Search NASA⌕ Search

Engineering topics

Welby, C. W.

Publications and source records attributed to Welby, C. W..

At least 19 records

Trophic state determination for shallow coastal lakes from Landsat imagery

A study has been carried out to develop a photo-optical technique by which Landsat imagery can be used to monitor trophic states of lakes. The proposed technique uses a single number to characterize the trophic state, and a feature within the satellite scene is used as an internal standard for comparison of the lakes in time. By use of the technique it is possible to assess in retrospect the trophic state of each individual lake.

Welby, C. W.↗

Application of satellite remote sensing to North Carolina. Development of a monitoring methodology for trophic states of lakes in North Carolina

Conjunctive study of four shallow coastal plain lakes in northeastern North Carolina and their LANDSAT-2 images demonstrates that it is possible to differentiate between the lakes and their respective trophic states on the basis of the multispectral scanner imagery. The year-long investigation established that monitoring of the trophic states of the lakes on a seasonal basis through application of color additive imagery enchancement techniques is possible. Utilizing a standard setting of the color additive viewer, an investigator can normalize the imagery to an internal standard of constant reflectance characteristics. By comparison of the false color renditions with a standard interference color chart combined with brightness measurements made on the viewer screen, one can relate the lake reflectances to their trophic states. Two or more bands of the imagery are required, and the present study established that for the lakes studied, Band 5 and Band 6 form a good combination.

Welby, C. W.↗

Landsat-1 imagery for geologic evaluation

The paper reviews the geologic evaluation of the North Carolina coastal plain using Landsat-1 imagery as related to a general study of the geomorphology to assess the imagery as a tool for upgrading the understanding of the coastal plain, along with recognition of subsurface structures. Among the more prominent features displayed on the Landsat imagery are the scarps and beach ridges associated with former positions of the shoreline. Compilations of various types of lineaments reveal two dominant trends, one northwest-southeast and the other northeast-southwest, which are significant in the tectonic development of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The synoptic view recorded by the satellite allows a perspective that aids geologic studies of the Atlantic Coastal Plain.

Welby, C. W.↗

Utilization of EREP data in geological evaluation, regional planning, forest management, and water management in North Carolina

The author has identified the following significant results. The S190A, S190B, and S192 photographs and imagery were studied, using standard air-photo interpretation techniques supplemented by color additive viewing and density slicing. The EREP data were found to have potential usefulness for natural resource inventory work, water quality monitoring, and land use mapping for specific problems at scales up to 1:30,000. Distinctions between forest types in North Carolina are limited to conifers, mixed conifer-hardwoods, and hardwoods. Geologic interpretation was limited to detection of lineaments; lithologic differentiation and soil group mapping have proved infeasible in North Carolina except for differentiation of wetland soils in the coastal plain. Imagery from the S192 multispectral scanner has proved to be capable of useful discriminations for vegetation and crop analysis.

Welby, C. W.↗

Utilization of EREP data in geological evaluation, regional planning, forest management, and water management in North Carolina

The author has identified the following significant results. Skylab imagery was evaluated, compiling vegetational and land use information in conjunction with a potential state park site fin along the Eno River in Durham County. Preliminary evaluation indicates that accuracy of identification was at the 90% level. Attempts at distinguishing between rock types in the Piedmont have proved generally unsuccessful, and recognition of linear features seems the best geologic use which the imagery can be put. The study concentrated on the High Rock Lake area of Davidson County. A study evaluating Skylab photographs for land use mapping in urban and rural areas of Piedmont North Carolina shows that S190A and S190B as well as U-2 imagery have almost the same accuracy when the interpretations are assessed with the square grid sampling method, even though the S190B imagery basically has a greater resolution.

Welby, C. W.↗

Vegetational analysis with Skylab-3 imagery

The author has identified the following significant results. Color infrared photography from Skylab 3 appeared to be superior to ERTS imagery in a vegetational study of northeastern North Carolina. An accuracy of 87% was achieved in delimiting species composition and zonation patterns of three coastal, vegetation classes. A vegetation map of Perquimans County, North Carolina, seemed to have a high degree of correlation with information provided by high altitude U-2 photography. Random verification sites revealed an overall interpretation accuracy above 84%. Comparison of maps drawn utilizing Skylab photography with North Carolina Dept. of Agriculture estimates of crop acreage revealed some marked discrepancies. The chief difference lies in the nonagricultural category in which there is a 30% discrepancy. This fact raised some questions as to the definition of nonagricultural land uses and methods used by the State Dept. of Agriculture to determine actual percentages of crops grown.

Welby, C. W.↗

Utilization of ERTS-1 data in geological evaluation, regional planning, forest management, and water management in North Carolina

The author has identified the following significant results. ERTS-1 imagery has been evaluated for use in resource planning and management in North Carolina, and found to be useful for general reconnaissance purposes in forestry, geology, and water resources work. It has also been used for studying large-scale transient phenomena such as river plumes and movement of sediment in the sounds. ERTS-1 imagery has been an aid to geologic and land-use mapping. Stereoscopes, projectors of various kinds, and microscopes have proved useful instruments for the kinds of data acquisition needed by resource planners and managers.

Welby, C. W.↗