Abstract The family of Kappa indices agreement claim to compare a map's observed classification accuracy relative the expected baseline maps that can have two types randomness: (1) random distribution quantity each category and (2) spatial allocation categories. Use has become part culture in remote sensing other fields. This article examines five different indices, some which were derived by first author 2000. We expose indices' properties mathematically illustrate their limitations...

Assigning land title to collective landholders is one of the primary policies management agencies use avoid deforestation worldwide. Such programs are designed improve ability legally exclude competing users and thereby strengthen incentives manage forests for long-term benefits. Despite prevalence this hypothesis, findings about impacts titling on mixed. Evidence often unreliable because targeted according factors that independently influence conversion forests. We evaluate a donor-funded...

Objective To investigate the association between older adults’ potentially avoidable hospitalization rates and both a geographic measure of primary care physician ( PCP ) access standard bounded‐area access. Data Sources State licensure data from Virginia Board Medicine. Patient‐level hospital discharge Health Information. Area‐level American Community Survey Area Resources Files. Information Technologies Agency road network data. US Census Bureau TIGER /Line boundary files. Study Design We...

This research examines the spatio-temporal trends in Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) Global Inventory Modelling and Mapping Studies (GIMMS) normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) time series to ascribe land use change precipitation observed changes cover from 1982 2007 Mexican Yucatán Peninsula, using seasonal trend analysis (STA). In addition discrete transitions across study region, patterns of agricultural intensification, urban expansion afforestation protected...

This letter evaluated the use of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 250 m Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) standard product data (MOD/MYD13Q1 C5) to map damage caused by Hurricane Dean (August 2007) forests in Yucatán Peninsula Mexico using a two-step vetting procedure. Sequences MODIS EVI 16-day composite products captured before and after hurricane were compared against 93 field plots select an appropriate set pre- post-damage data. Aqua pairwise combinations produced...

Abstract Positional error is the produced by discrepancy between reference and recorded locations. In urban landscapes, locations typically are obtained from global positioning systems or geocoding software. Although these technologies have improved locational accuracy of georeferenced data, they not free. This affects results any spatial statistical analysis performed with a dataset. this paper we discuss properties positional in an address matching exercise allocation point to census...

This study explores the temporal and spatial variability change in rainfall across southeastern Mexico mechanisms by which smallholder farmers adapt to this variability, especially droughts. Members of 150 households 10 communities were interviewed investigate adaptation strategies among swidden maize smallholders, linked their perceptions climate changes. Precipitation data from seven weather stations analyzed for 1973–2012 period. anomalies estimated evaluate annual seasonal stability,...

This study maps interannual variation in the spatial extent of deciduousness dry tropical forests southern Yucatán (Mexico) from 2000 to 2011 using seasonal variability thresholds based on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) data and relates precipitation- temperature-derived climate variables linear regressions. The annual occurrence is most frequently observed located a regional rain shadow at moderate elevations. Regression results suggest...

Abstract Purpose To examine whether geographic information systems (GIS)‐based physician‐to‐population ratios (PPRs) yield determinations of primary care shortage areas that differ from those based on bounded‐area PPRs like used in the Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) designation process. Methods We geocoded data physician (PCP) locations and census block population counts 1 US state to construct 2 area indicators. The first is a indicator defined without GIS methods; second...

Challenges exist in monitoring artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) activities, given their dynamic often informal nature. ASM takes form through various techniques scales, including riverine dredging, which targets the abundant alluvial gold deposits South America. Remote sensing offers a solution to improve data collection, regulation, of more mobile elusive activities impacts. Mapping dredges using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is one application areas least explored. Three...

Within a GIS environment, we combine field measures of mangrove diameter, species distribution, and density with remotely sensed location canopy cover to estimate the carbon holdings northern Ecuador. We find that four estuaries Ecuador contain approximately 7,742,999 t (plus or minus 15.47 percent) standing carbon. Of particular high are Rhizophora mangle dominated stands found in-and-around Cayapas-Mataje Ecological Reserve in Esmeraldas Province, certain Isla Corazon y Fragata Wildlife...

Fire is one of the earliest and most common tools used by humans to modify earth surface. Landscapes in Yucatán Peninsula are composed a mosaic old growth subtropical forest, secondary vegetation, grasslands, agricultural land that represent well-documented example anthropogenic intervention, much which involves use fire. This research characterizes systems cover changes during 2000–2010 time period. We an active fire remotely sensed data series from Moderate Resolution Imaging...

Food flow data provide unique insights into the debates surrounding sustainability of land based production and consumption at multiple scales. Trade flows disguise spatial correspondence make their connection to difficult. Two key components this disjuncture are use displacement economic regional decoupling. By displacing environmental impact associated with food from one region another, trajectories can falsely appear be sustainable a particular site or scale. When coupling is strong,...

This article introduces a quantitative methodology for analyzing contested map borders. The applies the new analytical technique to data set of thirty maps showing Bulgaria in ca. 800 CE, disputed state and period medieval historiography with relevance modern national politics territorial claims. Based on set, we generate series that make explicit fluid boundaries general disagreement among geographers historiographers. Our analysis begins simple point-in-polygon procedure create majority...

Abstract With the increasing availability of Earth observation datasets, developing methods for identification modes variability is becoming crucial in system science. These modes, also referred as teleconnections, are useful to understand global climate and predict short-term variability. For example, El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon, a teleconnection with impacts, has been associated major social, economic, ecological consequences. In this study, novel procedure called...