specifically which or how many of them are actually mixed at each pixel), the GDVCU method

performance are close to those of the FCLSU but considerably faster.

19

Considerations in change detection for hyperspectral data

S. Adar1, Y. Shkolnisky and E. Ben Dor1

(1) Remote Sensing Laboratory, Department of Geography and Human Environment, Tel Aviv

University

Abstract

Change detection (CD) algorithms for Hyperspectral Remote Sensing (HRS) data have been used for

many application fields, such as environmental monitoring and security purposes. Although change

detection algorithms (CDA) have greatly improved in terms of quality of the results, their application still

requires significant computational resources, thus limiting their applicability. In this paper we examine

performance tradeoffs between more complex change detection approaches and relatively simple

similarity measures. The task used for assessing these tradeoffs was the identification of changes on a

large multi-strip mosaic data set, while still maintaining acceptable processing power requirements for

these needs. The data set for this purpose was two HyMap images acquired over the same lignite open-

pit mining site in Sokolov, Czech Republic, during the summers of 2009 and 2010 (9 and 7 strips

respectively). The site selected for this research is one of three test sites (the others being in South

Africa and Kyrgyzstan) within the framework of the EO-MINERS FP7 Project (http://www.eo-miners.eu).

The change detection algorithms that have been tested include Linear Chronochrom (LCC), Covariance

Equalization (CE), Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Multivariate Alteration Detection (MAD). As

similarity measures, we have been using Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM), Spectral Information Divergence

(SID), Euclidean Distance (ED) and Spectral Correlation Measure (SCM).

20

ל גובה מתוך נתוני חישה מרחוק היפרספקטרליים לצורך מיפוי תמאתי יצירת מוד

של כסות הקרקע.

1דור-, אייל בן1ירון עוגן

(1) Remote Sensing Laboratory, Department of Geography and Human Environment, Tel Aviv University

, שימוש במפות (LiDAR)סריקת לייזר ;של פני השטח כגון (DEM)שיטות רבות פותחו לצורך הפקת מודלים תלת מימדיים

טופוגרפיות עם גזירת נתוני הגובה באופן דיגיטלי, סריקה סטריאוסקופית של פני השטח ועוד. עבודה זו מציגה שיטה חדשה

רחבי ברמה לחילוץ מימד הגובה מתוך נתונים היפרספקטרליים הדמאתיים לצורך קבלת נתוני ההחזרה עם דיוק ספקטרלי ומ

הגבוהה ביותר.

אטמוספירת כדור הארץ מורכבת ממכלול של גזים רבים אשר חלקם מגיבים עם קרינת השמש אשר מוחזרת מפני השטח

ונבלעת בהם באורכי גל מסויימים. אורכי גל אלה, בהם מולקולות האוויר בולעות את הקרינה המוחזרת, משמשים להערכת

ם לשמש כמדד לצורך אמידת הפרש הגבהים בין החיישן ההיפרספקטרלי לבין הגובה המוחלט ריכוזם של הגזים ובנוסף, יכולי

של פני השטח.

ננומטר, ניתוח הנתונים הספקטרליים וכן 427עבודה זו מציגה את חילוץ מימד הגובה בעזרת בליעת אדי המים באורך גל של

במודל זה לצורך ביצוע תיקון אטמוספרי לנתונים בדיקות סטטיסטיות לצורך אימות מודל הגובה, זאת כדי להשתמש

תמאתי מדוייק יותר של כיסויי הקרקע השונים.-הספקטרליים לצורך מיפוי הדמאתי

21

Detecting and Monitoring Soil Salinity in Agricultural Lands Using Combined

Hyperspectral Data and Chemical Measurements

Livne Ido1 ,Goldshleger Naftali2 ,Ben Dor Eyal1

(1) Remote Sensing Laboratory, Department of Geography and Human Environment, Tel Aviv

University

(2) Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

Abstract

Salinity is an important impediment to crop growth and an indicator of soil fertility. It occurs

predominantly in semi-arid regions on irrigated agricultural land. To quantify soil salinity dynamics

through amelioration efforts, new methods are needed to precisely and cost-effectively assess salinity.

In this study we developed a remote sensing method to assess and monitor soil salinity in agricultural

fields using state-of-the-art remote sensing means in combination with chemical soil analysis.

In this research we mapped soil salinity in agricultural lands based on data acquired by air-borne (AISA

sensor) and space-borne (Hyperion sensor) imaging spectroscopy. The air and space data was calibrated

with ground truth spectral and chemical data.

The research covers a few agricultural fields in two different areas: Syr-Daryoin Uzbekistan and Jezre'el

Valley in Israel. Those areas are characterized by increasing soil salinity over the years, which results in

deterioration of the soil structure and infiltration rate. The main causes of salinization in those areas are

intensive irrigation followed by capillary rise of water. Those are combined with hot and dry summer

weather which causes intensive evaporation and formation of salt crusts in some cases. Local factors,

such as proximity to waste water reservoirs and poor drainage systems, contribute to increase the soil

salinity even more. In each test area soil sampling was carried out. The samples were measured with an

ASD spectrometer and chemically analyzed for electrical conductivity (EC) and main ions content. The

best results were achieved when EC measurements were correlated to soil reflectance continuum

removed spectra. As EC is highly correlated with salt minerals (such as NaCl) it can be a good salinity

predictor. The EC data and the measured spectra were correlated utilizing a multivariate calibration

analysis using Partial Least Squares Regression (PLS). The most dominant spectral features contributing

to the correlation were then extracted from the primary statistical model, creating reduced

multispectral model from the hyperspectral data. The final model was applied on the hyperspectral

images in order to produce a thematic map of the surface containing predicted EC values per-pixel. In

addition, the chemical measurements revealed high correlation between surface EC and root-zone EC

(30 cm depth). Using this information a sub-surface salinity map was generated by applying the

correlations' straight line equation on the surface EC thematic map. The generated maps were found to

be in good agreement with maps based on chemical and other data, produced in this study and in

former studies.

22

The results indicate that chemical methods which are correlated with remote sensing methods give a

correct picture of soil salinity. A spectroscopy based EC prediction model can be built and reduced to

relatively low spectral resolution. A model of this kind can be applied to air-borne and space-borne

hyperspectral imagery in order to map soil salinity in a fast, accurate and cost effective way.

23

Ground level analysis and classification of coral reef using a hyperspectral

camera

Caras, T1 and Karnieli, A1

(1) The Remote Sensing Lab, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion

University

Abstract

Sensors used for remote sensing of coral reef suffer of two key limitations - spectral and spatial

resolutions. Presented here is a novel approach to coral reef surveying using a hyperspectral camera at

ground level. The new system offers millimeter size pixels and 40 spectral bands thus empirically

bridging the gap between a spectroradiometer, hyperspectral remote sensing, and digital photography.

In this study, an image of a coral reef table is analyzed, highlighting the benefits of this technology. After

basic image preprocessing (conversion to reflectance, spectral resembling and glint correction) the

image was used to identify and classify coral reef substrates. Overall classification accuracy for 5 core

classes was 94% for glint corrected image and 82% for the original image. Imagery of this type can be

used for reef surveys and monitoring using automatic classification procedures, making them an ideal

tool for large scale survey.

24

VIS-NIR-SWIR בתחומי ASDספקטרורדיומטר של כיול שיטות

חישה פתרונותיארד –ד"ר אדם ד. דביר

אופטיקה האוספת את האור אליו. -או סיב עם קדם (bare fiber)עירום -סיב על מבוסס ASD שדה שלספקטרורדיומטר

הסיב משמש להעברת האור אל הספקטרורדיומטר בו נמצא סריג נפיצה המפריד את אורכי הגל. הקרינה באורכי הגל

ת הקרינה השונים נופלת על מערך גלאים לינארי המודד את עוצמתה בכל אורך גל. מערך דיגום ורישום של עוצמ

ביחידות נומריות כתלות באורך הגל )הספקטרה הנמדד( משלים את המדידה.

בדרך כלל משמש הספקטרורדיומטר למדידת ההחזרה הספקטרלית ממשטחים שונים )קרקעות, צמחיה וכו'(. דבר זה

דת הקרינה ומדי 1-נעשה ע"י מדידת קרינת השמש המוחזרת ממשטח ייחוס למברטיאני בעל מקדם החזרה הקרוב ל

המוחזרת מהמשטחים השונים. חלוקת הספקטרה השני בראשון נותנת את מקדם החזרה של המשטח.

עם זאת, לפעמים יש צורך במדידה רדיומטרית מכוילת של הקרינה הנמדדת ע"י הספקטרורדיומטר. לשם כך יש צורך

לכיילו כאשר מקור הכיול הסטנדרטי הוא כדור אינטגרציה. עבודה זו מציגה את הבעייתיות שבכיול הספקטרורדיומטר

ומציעה שיטות כיול חילופיות שיתרונן הוא -י גל בדידים שכיולו נתון ע"י היצרן רק באורכ -באמצעות כדור אינטגרציה

בכך שהן מאפשרות לבצע כיול אמין ורציף בכל אורכי הגל. יתרון נוסף לשיטות אלו הוא שניתן לבצען בתנאי שדה וזאת

עירום או עבור סיב עם קדם אופטיקה. -הן עבור ספקטרורדיומטר עם סיב

25

AISA OWL - Targets Invisible to the Human Eye - Next Gen Chemical Imager

Reveals Camouflaged and Hidden objects

Remote systems instruments – New developments Jonathan Burgheimer – Meteo-tech Company

Abstract

The OWL camera - the world’s most compact, high-performance Long-Wave Infrared, LWIR

Hyperspectral Imager to a Defense Customer in a strategic geographical location. The advanced

chemical imaging capabilities will bring a new dimension to port and harbor airborne surveillance, and

additionally to other defense and law enforcement applications. The strength of the technology is in

unveiling hidden or camouflaged materials, objects and actions. The complete delivery encompasses a

state-of-the art Aisa OWL thermal infrared hyperspectral camera, related software solutions, and a

service contract.

Thermo graphic and Forward Looking Infrared, FLIR cameras have been used widely for defense and law

enforcement solutions. Thermal imaging is the technology that enables the detection of warm objects

against a cold background even in completely dark conditions. Thermal Infrared systems can see

through smoke, fog, haze, and other atmospheric obscurants better than a visible light camera can. The

SPECIM Aisa OWL operates similarly to a traditional thermo graphic camera, with the fundamental

difference that each pixel additionally contains a full LWIR spectrum, unique to the molecular structure

of the target. The measured infrared spectra can then be used for material identification of the objects

depicted. Consequently, a single instrument can deliver reliable chemical and thermo graphic object

recognition without the need for a light source such as the Sun or the Moon, which is a major advantage

in target recognition, surveillance, and other defense applications.

The SPECIM Aisa OWL provides invaluable information in airborne chemical imaging, including geological

exploration, pollution source identification, and defense applications. The fact that US principal special

forces the Navy SEALs have reportedly used hyperspectral imagers in such high stage operations as

Neptune Spear, has proved the strategic importance of the technology, and raised world-wide interest

towards the capabilities of thermal hyperspectral imaging in defense and law enforcement.

In February 2011, SPECIM’s Aisa OWL was recognized by Frost & Sullivan as the World First Thermal

Hyperspectral Camera for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. The sensor’s low weight and compact size is also

one of the attractions of Aisa OWL for the majority of SPECIM customers, as it allows for quick and easy

installation in any aircraft, helicopter, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles UAVs.

Capture Precise Field Data in a Fraction of the Time with the new FieldSpec 4

The FieldSpec 4 cover twice the area in half the time, and continue to enjoy the same spectral resolution, with the new FieldSpec® 4 line of spectroradiometers!

The powerful full-range (350-2500 nm) Vis/NIR FieldSpec 4 line offers an astounding 2X performance improvement in SWIR 1 & 2 regions, a tough ruggedized cable, a smaller instrument case and improved wireless.

26

What’s New in the FieldSpec 4?

2X improvement in the SWIR 1 & 2 regions

Double the signal-to-noise ratio performance

Tough ruggedized cable withstands the rigors of field work

Increased portability with smaller instrument case, and a new travel cover for backpack

An expanded wireless range

The new line consists of three models:

FieldSpec 4 Standard-Res (10 nm): Suitable for a wide range of applications including hyperspectral image interpretation and validation

FieldSpec 4 Hi-Res (8 nm): Ideal for applications that require definition of narrow spectral features, especially in the longer wavelengths

FieldSpec 4 Wide-Res (30 nm): Perfect for multispectral and other areas of research involving materials

with broad spectral features such as plant physiology.

27

אווירית ספקטרלי בתעשייה עיבוד תהליכי של אוטומציה

Feingersh Tal1

(1) Israel Aerospace Industries, IAI

תקציר

לוויינים לשלוח לא ממהרות מדינות, ספקטרלית מרחוק חישה נתוני יישומי של מחקר של מהירה להתפתחות בניגוד

להוכיח מראש התעשיות את מחייבות זה מסוג השקעות גדולות של תועלת-עלות יחס לגבי החשדנות .לחלל ספקטרליים

להעלאת פרויקטים שני החלל הלאומי כבית למובי האווירית בתעשייה חלל-מפעל מבת. כאלה לפרויקטים( רווח)= הצדקה

. החלל האיטלקית סוכנות עם( מסחרי" )שלום"ו הצרפתית סוכנות החלל עם( מחקרי) ”וונוס: "למסלול לוויינים ספקטרליים

.ויקר הוא איטי ולכן ידני העיבוד רוב שהרי, הנתונים עלויות עיבוד הוא לרווחיות החסמים אחד

", חלליים"ל" מוטסים" נתונים עיבוד התרגום של משמעויות על, העיבוד תהליכי של מיכון של היבטים כמה על נעמוד במצגת

לדיוק שבין השאיפה המתח ועל, ספקטרליים-מולטי היפר ספקטרליים לתואמות נתונים מבוססות שיטות הצורך בהתמרת על

תוצרים. של ביישומיות ורווחיות ההכרח לבין מרבי

28

התרמי בתחום ספקטראלית-היפר מרחוק בחישה הצמחייה חקר

1לוין נעם, 1כץ טל

.העברית האוניברסיטה, החברה למדעי הפקולטה, לגיאוגרפיה המחלקה, מרחוק לחישה המעבדה (1)

תקציר

יצרנות( הנפוצים היישומים. חקלאיים ושטחים טבעי צומח ואפיון ניטור לצורך הוא מרחוק חישה של המרכזיים היישומים אחד

השמש קרינת ועיקר מאחר, החזרתי‐האופטי הספקטרלי בתחום משתמשים( ויבש חי צמחי חומר בין הבחנה, עקה, ראשונית

את להעריך ניתן' הטמפ סמך כשעל, העלים' טמפ במדידת מתרכז כה עד התרמי בתחום השימוש עיקר. זה בתחום מגיעה

-היפר מרחוק חישה של הפוטנציאל את לבחון מבקשים אנו הנוכחי המחקר במסגרת. הצמח עקת ואת בעלה המים תכולת

המחקרים של ספרות סקירת נציג ההרצאה במסגרת. עצים של שונים מינים בין להבחין מנת על התרמי בתחום ספקטרלית

בהצגת ונסכם, ראשוניות תוצאות נראה, בתחום שנערכו האחרונים למחקרים ועד העשרים המאה של החמישים משנות בתחום

.במחקר בפנינו העומדים האתגרים

29

The effect of land cover changes (LCCs) on rainfall-runoff relation at a

coastalriver basin: Yarkon-Ayalon case study

Noa Ohana1, Arnon Karnieli1

(1) The Remote Sensing Laboratory, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research,Ben-Gurion

University of the Negev, 84990, Israel

Abstract

Continuous changes occur in land cover and its distribution throughout time. Land cover changes (LCCs)

exhibiting trends towards an increase in built-up area, are followed by a complimentary increase in

impervious surfaces to water. This leads to an increase in the portion of runoff generating from the

overall precipitation and prevents rainfall from reaching the ground and penetrating into the soil. The

objective of this work is to examine the effect of LCCs, within a coastal river basin, on rainfall-runoff

relation. This was demonstrated upon the Yarkon-Ayalon basin. It was done by using two satellite

images (acquired in 1989 and 2009). The images were classified into six land cover classes, in order to

understand LCCs through space and time. Precipitation and hydrometric data of an extreme rainfall

event were chosen for modeling and validation purposes, respectively. Both the land cover data and the

rainfall data were then inputted into a physical –hydrological model, KINEROS2, using a GIS interface

designed especially for running this model. This resulted in an output of different parameters by which

the hydrological regime throughout the river basin could be examined and analyzed. It is expected that

the Yarkon-Ayalon basin, having gone through different LCCs over time, will show differences in the

hydrological regime among the time periods examined

30

Spatial interpolation of daily climatic data using geo-statistical methods in R

Michael Dorman 1, Avi Perevolotsky 2, and Tal Svoray 1

(1) Department of Geography and Environmental Development, Ben-Gurion University ofthe Negev,

Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel

(2) Department of Agronomy and Natural Resources, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani

Ctr, Bet Dagan 50250,Israel

Abstract

Climate is one of the most important environmental factors affecting ecological processes. Therefore,

accurate representation of climatic conditions is an important component in ecological research.

However climatic observation locations (e.g. meteorological stations) are often sparse and do not

coincide with observation locations of dependent processes (e.g. forest survey sampling plots). Thus,

instead of using the value of the nearest observation, spatial interpolation may be used to increase

accuracy. In spatial interpolation the value of a variable at an un-sampled location is predicted using

various methods, which may be classified in two main groups based on the way model parameters are

determined: deterministic models (e.g. Inverse Distance Weighted interpolation, IDW) and geo-

statistical methods (e.g. Kriging).

R is a free software environment for statistical computing and graphics1. R has a variety of both

standard and innovative statistical analysis methods from many fields, including geo-statistics, while

allowing programmed analysis. This makes R suitable for automated analysis and interpolation of spatial

data which is densely sampled in the time-domain (such as daily climatic data measured during several

years). In this presentation several capabilities of R for spatial interpolation will be presented, using a

case study. The case study aim is to examine the accuracy of several methods (IDW, Ordinary Kriging and

Universal Kriging with different geographical covariates) for spatial interpolation of 7 climatic variables

(rainfall, wind speed, minimum temperature, maximum temperature, minimum relative humidity,

maximum relative humidity and solar radiation) in order to produce daily maps of climatic conditions for

the period 2006-2011.

References

1 R Development Core Team (2011). R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R

Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria.http://www.R-project.org/.

31

Remote Sensing of Shrub lands’ Patterns and their relationships with biomass

along semi-arid climatic gradient

Lev Karnibad1, Maxim Shoshany1

(1) Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Abstract

In Mediterranean ecosystems, shrub land vegetation is influenced by fragmentation and aggregation

processes that are regulated by water availability and human disturbances. Those processes are

responsible for patch pattern formation of the vegetation and soil in Mediterranean shrub land regions.

We propose that mapping of shrub land biomass distribution can be based on the combination of patch

pattern properties and environmental information such as precipitation rates. At aerial photography

local scale shrub patches can be easily differentiated from soil background with the help of reflectance

differences. The obtained patch patterns can be then evaluated by landscape indices in order to assess

shrub biomass cover. However, at meso-scale of Landsat TM imagery, each pixel is represented by a

mixture of reflectance from several different types of surface cover. In this case, shrubs and soil cover

fraction can be estimated by means of spectral Unmixing. Then patch pattern properties can be

expressed with image texture properties of vegetation and soil fractions. If so, image texture properties

can be indicative of the regional shrub land biomass. In order to evaluate the influence of different

climatic environments and precipitation rates on shrub patch pattern formation and biomass cover this

approach was implemented along the climatic gradient ranging from Jerusalem mountains to Northern

Negev Desert.