Characterizing Soil Erosion in Albania using Remote Sensing

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Characterizing Soil Erosion in Albania using
Remote Sensing

• Ryan L. Perroy
• Geography Department
• University of California, Santa Barbara

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Introduction

• Research Questions
• Importance
• Benefits and drawbacks
• Study Area
• Methodology
• Expected Results
• Conclusion

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Research Questions

• What does soil erosion look like on the ground?
• Can we see it from space?
• How can we map and quantify soil erosion from
  space?

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Importance

• Threat to food security
• General lack of data
• Traditional methods too costly

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Benefits and Drawbacks

• Spatial and temporal coverage
• Cost-effectiveness
• Relatively minor field-work
• Resolution (spectral and spatial)
• Mountainous terrain
• Unproven

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Study Area
Albania
Shkumbini Watershed
Vjosa Watershed
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Methodology

• Field measurements
• Acquire imagery (ASTER,MODIS, Landsat 7,
  Hyperion)
• Laboratory spectral measurements
• Process imagery
• Analyze results

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60 km X 60 km ASTER (partial coverage of Vjosa
watershed)
Sample Image
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Expected Results

• Positive identification of eroded areas
• ASTER-derived DEM of study areas
• Greatest success with Hyperion
• Established methodology for erosion assessment

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Conclusion

• Erosion is a serious problem
• Traditional assessment methods are not viable
• Remote sensing techniques have significant
  potential
• Data exists
• Albania is a worthy and valid test case