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Low-Cost Mapping of Sabkha-Ecosystems Using Satellite Imagery: An Example from SE Qatar

Chapter
First Online:
Part of the Tasks for Vegetation Science book series (TAVS, volume 46)

Abstract

The article tries to show up an easy way to acquire satellite images (SPOT monochromatic/grayscale) for free, using the internet portal “Geoengine”, maintained by the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) of the United States. In a second step, these images (in this case sabkha-dune ecosystems in south-eastern Qatar) are loaded into a GIS (Geographical Information System)-program (ArcView® 3.2) and analysed for reflectance values, correlated with the values for known sabkha areas, that were taken during earlier field trips in Qatar.

The combination of satellite imagery and ground control points within areas of known geomorpho­logical and geoecological characteristics produces an approximate map of the spatial extent and distribution of sabkha ecosystems in south-eastern Qatar.

Keywords

Satellite Image Satellite Imagery Ground Control Point Download Time Digital Elevation Data 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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References

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.German Academy of Sciences LeopoldinaHalle (Saale)Germany
  2. 2.Freizeit- und Tourismusgeographie, Fachbereich VI Geographie/GeowissenschaftenUniversity of TrierTrierGermany

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