Deltas
Using Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing
Abstract
Websites are a great way to get information out to a large audience in a short space of time. The aim of this website is to inform people about river deltas and how they can be studied and identified throughout the world using geographic information systems and remote sensing. This website covers the basics of river deltas using mapped examples. It also concentrates on the Mekong River Delta of Vietnam and illustrates the land uses and the changes from 1989 to 2009. This study will help to identify dominant land uses along with any significant changes that may have occurred. This is useful as it allows for future planning and for restrictions to be implemented if needed.
This world view satellite image is taken from Google Maps.
What are GIS?
GIS or a geographic information system is a system that is used to describe the earth and other geographies, it allows the
visualizing and analysis of geographically referenced information along with the characterization of this important information. GIS allows the use of integrating knowledge from a multiple of sources. It has been described as "one of the most powerful of all information technologies" (ArcGIS Resource Centre 2011). GIS allows for the manipulation of data and spatial images through programs such as ArcGIS. GIS can contain many different data layers which are used to create many different data structures, these structures include Rasta datasets which will be used throughout this website. Rasta data can be altered and manipulated in different ways, it can be changed through the use of different band combinations to alter an image and therefore identify features which many not have been previously obvious from the true coloured image.
Why is it Useful to Study Deltas?
GIS is useful to study deltas because it can show both temporal and spatial changes using maps from throughout the years. The use of layers also allows many things to be shown on the same map for example land use and hydrography. Also the management and planning of future developments or disaster potentials along with monitoring can be done through GIS.
What is RS?
RS or remote sensing is the science of observing and acquiring information about the earth's surface without actually coming into contact with it, from space. Through the process of interaction between radiation and features on the earth, sensing and recording of this reflected and emitted energy is how remote sensing works, it processes, analysis and applies that information (Hartl 1989).
Why is it Useful to Study Deltas?
RS is useful when studying deltas because it can similarly provide temporal and spatial information on land cover at a specific chosen time, meaning that comparisons can be made. Also multi-spectral optical remote sensing can show different land cover types, for example built up areas, vegetation (the types and its health) and water.
Research Design
